Most back pain patients ‘do not require surgery’

OVER 90% of referrals of patients with chronic back pain referred to surgical clinics are a waste of time and could be treated by non-surgical means.

This is according to a survey looking at 100 consecutive GP referrals to an orthopaedic surgical outpatient clinic. Of that number, only six required surgery.

However, the large number of wasted unnecessary referrals caused long delays for those waiting to see consultants. Although priority cases could be seen within one month, others were left waiting up to six months for a consultation.