Editorial on two chronic low back pain studies: A major change in surgical management of disc disease?

In two recent publications, the authors' hypothesis was that Modic type 1 changes seen in patients with chronic low back pain and herniated lumbar discs may be attributed to bacterial infection/inflammation. The first study showed that many herniated discs were infected with Proprionibacterium acnes, a common anaerobic skin organism, also found in sarcoidosis, and possibly, arthritic joints. In the second double-blind randomized study, 162 patients with disc herniation and Modic type 1 changes were treated with 100 days of oral Bioclavid (Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid) vs. placebo; those treated with antibiotics improved in all dimensions (e.g., reduced chronic low back/leg pain, reduced disability). Together, the implications of these studies for spine surgeons and pain practitioners are momentous. If a few weeks of oral antibiotic treatment resolves chronic low back pain, then much currently performed spine surgery (e.g. including internal fixation/fusion), as well as chronic pain management/rehabilitation and psychological strategies may be rendered unnecessary.