Back surgeries in Belgium increase by 40%

In the decade to 2012, the number of back surgeries in Belgium rose by 40%. For many patients however, an intervention doesn’t help and can even lead to complications, according to the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE).

The problem, KCE announced, is that for many patients, surgery is not the appropriate solution for their back pain. In most cases of unnecessary surgeries, patients complain about non-specific lower back pain for which there is no clear cause such as inflammation or a fall.

According to recent findings, a multidisciplinary approach of physical therapy is the best option in most cases. KCE argues in favour of more information for physicians, who should avoid back operations and reserve them for carefully selected patients whose condition cannot be improved through other treatments.

Health insurance mutuality CM said that surgeons’ fees should be based on quality rather than on quantity. CM also demanded that more attention be given to prevention, such as introducing patients to exercises that strengthen and increase the flexibility of the spinal column when they first experience back pain.