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Back and shoulder surgery is often worse than useless

127 points · 144 comments · burntcaramel

  1. jader201 · · focus · HN ↗
    As someone who's going to the doctor next week to discuss potential shoulder surgery, this is timely.

    I really need to figure out whether it's going to make things better or worse, but unfortunately, that feels like something a doctor can't guarantee one way or the other.

    Any anecdotes or other experiences/thoughts are appreciated.

    1. RationPhantoms · · focus · HN ↗
      Single anecdata here.

      My mother-in-law has spinal surgery last christmas, the pain for her, prior to the surgery, was unbearable so it's hard to justify not running from that into the arms of a surgeon. The surgeon showed exactly what was to repair though so it was simple enough to understand and clear in the way it was going to help her.

      About 9 months out from that surgery and she doesn't have anymore pain.

      1. oarfish · · focus · HN ↗
        Of course there are reasons to do surgery, it's not all make believe. The point is more that it is overprescribed and that most nonspecific back pain does not correlate well with imaging "abnormalities" and surgery may be the wrong treatment.
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