Low back pain is a very common problem that is increasingly being treated surgically. This book aims to evaluate carefully the possible surgical approaches to low back pain, with detailed appraisal of the factors leading to their success or failure. It begins by explaining the scientific basis for surgery and considering the different diagnostic techniques that may be employed, thereby elucidating the surgical rationale, indications, and contraindications. The value of conservative options is also assessed to help the reader weigh the need for surgery. The various surgical modalities, including the most recent, are then fully described and evaluated with the aid of numerous illustrations. The book concludes with a chapter devoted to evidence-based analysis of the outcome of surgery in patients with low back pain. This book will be invaluable to orthopaedic and neurosurgeons, rheumatologists, neurologists, and all who are concerned with the effective treatment of this often debilitating condition.

Basics: Biology of intervertebral disc degeneration

Low back pain: where does the pain come from?- Role of Cytokynes in the degenerative spine
Psychosocial aspects of LBP
Instability and LBP. Diagnosis: Dynamic MRI of the spine
Assessment of end plate and diffusion in degenerative disc disease
The role of physician extender in a low back pain practice. Conservative Treatment: Natural evolution of non specific LBP
Prescribing Conservative treatment for LBP
Comprehensive rehab for LBP and back schools
The place of chiropractic care in the treatment of low back pain
The place of IDET
Lumbar orthosis to prevent and treat low back pain. Surgical Treatment (Fusion): Indications for lumbar spinal fusion
Evidence for efficacy of pedicle based systems
Low back pain is not an indication for stabilization in patients operated for lumbar spinal stenosis
Hybrid Construct for DDD in the Lumbar Spine: The compromise between fusion and non fusion
The Management of Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
TPDC fixation for spondylolisthesis
Facet problems: a surgical indication?- Adjacent Level Disease: 'Myth' or 'Fact'
Pelvic girdle pain: Indication for surgery?- Blood loss management in major spine surgery. Surgical Treatment (Other Technologies): How Disc Replacement Fits in the Treatment Algorithm for Degenerative Disc Disease: Refining Indications for Disc Replacement
Clinical factors that may affect outcome in lumbar total disc replacement. What is the evidence?- A Prospective Randomized Comparison of Two Lumbar Total Disc Replacements
Limitations of total disc arthroplasty
Is posterior dynamic stabilization an option to avoid adjacent segment decompression
Immediate biomechanical effect of lumbar posterior dynamic stabilization
Overview of Pedicle Screw Based Posterior Dynamic Stabilization Systems
Semirigid Fixation System for the Lumbar Spine
Non rigid stabilization of the spine - problems observed: screw loosening, breakage, implant failure, adajacent segment degeneration
Interspinous devices
NuBac Disc Arthroplasty System, rationale and clinical results
Outcomes: Outcome assessment
Review of the medical evidence regarding the surgical treatment of low back pain.