Back pain is one of the most common reasons to visit a doctor. Often, it also becomes the cause of disability throughout the world. According to statistics, more than 70% of the world's population has experienced low back and back pain at least once. Fortunately, in most cases, there are ways to prevent or treat back pain. Most often, the pain goes away on its own within a few days due to the inclusion of the body's own protective mechanisms. It can have a different character:
- muscle pain;
- shooting or stabbing pain;
- pain radiating to the leg;
- limit back mobility
What diseases cause back pain?
The causes of back pain can vary. This is often damage to the back muscles or ligaments from heavy lifting, sudden movements, or injuries. There are a number of diseases that can cause back pain in the lumbar region:
- osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis;
- sprain, myositis, muscle contusion;
- scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis;
- osteomyelitis, epiduritis, ankylosing spondylitis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- intercostal neuralgia, diseases of the pelvic organs;
- spinal bulge
- spinal stenosis, spinal instability and fractures;
- sciatica, lumbago or lumbago, inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- occasionally: neoplasms of the spine, myeloma.
When should I see a doctor right away?
In most cases, back pain will resolve without treatment within two weeks. If this does not happen, consult a doctor. In rare cases, back pain indicates a serious medical problem. Therefore, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help if:
- has trouble urinating or defecating;
- has a fever;
- pain spreads up leg or radiates to both legs;
- the pain was caused by a fall, a blow to the back, or other injuries;
- the pain is severe and does not go away after resting and taking pain relievers;
- pain is accompanied by leg weakness and numbness;
- The pain is accompanied by a sudden weight loss.
People should also seek professional advice:
- older than 50 years;
- who have ever been diagnosed with cancer or osteoporosis;
- who are taking steroid hormones.
Which specialists should I contact?
They can be doctors of the following specialties:
- orthopedic traumatologist;
- neurologist;
- neurosurgeon;
- urologist;
- fthisiatra;
- oncologist;
- rheumatologist;
- nephrologist;
Risk factors
Back pain can occur in absolutely anyone at any age, including children and adolescents. However, the following factors increase the risk of their occurrence:
- Age.Very often, pain in the back and lower back appears at the age of 30;
- Sedentary lifestyle.The weakening of the back muscles due to low physical activity is one of the factors in the appearance of problems in the spine;
- Overweight.Extra pounds create additional stress on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, which leads to the development of disease;
- Concomitant diseases.Back pain occurs in several diseases, including cancer.
- Psychological disorders.People with depression or anxiety are at higher risk for back pain.
Back pain diagnosis
To make a correct diagnosis, a series of studies are carried out.
Column MRI
The gold standard for diagnosing back pain is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Depending on the changes detected on the MRI, along with the clinical picture and neurological status, the doctor develops a treatment plan for the patient. Also, the MRI image allows you to predict how the disease will develop.
Diagnostic blocks
Diagnostic blocks are very informative in confirming the diagnosis in patients with a complex and 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 establishing indications for radiofrequency denervation of the corresponding joints.
In addition to a high diagnostic value, intra-articular blocks are a therapeutic procedure, they have a pronounced analgesic effect with a variable duration of action. In patients with radicular pain, diagnostic blocks can be performed when further diagnosis is necessary.
Treatment of back pain
There are different ways to treat back pain:
Drug therapy
Nonsteroidal 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 their effectiveness, especially when used in the acute period. Antidepressants and some anticonvulsants are used with good results in complex pain management. The doctor selects the treatment regimen individually for each patient, depending on the patient's tolerance to drugs, individual sensitivity and the severity of the effect of therapy.
Blockade treatment performed under radiological control
In the last decade, due to the rapid and pronounced analgesic and therapeutic effect, the use of minimally invasive procedures, including epidural and intra-articular blocks, has increased dramatically. Epidural block is the most commonly prescribed procedure for root disease. With the correct diagnosis and the presence of indications for this procedure, the effect 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 spectrum of neurosurgical operations for back pain is wide. Techniques such as spinal cord decompression, discectomy, foraminotomy, intervertebral disc replacement, minimally invasive and microsurgery are used, as well as a number of other surgical techniques.
Radio frequency denervation
Radiofrequency denervation (RFA) is one of the most optimal treatments to avoid or significantly delay surgery. Thanks to him, you can not only quickly eliminate pain symptoms, but also minimize or completely exclude the use of painkillers. Recovery after this procedure occurs quickly enough, allowing you to quickly return to your normal lifestyle.