Comparing Treatment Options

Long-Term Outcomes

At 5 Years

Treatment Satisfaction at 5 years Retreatment rate
Continued conservative treatment 40-60% --
Decompression surgery 60-75% 5-15%
Fusion surgery 65-80% 5-10%
SCS 50-70% 20-30% (including adjustments)

At 10 Years

Treatment Satisfaction at 10 years Notes
Decompression surgery 50-70% Degeneration at adjacent levels may develop
Fusion surgery 55-75% Adjacent segment disease is a concern
SCS 40-60% Setting adjustments or lead replacement may be needed