Many studies including recent government ones on back surgery for painful herniated disks show no clear-cut reason to choose an operation over other treatment.

The pain and physical function of the patients, who were suffering from a condition called sciatica, improved significantly after two years whether or not they had surgery. John Ross, a Doctor at LSU sports clinic states “neither of the strategies offered complete relief.”

The condition involves disk cartilage bulging between vertebrae in the lower spine and pressing against a nerve. It can cause excruciating burning pain called sciatica, radiating from the lower back into the legs; patients often have difficulty walking.

About 250,000 Americans have disk surgery for sciatica each year, while another quarter-million instead choose physical therapy, painkillers or rest until they feel better. The surgery costs about $6,000, Weinstein said.

In support of this, one study involved 472 patients aged 42 on average who were followed for two years after being randomly assigned to surgery or noninvasive treatment, which included education, physical therapy or painkillers.  Surgery involved removing part of the bulging disc in a standard operation often done on an outpatient basis.

Patients in both groups had much improved scores on measures of pain, physical function and disability during periodic evaluations; differences between the groups weren’t statistically significant.