Back pain: many of us have suffered this at some point in time, at some intensity. It is still one of the biggest reasons why people seek medical care, and for many older men, osteoarthritis is the culprit. There are so many different options when it comes to relief, and surgery remains common. However, surgery may only reduce the symptoms, and not fix the underlying cause of the pain (especially if it’s from arthritis, which can’t be cured), unless the pain is from infection or cancer. It may be better to try out less invasive and more conservative treatments.

Key Takeaways:

• Back pain remains one of the top reasons people seek medical care for pain. For many older men, the source of their pain is spinal osteoarthritis.
• Finding relief is an ongoing struggle, but men should think hard before turning to surgery without first trying less invasive treatments
• You can’t fix arthritis. Surgery may help control the pain in some cases, so you can function better, but it won’t cure your pain

“Finding relief is an ongoing struggle, but men should think hard before turning to surgery without first trying less invasive treatments.”

Read more: http://www.health.harvard.edu/bone-and-muscle-health/turning-your-back-on-back-surgery