Disease & Illness
Clinical Documentation & Compliance
Chiropractic Research
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Last updated: Mar 06, 2024

Herniated Lumbar Disc: Conservative Care or Surgery?

Review of 2021 study: 97% success in non-surgical treatment for herniated lumbar discs.
Author
Dr. Charles Annunziata DC, CFMP
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Welcome to Chi-research

A weekly publication by ProCredits reviewing current research associated with the Chiropractic profession. In this week’s article, we are reviewing a 2021 paper from the Global Spine Journal evaluating the success vs failure of conservative and surgical treatment in the herniated lumbar disc population.

Herniated Lumbar Disc

Low back pain is thought to affect more than 80% of people at some point during their lifetime, making it one of the most prevalent medical conditions worldwide and accounts for the greatest source of years lived with disability in the US. The costs associated with treating low back pain are estimated to be greater than $100 billion annually and increasing faster than overall US health care costs. There are numerous causes of low back pain including herniated intervertebral disc disorders which affect an estimated 2-3% of the population at any given time.

This study looked at two separate treatments for disc herniations; conservative treatment, which consisted of Chiropractic, analgesic medications, steroid injections, and physical therapy versus lumbar surgery (microdiscectomy).

Out of 277,941 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniations, 269,713 were successfully managed with nonoperative treatments. That’s 97%! Furthermore, a cost analysis indicated that patients who failed nonoperative treatments billed for nearly double ($1718/patient) compared to patients who were successfully treated ($906/patient).

This article highlights the importance of being able to diagnose and treat lumbar disc herniations in the Chiropractic office. Over 50% of the conservative treatments included Physical Therapy with Chiropractic, therefore having an active care protocol to treat herniated discs is a must!

ProCredits offers hundreds of continuing education courses, many designed to develop the Chiropractor’s skill in evaluating, treating, and managing low back disorders including herniated discs. Check out some of these courses below:

  • Evaluation and Management of Low Back Disorders Level 1
  • Evaluation and Management of Low Back Disorders Level 2
  • Evaluation and Management of Low Back Disorders Level 3
  • Essentials of Lumbar Spine Rehab: Flexion vs Extension vs Neutral Spine

Chi-research by ProCredits

The herniated lumbar disc is for this week, learn more next week! Stay tuned for more insights and updates on chiropractic continuing education through Chi-research, your weekly publication by ProCredits. Join us every week as we delve deeper into the latest research and developments in chiropractic care.

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By taking advantage of this one-hour course, you will be able to further develop your skills and take your practice to a whole new level. This course is designed to provide you with valuable insights and hands-on experience that will help you enhance your knowledge and proficiency.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced professional, this course has something to offer to everyone. It covers the latest techniques, tools, and best practices in your field and will allow you to learn from experienced instructors who are experts in their respective fields.

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Video Testimonials

Before you leave this blog, why not hear from Chiropractors about their experience with ProCredits? By watching video testimonials, you can gain insights into the value and benefits of ProCredits from the perspective of Chiropractors who have taken Chiropractic Continuing Education Hours. Their firsthand experiences can ensure that ProCredits is the right platform for your continuing education needs.

As the chiropractic profession continues to evolve, the significance of continuing education cannot be overstated. Staying updated with the latest advancements, techniques, and research is paramount for chiropractors to provide optimal care to their patients.

References

  1. Lilly DT, Davison MA, Eldridge CM, et al. An Assessment of Nonoperative Management Strategies in a Herniated Lumbar Disc Population: Successes Versus Failures. Global Spine Journal. 2021;11(7):1054-1063. doi:10.1177/2192568220936217

Course Overview

Key Take Aways

  • 97% success with nonoperative treatment
  • Surgery reserved for treatment failures
  • Nonoperative care costs nearly half as much
  • Active care protocols essential in chiropractic
  • Continuing education improves treatment skills

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