There’s a wealth of information in the peer reviewed papers at nejm.org that I plan to read over the following few days.

Surgical versus Nonsurgical Treatment for Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis – May 2007

Back Surgery — Who Needs It? – May 2007

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis – February 2008

Surgical versus Nonsurgical Treatment for Back Pain – September 2007

Surgical versus Nonsurgical Therapy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis – February 2008

Spinal-Fusion Surgery — Advances and Concerns – Februaru 2004

Surgery versus Prolonged Conservative Treatment for Sciatica – May 2007

A Comparison of Physical Therapy, Chiropractic Manipulation, and Provision of an Educational Booklet for the Treatment of Patients with Low Back Pain – October 1998

Spinal-Fusion Surgery — The Case for Restraint – February 2004