HUDSON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Alfred O. Bonati, M.D., internationally known orthopedic surgeon and founder of The Bonati Spine Institute, reports that, in his experience, the failure rates for open back surgery, as recently reported by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, are not out of line.
Researchers reviewed records from 1,450 patients in the Ohio Bureau database who had diagnoses of disc degeneration, disc herniation or radiculopathy, a nerve condition that causes tingling and weakness of the limbs. Half of the patients had surgery to fuse two or more vertebrae in hopes of curing low back pain. The other half had no surgery, even though they had comparable diagnoses.
After two years, just 25 percent of those who had surgery had actually returned to work. That’s compared to 67 percent of patients who didn’t have surgery. In what might be the most troubling study finding, researchers determined that there was a 41 percent increase in the use of painkillers, specifically opiates, in those who had surgery.
“This study provides clear evidence that for many patients, fusion surgeries designed to alleviate pain from degenerating discs don’t work,” says the study’s lead author, Dr. Nguyen, a researcher at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
“It is alarming that over 40% of the patients that we see at The Bonati Spine Institute are individuals who are suffering from Failed Back Surgery Syndrome due to traditional open back surgery performed at another medical facility,” commented Dr. Bonati. “This study provides clear evidence that for many patients, fusion surgeries designed to alleviate pain from degenerating discs do not work,” continued Dr. Bonati.
The Bonati Spine Procedures, utilizing patented methods and instrumentation, are a proven technique for the treatment of spinal disorders. The minimally invasive endoscopic laser spine surgery involves smaller incisions and less blood loss, and no general anesthesia, resulting in faster recovery. Dr. Bonati is a pioneer in introducing these techniques,
For over 28 years, The Bonati Spine Institute has been the leader in minimally invasive outpatient spine surgery. Alfred O. Bonati, M.D. was the first to develop and patent methods and instruments for laser spine surgery to correct problems of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, known as The Bonati Spine Procedures. Their success rate of over 90% offers patients renewed hope. Available only at The Bonati Spine Institute, these gentle procedures have been performed successfully more than 40,000 times to treat conditions that include spinal stenosis, arthritis of the spine, herniated discs, bulging discs, whiplash, failed back surgery syndrome, and degenerative disc disease. For more information, visit www.bonati.com.
Contacts
For The Bonati Spine Institute
Lagano & Associates, Inc.
Pam Lagano, 727-480-3082
plagano@laganoassociates.com