Back pain is one of the most common reasons for seeing a doctor. It is also often the cause of damage around the world. According to statistics, over 70% of the world's population has experienced back and lumbar pain at least once. Fortunately, in most cases, there are ways to prevent or treat back pain. Quite often the pain disappears on its own in a few days due to the inclusion of the protective mechanisms of the body itself. It can be different:
- muscle pain;
- shooting or stabbing pain;
- pain radiating to the leg;
- Restrict back mobility
Which diseases cause back pain?
The causes of back pain can vary. This is often damage to the muscles or ligaments of the back due to heavy lifting, sudden movements or injuries. There are a number of diseases that can cause back pain in the lumbar region:
- osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondyloarthritis;
- sprain, myositis, muscle contusion; scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis;
- osteomyelitis, epiduritis, ankylosing spondylitis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- intercostal neuralgia, pelvic diseases;
- spinal protrusion
- spinal stenosis, spinal instability and fractures;
- sciatica, lumbago or lumbago, inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- from time to time - neoplasms of the spine, myeloma.
When should I see a doctor right away?
In most cases, back pain will regress without treatment within two weeks. If this does not happen, please consult a doctor. In rare cases, back pain signals a serious medical problem. It is therefore urgent to seek medical help if:
- have problems urinating or defecating;
- has a fever;
- the pain spreads down the legs or radiates to both legs;
- pain is caused by a fall, a blow to the back or other injuries;
- the pain is strong and does not disappear after rest and taking painkillers;
- pain is accompanied by weakness and tingling in the legs;
- pain is accompanied by sudden weight loss.
People should also seek professional advice:
- over the age of 50;
- who have ever been diagnosed with cancer or osteoporosis;
- who take steroid hormones.
Which specialists should I contact?
These can be doctors in the following specialties:
- orthopedic traumatologist;
- neurologist;
- neurosurgeon;
- urologist;
- phthisiologist;
- oncologist;
- rheumatologist;
- nephrologist;
Risk Factors
Back pain can affect anyone at any age, including children and adolescents. However, the following factors increase the risk of their occurrence:
- Age.Most often back and lower back pain occurs at the age of 30;
- Sedentary lifestyle.Weakening of the back muscles due to low physical activity is one of the factors for the emergence of problems with the spine;
- Overweight.Excess weight creates additional stress on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, which leads to the development of diseases;
- Concomitant diseases.Back pain occurs in a number of diseases, including cancer.
- Psychological disorders.People with depression or anxiety are at greater risk of developing back pain.
Diagnosing back pain
A number of tests are performed to make a correct diagnosis.
MRI of the spine
The gold standard for diagnosing back pain is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Depending on the detected MRI changes, in connection with the clinical picture and neurological status, the doctor draws up a treatment plan for the patient. In addition, the MRI picture allows you to predict how the disease will progress.
Diagnostic Blocks
Diagnostic blockades are very informative for confirming the diagnosis in patients with a complex, unclear clinical picture. For example, the effectiveness of diagnostic blockade of the facet or sacroiliac joints confirms the axial nature of the patient's pain and is an important criterion for determining indications for radiofrequency denervation of the respective joints.
In addition to high diagnostic value, intra-articular blockades are a therapeutic procedure, they have a pronounced analgesic effect with different duration of action. In patients with radicular pain, diagnostic blocks can be performed when additional diagnosis is needed.
Treatment of back pain
There are different ways to treat back pain:
Pharmacological therapy
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a pronounced effect, but their long-term effectiveness is relative due to the rapid development of addiction and the risk of side effects. Muscle relaxants have proven to be good, especially when used in the acute period. Antidepressants and some anticonvulsants are used with good effect in the complex treatment of pain. The treatment regimen is chosen by the physician individually for each patient, depending on the patient's tolerance to drugs, individual sensitivity and severity of the therapeutic effect.
Blockade of treatment performed under radiological control
Over the last decade, due to the rapid and pronounced analgesic and therapeutic effect, the use of minimally invasive procedures, including epidural and intra-articular blockades, has increased dramatically. Epidural block is the most commonly prescribed procedure for radicular disease. With the correct diagnosis and the presence of indications for this procedure, the effect of it is simply amazing! Pain relief is achieved over a period of 6 weeks to 6 months, which in many cases avoids the need for surgical treatment.
Neurosurgery
The range of neurosurgical operations for back pain is wide. Techniques such as spinal decompression, discectomy, foraminotomy, intervertebral disc replacement, minimally invasive and microsurgical intervention, and a number of other surgical techniques are used.
Radio Frequency Denervation
Radiofrequency denervation (RFA) is one of the most optimal treatments to avoid or significantly delay surgery. Thanks to it, you can not only quickly eliminate the symptoms of pain, but also minimize or completely eliminate the use of painkillers. Recovery after this procedure occurs quickly enough, which allows you to quickly return to your normal lifestyle.