Guidelines for the performance of fusion procedures for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Part 7: intractable low-back pain without stenosis or spondylolisthesis

Standards. Lumbar fusion is recommended as a treatment for carefully selected patients with disabling lowback pain due to one- or two-level degenerative disease without stenosis or spondylolisthesis. Guidelines. There is insufficient evidence available to support a treatment guideline. Options. An intensive course of physical therapy and cognitive therapy is recommended as a treatment option for patients with low-back pain in whom conventional medical management has failed.