Blog post from our board member Dr. Robert Bacci: Surgical vs nonsurgical interventions for muscle & joint problems – Courtesy of Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW FINDS THAT SURGERY IS NO MORE EFFECTIVE
THAN NONSURGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
A musculoskeletal disorder is an injury or condition that involves the musculoskeletal system—which includes the bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons. These disorders are extremely common, as about 30% of Americans and 1.5 billion people throughout the world are currently affected by one.
Musculoskeletal disorders can develop anywhere in the body, but the spine is by far the most common location, as low back pain and neck pain are among the leading causes of disability in the U.S. Other common musculoskeletal disorders include osteoarthritis, tendinitis, strains, sprains, fractures, and tears of ligaments and tendons.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST DIRECTED CARE IS OFTEN THE BEST FIRST CHOICE
Patients with a musculoskeletal disorder are faced with several potential options when determining how to address their condition. Among these is whether to have surgery, which is often seen as a last resort, although many patients decide to have it much sooner. Patients should be educated on the risks and benefits of surgery versus other interventions when evaluating if it’s the right choice; however, high quality studies comparing interventions with and without surgery are less common for musculoskeletal conditions than in other medical fields.