Read the following case report. A man gets hurt on the job. Being managed with many therapies that did not work, he gets back surgery. The back surgery did not work either, so the man develops what’s called “failed back surgery.” This sends him in a downward spiral of using ever increasingly stronger narcotics and opioids to mask the pain and feed his addiction. Finally, he needs to be hospitalized to detox from the pain meds.
Don’t let this happen to you.
Spine: 20 May 2010 – Volume 35 – Issue 12 – pp E549-E552
Iatrogenic Disability and Narcotics Addiction After Lumbar Fusion in a Worker’s Compensation Claimant
Parks, Philip D. MD, MPH, MOccH; Pransky, Glenn S. MD, MOccH; Kales, Stefanos N. MD, MPH
Abstract
Study Design. Case report.Objective. Describe a case of chronic occupational low back pain with various treatments of questionable efficacy, leading to prolonged disability, iatrogenic narcotic addiction, and opioid-induced hyperalgesia.
Summary of Background Data. Concerns about narcotics and other questionable treatments for chronic low back pain are increasing, especially in those with work-related conditions.
Methods. Medical record review.
Results. The patient had significant, persistent low back symptoms, but good function at work and home. He underwent lumbar fusion to address persistent pain, and subsequently developed failed back surgery syndrome. He was prescribed increasing amounts of opioid analgesics and was recommended for an intrathecal morphine pump, without evaluation of the safety or efficacy of his current regimen. Subsequently, he was hospitalized for opioid detoxification and substance abuse treatment.
Conclusion. Patients with chronic low back pain are at risk for receiving ineffective and potentially harmful treatment. A focus on restoring function instead of complete pain relief may lead to better outcomes in these patients.
Todd Lloyd, DC
Sonoma Chiropractor
Have you ever estimated how much money your family spends on pain medication per year? If not, calculate it now. (Take care to include over-the-counter drug costs, which alone can reach monumental sums.) Chances are you’re spending more on covering up your pain with drugs than it would cost to treat your family to a year’s worth of preventative chiropractic care!