Dr. Trang H. Nguyen Leads Study: Spinal Fusions Have Poor Outcomes for Workers' Compensation Patients

Spine

Trang H. Nguyen, MD, of University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, recently led a study that showed that spinal fusions led to worst long-term outcomes in workers' compensation patients, according to an article published in Spine.

Dr. Nguyen and co-authors identified 235 workers who underwent spinal fusion for low back pain from Ohio workers' compensation data. Most of the patients had degenerative disc disease, herniated discs or nerve root disease. The workers' compensation patient results were compared with the results of 725 patients who underwent nonsurgical treatment for back pain.

The research found that 11 percent of the spinal fusion patients had permanent disability, compared to the 2 percent of patients treated without surgery. The spinal fusion patients were more likely to continue using opioid drugs for pain management. Slightly more than 25 percent of the patients receiving spinal fusions returned to work, compared to the two-thirds of patients who received conservative treatment. Additionally, 27 percent of the spinal fusion patients received repeat surgeries and 36 percent experienced some type of complication.

"The procedure is offered to improve pain and function, yet objective outcomes showed increased permanent disability, poor return to work status and higher doses of opioids," said Dr. Nguyen in a Newswise report. He urged physicians that spinal fusions should be "cautiously considered" for workers' compensation patients.

Read the Newswise report on the study about spinal fusions.
Read other coverage on spinal fusions:

- Report Investigates Spinal Fusions Performed By Twin Cities Spine Surgeons

- The ISASS Defends Spinal Fusions


- Minnesota Insurers Resist Spinal Fusion Coverage

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