Surgery Best for Narrowing of Spine

(Page 2)

Surgery was twice as effective as nonsurgical treatment in addressing symptoms and improving actual function. Some improvements were seen as early as six weeks post-surgery, reaching their peak at six months and continuing for two years.

"I was hoping as a spine surgeon that it really worked, and we found that it did," Weinstein said. "It looks like from our results that surgery is better than non-surgery."

"People who received nonsurgical care did a little better, but not a lot. They pretty much stayed the same," Weinstein said. "Operative patients get a lot better, comparatively."

But there's an argument for both approaches. "One thing I learned is there's still a choice," Weinstein said. "Nobody got worse with or without surgery."

Another expert applauded the research.

"This study confirms what surgeons have felt all along," said Dr. Mark D. Rahm, assistant professor of surgery at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. "It points out that people who are symptomatic enough to want to do surgery can feel good about the fact that it will likely improve their overall condition."

More information

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has more on spinal stenosis.