While cervical disc pathology can unquestionably produce radiculopathy, many patients presenting with arm pain, paresthesia or perceived weakness do not exhibit the clinical behavior of true nerve-root compromise. In these cases, failure to differentiate the primary pain generator may lead to unnecessary spinal injections, nerve ablation procedures or surgical consultation despite limited likelihood of benefit.
I.Q.-- Interesting Quotes
Surgery Goes Outpatient
It's startling to realize how many surgeries are now being performed on an outpatient basis. Surgeries that once routinely had patients in the hospital for a week are done in outpatient centers. Outpatient surgical centers of course greatly lower the expense of postsurgical attention.
According to a recent article in Medical Products Sales:1
"The nation's 1,862 surgical centers performed 3.2 million surgical procedures in 1993, according to a recent outpatient market survey conducted by SMG Marketing Group Inc., Chicago. The health care marketing and research firm estimates that outpatient surgical procedures will continue to grow, with an expected 60% or more of all surgical procedures would be performed in the outpatient setting as early as 1995."
These are just some of the changes being generated by medical/surgical practice guidelines.
References
- At least 60% of surgeries to be outpatient by 1995: study, Medical Products Sales, October 1994, 25(10), p. 14.