Information for the public

The condition

The condition

Chronic low back pain may result from changes in the spine caused by disease, age or injury. Treatments can include painkillers, drugs to reduce inflammation and manual therapy. If these do not work and severe pain stops the person doing their normal activities, surgery may be an option. Surgery may involve fixing parts of the spine (vertebrae) together, or inserting an artificial disc.

NICE has looked at using lateral interbody fusion in the lumbar spine as another treatment option.

NHS Choices and NICE's information for the public about the assessment and management of low back pain and sciatica in over 16s may be a good place to find out more.

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