The role of fusion for chronic low back pain.

The demonstration of a rich nerve supply in the outer half of the disc and the occurrence of deep pain referred from the vertebral column to the leg without nerve root compression are both important aspects in understanding low back pain and in making a decision regarding its surgical management. Discography is invaluable as a diagnostic test in patients with chronic back pain if one is to demonstrate discogenic lesions. For sufferers of postlaminectomy syndrome, a difficult patient group, a simultaneous combined anterior and posterior fusion offers a real hope for relief of pain and rehabilitation.