Consensus at last! Long-term results of all randomized controlled trials show that fusion is no better than non-operative care in improving pain and disability in chronic low back pain.
Commentary On: Hedlund R, Johansson C, Hagg O, Fritzell P, Tullberg T. Swedish Lumbar Spine Study Group. The long-term outcome of lumbar fusion in the Swedish lumbar spine study. Spine J 2016;16:579-87 (in this issue).
Spine Centre Division, Department of Teaching, Research and Development, Schulthess Klinik, Lengghalde 2, 8008 Zürich, Switzerland. Electronic address: anne.mannion@yahoo.com.
Anne F
AF
Mannion
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0424 Oslo, Norway.
Jens-Ivar
JI
Brox
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7HE, UK.
Jeremy C
JC
Fairbank
D032921:Consensus; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D016896:Treatment Outcome