Back pain is one of the most common reasons for a doctor's visit. It is also often the cause of disability worldwide. According to statistics, more than 70% of the world's population has back and loin pain at least once. Fortunately, in most cases there are ways to prevent or treat back pain. Very often the pain disappears on its own within a few days, as the protective mechanisms of the body itself are involved. It can have a different character:
- muscle pain;
- stabbing or stabbing pain;
- pain radiating to the leg;
- Restriction of back mobility
Which diseases cause back pain?
The causes of back pain can vary. Often times, this is damage to the muscles or ligaments of the back from heavy lifting, sudden movements, or injury. There are a number of diseases that can cause back pain in the lumbar spine:
- osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis;
- sprain, myositis, muscle contusion;
- scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis;
- osteomyelitis, epiduritis, ankylosing spondylitis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- intercostal neuralgia, diseases of the pelvic organs;
- Spine protrusion
- stenosis of the spine, instability of the spine and fractures;
- Sciatica, lumbago or lumbago, inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- occasionally - neoplasms of the spine, myeloma.
When should I see a doctor immediately?
In most cases, the back pain resolves within two weeks without treatment. If this is not the case, please consult a doctor. In rare cases, back pain indicates a serious medical problem. Therefore, there is an urgent need to seek medical help if:
- have problems urinating or defecating;
- has a fever;
- Pain spreads down the leg or radiates to both legs;
- The pain was caused by a fall, hit on the back, or other injury.
- Pain is intense and does not go away after resting and taking painkillers.
- Pain is associated with weakness and numbness in the leg;
- Pain is associated with sudden weight loss.
Individuals should also seek professional advice:
- over 50 years old;
- who have ever been diagnosed with cancer or osteoporosis;
- are taking the steroid hormones.
Which specialists should I contact?
These can be doctors in the following specialties:
- orthopedic traumatologist;
- neurologist;
- neurosurgeon;
- urologist;
- doctor;
- oncologist;
- rheumatologist;
- nephrologist;
Risk factors
Back pain can occur in absolutely anyone of any age, including children and adolescents. However, the following factors increase the risk of their occurrence:
- Age.Back pain is most common after the age of 30.
- Lack of exercise.The weakening of the back muscles due to infrequent physical activity is one of the factors causing problems with the spine.
- overweight.Extra pounds put additional strain on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs and lead to the development of diseases.
- Comorbidities.Back pain is associated with a number of diseases, including cancer.
- Mental disorders.People with depression or anxiety are at higher risk of developing back pain.
Diagnosis of back pain
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 changes detected in the MRI, the doctor creates a treatment plan for the patient in connection with the clinical picture and the neurological status. In addition, the MRI image will help you predict how the disease will develop.
Diagnostic blocks
Diagnostic blocks are very informative to confirm 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 establishing indications for high frequency denervation of the corresponding joints.
In addition to the high diagnostic value, intra-articular blockages are a therapeutic method that has a pronounced analgesic effect with different duration of action. Diagnostic blocks can be used in patients with radicular pain if additional diagnosis is required.
Treatment of back pain
There are different ways to treat back pain:
Pharmacological 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 particularly useful in the acute phase. Antidepressants and some anticonvulsants are used to good effect in the complex treatment of pain. The treatment regimen is selected by the doctor for each patient individually, depending on the patient's drug tolerance, individual sensitivity and the severity of the therapeutic effect.
Treatment blockade under radiological control
In the last decade, the use of minimally invasive procedures, including epidural and intra-articular blocks, has increased dramatically due to the rapid and pronounced analgesic and therapeutic effects. 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 is simply amazing! Pain relief is achieved over a period of 6 weeks to 6 months, avoiding the need for surgical treatment in many cases.
Neurosurgery
The spectrum of neurosurgical operations for back pain is wide. Techniques such as spinal cord decompression, discectomy, foraminotomy, disc replacement, minimally invasive and microsurgery, as well as a number of other surgical techniques are used.
High frequency denervation
Radio frequency denervation (RFA) is one of the most optimal treatments to avoid or significantly delay surgery. Thanks to him, you can not only quickly get rid of symptoms of pain, but also minimize or completely eliminate the use of pain relievers. Recovery after this process is fast enough that you can quickly get back to your normal lifestyle.