Do You Really Need Back Surgery?: A Surgeon's Guide to Neck and Back Pain and How to Choose Your Treatment

I thought the information in this book was helpful until I got to the glossary in the back where it discussed none steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and listed Tylenol as one of them. Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory. It might be a minor thing and could have just been an editing issue but as a nurse that made the author lose a lot of credibility with me.

I applaud the author for writing this book, as he is right, there are no good, in-depth resources for the everyday person to really research surgery options. The book is perfectly written - smart, simple, to the point, and not at all condescending. It is really a great learning resource for anyone with back issues. However, my only complaint is that while this book covered many spinal conditions, it did not cover degenerative disc disease, which is a quite common ailment within the spine (and happens to be my condition). I also would have appreciated more stories about specific patients and in additions to statistics about success of various surgeries (such as fusion), his opinion and experience based on performing this work everyday in terms of outcomes for those trying to make a decision about surgery. Thank you for this book, I do think it is important and would recommend it, and I would definitely buy a book this author would write about DDD, as I could really use a resource like this more specifically geared to my condition.

This book proved to me I really do need the surgery. Far better explanations than all four of the doctors I've seen. I just hope the 5th one will help me out. The book is very easy to understand for the layman/patient. It has helped me to ask questions of my new doctor, as well as lots of very clear graphics to help with my understanding. Everything is covered from the descriptions of the injuries to treatment, medication and the surgeries themselves. This is an-dated version from the edition I borrowed from the library and it has been so very helpful.

An outstanding book: clearly written, logically arranged, and better illustrations than anything I could find online. And, although written for patients by a spine neurosurgeon (an M.D., Ph.D., J.D. no less), it does not patronize. Technical terms are italicized, making it easy to look up definitions where desired. The author is also refreshingly candid about controversies in the development and promotion of medical devices. I wish there were books like this for every field of medicine! It was really a godsend to understanding both my own condition, and some puzzling aspects of the way other back doctors behaved.

The best book or detailed pdf I've been able to find. Loaned to a physician who agreed. The only reason for not rating as five stars is lack of a more current edition.

If you are contemplating any type of back surgery or if you are recuperating and have any questions, this is the book for you. Well written, informative, and answers all the questions that you wished you had thought to ask your surgeon. Even if you've already had surgery, you will be glad that you bought this book. There are few books out there on back surgery that are written for the non-professional or that cover all the different types of procedures as well as complications. Best book on back surgery on the market!

I liked this book because it provides much more information that I have received from Doctors that I am seeing for back, or neck problems. I am now more informed to help make the choice for surgery, or not, and I am aware of the consequences of prolonging surgery. Most Doctors don't even inform you of that. Time is of the essence. Especially if you have a neck spinal cord compression.

Minimal info on cervical problems

Good book but arrived after I had had the surgery!! Useful if you haven't and need to decide but my decision was taken out of my hands. Cauda equina!!

Very interesting

Il libro è fatto bene le nozioni anatomiche tuttavia sono abbastanza basilari. Il libro è in inglese.certe parti sono molto chiare altre lo sono menoquesto libro è utile se volete arrivare ad una visita specialistica più preparati al fine di poter scegliere più consapevolmente oppure se volete approfondire la causa e le possibili soluzioni del vostro mal di schiena.Aaron filler è specializzato sia in neuro chirurgia che in terapia del dolore.Utile anche per problemi al bacino come ad esempio la sindrome del piriforme

I bought this book as a gift. The recipient was very happy with it. It gives a solid education about the science of the back and the possible treatments. There are no quick fixes but this book allows you to make informed decisions.

A book that explains back problems and easy to understand.