While nearly half of patients with a spine MRI were seen in surgical consultations, only 6.5 percent underwent spine surgery within three years, according to a study in the January issue of Spine. The study looked at 647 patients ordered to have lumbosacral spine MRIs and, ultimately, only 42 received surgery. Of the 373 patients with cervical spine MRIs, none had spine surgery within three years.
These statistics have lead researchers to believe that MRI scan results do not discriminate between those who will and will not need surgery. Thus, alternative spinal assessments should be explored.
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These statistics have lead researchers to believe that MRI scan results do not discriminate between those who will and will not need surgery. Thus, alternative spinal assessments should be explored.
More Articles on Spine:
How to Incorporate Robotics Into Your Spine Surgery Practice: Q&A With Dr. Richard Francis of Spine Associates
Dr. Yevgeniy Khavkin Joins Tristate Pain and Neurosurgery Institute
Private Practice Spine Surgeons Can Survive: Q&A With Dr. Ty Thaiyananthan of BASIC Spine