Variation in the Care of Surgical Conditions: Spinal Stenosis

Back pain is a leading cause of morbidity and disability in the United States. About 30 million people in the United States receive professional medical care for a spine problem each year. Low back pain is a leading cause of both lost productivity and medical expenditures. This report focuses on lumbar spinal stenosis as an example that helps to summarize the treatment options, epidemiology, and evidence of effectiveness of treatment for back pain.