[Maria]

That's actually pretty common I think that people's complaints re back pain are pretty intense and the findings may be less "dramatic" per MRI. It's not that I didn't have findings as I did and for years plus when someone continues to complain of certain things for years that's different than complaining for a week or 3. I also had some reflex changes and so forth in terms of clinical findings that moved me towards surgery.

I tried to wait as long as I could before having my first surgery like from point of injury to point of surgery 1st time 8 years.

However I would say in a capitalist society where surgery means $ I'm pretty sure if someone complains loud and long enough and there are findings documented on MRI, CT and such then yes surgery will be performed if patient is seeking that and there's a surgery to fit the complaint/findings.

Insurance companies have had a tighter reign on things in the last 10 years or so and probably getting tighter though I don't doubt it's easier to get surgery here in the USA than in the UK for back probs as well as other.