Random Thoughts and Observations

You know, I just read the briefs of a new report in "Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, Aug 2010" that states that the overall incidents of complications of spine surgery are significantly UNDERESTIMATED. Holy cow!!!! And we wonder why there is a loss of faith in today's healthcare system.......
The statistics that I have seen is that spinal surgery has a 50% success rate, 25% success on the second attempt, and 10% on the third......... And these guys are telling patients not to even "try" Chiropractic. I remember as a younger version of me that we NEVER challenged the authority of the local Medical practitioner, so why would we challenge this? The difficult thing that I have is that most Medical docs that I have met are very honorable and hard working people. I cannot believe that they know the stats and purposely falsify the outcome expectations.
I am wondering why stats like this are not widely known and accurately described? If the reason is that fewer people would willingly undergo the $100,000 plus surgery, then money is the driving force. If it is money, then greed is the motivator, and it is wrong. And these docs are attempting to dissuade the use of Chiropractic as a possibility because it is money out of their pocket. I had a patient with three blown discs and dragging his foot back to work in a month with no restrictions. His cost was $1500 that the insurance company tried to fight..... and they authorized the $80,000 back surgery....... This was money out of their pocket.....
I am always hopeful that 95% of doctors are trying to do the right thing....... medical, chiropractic, etc. and that only leaves the 5% make us look bad. And I pray that I am in the 95% side.
I know there are no guarantees in what we do, but we owe it to our patients to give honest answers and to do our best. Underestimating statistics does nothing but further fracture an already broken system.......
I hope that you all have an awesome day and that you know that we at Midwest Multicare will do the best that we can for you...........
Doc