By CARLA K. JOHNSON
Associated Press Writer
November 22, 2006, 7:04 PM EST
CHICAGO — Two big government-funded studies on back surgery for painful herniated disks show no clear-cut reason to choose an operation over other treatment. The pain and physical function of the patients, who were suffering from a condition called sciatica, improved significantly after two years whether or not they had surgery. However, neither strategy offered complete relief.
