EON

New York – The debate continues over whether patients with lower-back pain should get surgery or physical therapy.

Two studies released Thursday won’t settle the question, but both lean toward getting surgery, even though any operation carries some additional risks.

The studies were based out of Holland and at Dartmouth University, and compared surgery to physical therapy in patients with herniated or degenerative spinal discs.

Both treatments helped patients, but those who got the surgery recovered more quickly