Avoid referring for surgical treatment of musculoskeletal conditions when research shows rehabilitation is equally effective or better

Rationale:  

Age-related changes in joints and the spine often have no clear connection to pain. For many conditions, conservative treatments yield results that are as good as or better than surgery while also carrying fewer serious complications. 

References:

• https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h2747.full     
• https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09638288.2014.907364?fbclid=IwAR25oNN3AmL_LoGIU3VvPhbvD-E-2UIH3gswMvJEnyIW1X8vXWO9bu6LOY0
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23104514
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26824399