1. Degeneration
The rate of degneration is vary from people. Generally, the interverbral disc and joints will become unstable after aged 30, leading to back pain or sciatia caused by nerve compressions.
2. Bone Projection / over-growth
Osteophytes (bone spur) form naturally on the back of the spine as a person ages and are a sign of degeneration in the spine. In most cases, the spur are not the source of back pains. However, if the bone projections compress the adjunct nerves and suppress the blood supply to the nerve, the patients would suffer pain in running or standing position.
3. Others
If back pain caused by tumor/ cancer or bacterial infections, patients may experience persistent pain in back, leading to insomnia and other associated syndromes.
Back pain - prevention
Exercise is an effective way to strengthen your muscles. The strong muscles can help to maintain a correct position of spine. Low-impact activities can increase overall fitness without straining the low back.
Back pain - treatment
1. Physiotherapy. It can be classified as active and inactive treatment.
Active – effectively strengthen the patient’s muscle through persistent specific exercise.
Inactive – relieve pain in specific position through micro-current therapy
Misconception:
Many patients believe that reductions of physical activity can relieve their pain conditions, however, it is incorrect as physical acticity can help to strengthen your muscle and relieve the pain in long term. You are recommend to consult physiotherapy to personalize an exercise plan for you.
Medication
Depends on the severity of pain, orthopaedic doctor would prescribe oral medications for pain reliever. If needed or pain persist, orthopaedic doctor may recommend for intramuscular or percutaneous injections of nerve blocks to control your back pain.
Surgery
Orthopaedic doctor would recommend for orthopaedic surgery if needed, especially for patients suffering:
i. Medications and physiotherapy treatments cannot manipulate the back pain
ii. Incontinence caused by nerve compression
iii. Progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression
iv. No improvement of pain conditions after 4-6 weeks physiotherapy treatment.
references: www.ispine.com.hk/
It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.
