[Surgery for backache].

All types of lumbar pain are of course not an indication for surgery. However, an operation may bring relief from lymbodynia in given conditions, owing to the better knowledge of spinal physiopathology and to the evolution of the surgical technique. This is the case for intervertebral disk pathology, lesions of the posterior articular structures, lumbar canal stenosis, vertebral tumors or malunions, as well as for some cases of painful frontal or sagittal deviation of the spine. State-of-the art techniques utilize arthrodesis, often with a plate or CD-material osteosynthesis, but future surgery should be aimed at preserving motion.