Does everyone with chronic neck pain need invasive procedures?
Hello
We have long held the belief that invasive procedures, like surgery and injections do more harm than good.
We have gained this view from seeing firsthandhow much damage they doto people. How often the surgeons, after the operation is done, wash their hands of the patients and as their work is done. Leaving them to suffer the complications of a failed surgery.
In this article we will learn how even world leading experts share this same view.
Let’s read what they say.
In referring to neck and back nerve blocks like rhizotomies “Targeted heat from an electrical current to ease nerve pain—may be helpful for treating chronic neck pain, but only in patients meeting particular criteria.”
So they are not a treatment that everyone with neck pain should get. They are not smarties that you gave everyone on their playground.
They go on to say, “while the application of nerve blocks is likely to be far more useful in identifying these patients than steroid injections into the joints, only one block rather than the mandated two is required, says the guidance, drawn up by an international panel of 22 experts from 18 professional societies and government bodies.”
“While dual blocks may increase the success rate of radiofrequency ablation, the evidence indicates that doubling up will result in a significant proportion of unnecessary procedures and higher costs, the guidance concludes.”
“The use of procedures, such as joint injections, nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation to ease chronic neck pain, has soared over the past two decades. But their diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness remains in doubt, while each carries a risk of complications.
Nor is it clear which patients might stand to benefit the most from any of these procedures. This has led to inconsistencies in clinical practice, patient safety concerns, and disputes with medical insurers, particularly around the use of radiofrequency ablation, the use of which has increased 112% over the past decade.”
Even the authors know there is doubt that they even work. Why would you let them do double what they should and do it more often?
The cost to you in time, money and risk to complications is large.
Are you still sure that you want to do it?
Jason
