Interactive Tool: Should I Consider Surgery for My Low Back Problem?

What’s next?

If you are concerned about back pain or other related symptoms such as leg pain, numbness, or weakness, talk to your doctor about what steps you can take. If surgery is unlikely to help, you can still take action to reduce and control your symptoms.

Return to the topic:

• Herniated Disc
• Low Back Pain

Works consulted:

Carragee EJ, Hannibal M (2004). Diagnostic evaluation of low back pain. Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 35(2004): 7–16.

Hu SS, et al. (2006). Lumbar disc herniation section of Disorders, diseases, and injuries of the spine. In HB Skinner, ed., Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Orthopedics, 4th ed., pp. 246–249. New York: McGraw-Hill.

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Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH	Last Updated: November 30, 2009
Medical Review:	William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
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