Back pain is incredibly common; it is debilitating, and can impede all normal daily activities, leaving the sufferer all but disabled.
But today exists a whole range of new treatments both conservative and surgical. Treatments which aim to ease symptoms relieve the pain and restore function and normality back to everyday life.
Incidence:
It is estimated that in the United Kingdom, that up to 4 out of every 5 adults aged 16 or over, will experience back pain at some point in their lifetime.
The vast majority of reported cases of acute back pain are classed as simple low back pain or as being of a 'non-specific' cause.
Three-quarters of patients have a significantly reduced amount of pain or will be pain free and resuming normal activity within 4 weeks; of the remaining patients, 9 out of 10 are pain free at 6 weeks
Back pain is more prevalent between the ages of 35 and 55.
Coming second only to the common cold, back pain is the most common reason for patients to seek medical advice, thus accounting for almost 7 million GP visits annually.
Causes of back pain:
A ruptured disc, also called a herniated disc, is a common cause of acute back pain. How to treat the back pain from a herniated disc depends on the particular individual and situation.
Discogenic back pain is thought to be a common cause of low back pain. Discogenic back pain is the result of damage to the disc, but without disc herniation
Spinal stenosis causes back pain in the aging population. As we age, the spinal canal can become constricted and tight, due in part to arthritis and other conditions. If the spinal canal becomes too tight, back pain and leg pain (or weakness of legs) can result.
Spinal stenosis is a progressive disease, finally leading to complete compression of the spinal cord and loss of the use of the legs. The patient eventually becomes wheelchair bound.
This debilitating disease causes back pain because neighbouring vertebra can become unstable and begin to "slip." The most common cause of spondylolisthesis is when disease or ageing of the spine alter the normal structures which stabilise or support the spinal structures. If the spine becomes unstable enough, acute back pain can become a serious problem.
Fractures of the vertebrae:
The small bones in the back can be fractured. Sometimes breakage can occur spontaneously, with small jarring movements or a slight fall.
In the case of fractures resulting from minimal movements a tumour would need to be ruled out. Some types of cancer can migrate to the spine and causes the vertebral bones to collapse with very little or no force at all.
A very common cause of vertebral fractures is osteoporosis, very common in the ageing population, especially women. This is a thinning of the bones, making the patients very vunerable to fractures. Your specialist would arrange for thorough investigations. And will take you through the treatments available to prevent further fractures in the back.
These fractures can be intensely painful and if unstable would need to be fixed into place. Stable fractures can be treated conservatively and your specialist would oversee your recovery.
As stated previously, most episodes of back pain last a few days, and will have completely resolved within a few weeks. If you have new back pain seek your specialist's advice.
If you suffer any of the problems below seek specialist advice or contact your GP immediately:
- Your back pain persists beyond a few days without a diagnosis.
- Your back pain awakens you at night.
- Your have difficulty controlling your bowels or bladder.
- You have a fever, chills, sweats, or other signs of infection.
- If your over the counter medication ceases to take effect.
- Severe back pain following a fall, slip or accident.
- If you experience numbness and /or difficulty in moving legs.
Treatment of back pain.
Your specialist will examine you and take your medical history to help him reach a diagnosis. MRI scans and x-rays will be used to confirm your diagnosis.
Once you have a diagnosis you will be offered the appropriate treatments specific to your case. They may or may not include:
: as prescribed by your doctor.
: as per prescription.
: to relieve your pain.
: if indicated.
.....Removal through a small incision, the part of a ruptured disc causing your pain and symptoms......a surgical widening of the tightened canal, relieving the pressure on the spinal cord. Primarily to relieve pressure, to restore function and to halt the progression of the disease
....a permanent fixture of the unstable portion of the spine using metal plates, screws and or bone grafts.
.....a minimal invasive surgery, cement is injected through tiny holes into the bones in your back. This is used primarily to fix unstable fractures of the spine.
.... Several tiny holes are made in the back. Through the holes a tiny metal dynamic (springy) device is inserted to support failing discs and diseased joints in the back. This operation can also be used for the treatment of instability and failing discs in the spinal column. We will talk more about this topic later.
