09-06-2017, 11:41 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-06-2017, 12:00 PM by California_Help.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertlangr...f05b07519d
The article above is good. It mentions back pain and not situation where you have for example loss of bladder control, function, fractured vertebrae, it is about fusions being given for back pain.
I can tell you I have rarely seen patients improved by these procedures, or just temporarily improved and then the discs above and below are affected and additional problems arise. Always get several opinions before considering a spinal fusion. Research your surgeon, devices and products he plans on using and also the approach. There are several different types of fusions and ways to do this surgery. For example, for lumbar fusions anterior (through the stomach) approach is not covered, or only in certain situations by some private insurance companies due to it being considered investigational and dangerous.
The article mentions it has shown not to work any better than physical therapy. Well, for California injured workers this can be a problem. In California, there is a lifetime cap for physical therapy at 24 sessions. This is IF you are lucky to make it through utilization review to actually get the 24 sessions. I have read some claims adjusters comments about this, stating the patient can be given home exercises to do. This may work for some injuries, but there are limits to home exercise for one there is no one to tell the patient new exercises to advance to, or watch and see areas that are an issue etc. I hope this does not sway ANYONE from doing home exercise as it is beneficial. Staying stagnant will make everything worse.
The article above is good. It mentions back pain and not situation where you have for example loss of bladder control, function, fractured vertebrae, it is about fusions being given for back pain.
I can tell you I have rarely seen patients improved by these procedures, or just temporarily improved and then the discs above and below are affected and additional problems arise. Always get several opinions before considering a spinal fusion. Research your surgeon, devices and products he plans on using and also the approach. There are several different types of fusions and ways to do this surgery. For example, for lumbar fusions anterior (through the stomach) approach is not covered, or only in certain situations by some private insurance companies due to it being considered investigational and dangerous.
The article mentions it has shown not to work any better than physical therapy. Well, for California injured workers this can be a problem. In California, there is a lifetime cap for physical therapy at 24 sessions. This is IF you are lucky to make it through utilization review to actually get the 24 sessions. I have read some claims adjusters comments about this, stating the patient can be given home exercises to do. This may work for some injuries, but there are limits to home exercise for one there is no one to tell the patient new exercises to advance to, or watch and see areas that are an issue etc. I hope this does not sway ANYONE from doing home exercise as it is beneficial. Staying stagnant will make everything worse.
I am not an attorney.Anything I write should not be considered legal advice.I am writing from my own personal experiences,which is not from any sort of legal background. You should consult with an attorney over legal issues. In California, if you cannot get an attorney you can consult with an I&A officer.
