Health Care Costs After Lumbar Fusion and Disk Replacement for Diskogenic Pain

Lumbar fusion is the most common surgical intervention for chronic or severe low back pain. However, lumbar disk replacement (LDR) may be appropriate for certain patients. The objective of this study was to describe the postoperative management costs associated with both lumbar fusion and LDR in the 2-year period after surgery.

An observational cohort study was conducted using the Merative MarketScan databases. Patients who underwent lumbar fusion or LDR between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, were identified and included in the study. The primary outcome was the cost of payments for physical therapy, pain medication, injections, and bladder management in the 2-year period after surgery.

A total of 1660 patients (mean age, 50.1±10.6 years; lumbar fusion, 99%; LDR, 1%) were included in the study. The mean total cost of postoperative interventions identified was $2832±$5461 per patient, with no differences found between patients for identified interventions. The mean 30-day episode-of-care cost was $65,777±$40,869 and was similar (P=.894) between the two groups of patients. The main driver of cost was physical therapy for both groups of patients (lumbar fusion, 53.7%; LDR, 64.9%).

Patients who underwent lumbar fusion and LDR had similar postoperative management costs. The shorter recovery periods associated with LDR may not necessarily translate into reduced long-term health care expenditure. [Orthopedics. 2025;48(2):117-120.].