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      The most common indication for surgery in persons aged over 60 in the United States is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS). Currently, it is estimated that as many as 400,000 Americans, most over the age of 60, may already be suffering from the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, and this number is expected to grow as members of the baby boom generation begin to reach their 60s over the next decade.

      The majority of adults will experience pain from a lumbar, cervical or thoracic spine problem in their lifetime. Some estimates claim that 90 percent of the U.S. population may have significant back pain at some point. Back and neck problems are the most commonly occurring in medicine, and the second most common neurological ailment in the United States, second only to headaches. Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back and neck pain treatment, the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work.

      Acute back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain is the result of an injury to the lower back or from a disorder such as arthritis. Acute pain may be caused by a sports injury, everyday tasks, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident. Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting pain, limited flexibility or range of motion, or an inability to stand straight.

      When back pain occurs repeatedly, it is known as recurrent back pain. And back pain lasting more than three months and that doesn't improve within three to four weeks of medication, is considered as chronic back pain. There are approximately 5 million people in the U.S. currently suffering with chronic back pain.

      Chronic pain caused by spine problems can seem very complex, since often the severity of the pain is not a true indicator of the severity of the problem. There are nearly 100 different symptoms that can be attributed to problems originating in the spine. The most common, and potentially the most disabling, spine problem is stenosis of the lumbar canal. In most cases, stenosis of the lumbar canal can be attributed to acquired degenerative or arthritic changes in the intervertebral discs, ligaments and facet joint surrounding the lumbar canal.

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