Multidisciplinary Evaluation Improves the Value of Lumbar Spine Care

Rates of lumbar spine surgery in the United States have increased eightfold over the last three decades. While lumbar spine surgery has been shown to be effective in some randomized controlled trial settings, other nationwide analyses show overall outcomes no better than nonoperative care. There are many variables that influence the choice of therapy for spinal disease, and patient variables have powerful effects on outcomes; multidisciplinary decision-making improves outcomes in many domains.