Scott L. Blumenthal, MD (Texas Back Institute), Rolando Garcia Jr., MD, MPH (Miami, FL) and Gregory D. Schroeder, MD (The Rothman Institute) answer the question of whether surgery is an option for axial back pain.

Disclosures:

Blumenthal, Scott L.: Royalties: Aesculap (A); Stock Ownership: FzioMed (<1%), VertiFlex (<1%), Centinel Spine (less than 1%); Consulting: Sites Medical (None), Aesculap (C), Vertera (None), Bayliss Medical (C), Orthofix (None); Speaking and/or Teaching Arrangements: Aesculap (D), VertiFlex (B), Bayliss (None); Scientific Advisory Board: Aesculap (B), FzioMed (None), VertiFlex (B).

Garcia, Rolando: Consulting: Aesculap Implant Systems (C), Centinel Spine (A); Device or Biologic Distribution Group (Physician-Owned Distributorship): Aesculap (C); Scientific Advisory Board: Aesculap Implant System (B); Speaking and/or Teaching Arrangements: Aesculap Implant Systems (Travel Expense Reimbursement); Trips/Travel: Aesculap Implant Systems (Travel Expense Reimbursement).

Schroeder, Gregory Douglas: Board of Directors: CSRS, Clinical Spine Surgery (Nonfinancial); Consulting: Zimmer (C), Stryker (C), Advanced Medical (C), Medtronic (C); Trips/Travel: Aospine (C).

Key: A: $100-$1,000; B: $1001-$10,000; C: $10,001-$25,000; D: $25,001-$50,000; E: $50,001-$100,000; F: $100,001- $500,000; G: $500,001-$1M; H: $1,000,001- $2.5M; I: $2.5M+