Back pain is one of the most common reasons for visiting a doctor. She also often becomes the cause of disability around the world. According to statistics, more than 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 goes away on its own within a few days due to the inclusion of the protective mechanisms of the body itself. It can have a different character:
- muscle pain;
- shooting or stabbing pain;
- pain radiating to the leg;
- limiting back mobility
Which diseases cause back pain?
The causes of back pain can vary. Often this is 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, spondyloarthrosis;
- sprain, myositis, muscle contusion;
- scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis;
- osteomyelitis, epiduritis, ankylosing spondylitis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- intercostal neuralgia, diseases of the pelvic organs;
- spinal protrusion
- 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 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. Therefore, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help if:
- have trouble urinating or defecating;
- has a fever;
- pain spreads down the leg or radiates to both legs;
- the pain was caused by a fall, a blow to the back or other injuries;
- pain is intense and does not go away after rest and taking painkillers;
- pain is accompanied by weakness and numbness in the leg;
- pain is accompanied by sudden weight loss.
Individuals should also seek professional advice:
- over 50 years old;
- who have ever been diagnosed with cancer or osteoporosis;
- who are taking steroid hormones.
Which specialists should I contact?
These can be doctors of the following specialties:
- orthopedic traumatologist;
- neurologist;
- neurosurgeon;
- urologist;
- phthisiatrician;
- 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.Most 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 occurrence of problems with the spine;
- Overweight.Extra pounds create additional stress on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, leading 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 back pain.
Back pain diagnosis
In order to make a correct diagnosis, a number of studies are carried out.
MRI of the spine
The gold standard for diagnosing back pain is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Depending on the detected changes on MRI, in conjunction 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 proceed.
Diagnostic blocks
Diagnostic blocks are highly informative for confirming the diagnosis in patients with a complex, unclear clinical picture. For example, the effectiveness of the diagnostic blockade of the facet or sacroiliac joints confirms the axial nature of the patient's pain and is an important criterion for setting indications for radiofrequency denervation of the corresponding joints.
In addition to high diagnostic value, intra-articular blockades are a therapeutic procedure, have a pronounced analgesic effect with varying duration of action. In patients with radicular pain, diagnostic blocks may be performed when there is a need for additional diagnosis.
Back Pain Treatment
There are several ways to treat back pain:
Pharmacological therapy
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a pronounced effect, but their effectiveness in the long term is relative due to the rapid development of addiction and the risk of side effects. Muscle relaxants have proven themselves well, 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 selected by the doctor individually for each patient, depending on the patient's tolerance of drugs, individual sensitivity, and the severity of the therapy effect.
Treatment blockade 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 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 for 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, as well as a number of other surgical techniques are used.
Radiofrequency denervation
Radiofrequency denervation (RFA) is one of the most optimal methods of treatment 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, which allows you to quickly return to your normal lifestyle.