A recent study published in the journal Spine looked at the effect of lumbar fusion in specific diagnoses in Worker's Compensation cases concluding, " Lumbar fusion for the diagnoses of disc degeneration, disc herniation, and/or radiculopathy in a WC setting is associated with significant increase in disability, opiate use, prolonged work loss, and poor RTW status." Free download of the article published in February 2011 - Click HERE