By John Fox, Andrew Haig, Briad Todey, Sastish Challa
In the United States, spinal disorders have increased and become a societal burden causing pain, disability, loss of work productivity, and increase in cost. For these disorders, surgery is an intervention sought out. Currently, the rate of spinal surgery has increased and compared to other developed countries, the US has the highest rate of surgery. In 2007, a study was conducted that required patients desiring surgical evaluation for nonurgent spine-related pain or disability to first be evaluated by a physiatrist. With increased physiatry evaluations, the number of surgical consultations, surgical procedures on the spine, and cost decreased. A consultation with a physiatrist is able to give patients an expert, balanced understanding of their diagnosis and non-invasive treatment options.
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