Back pain may be either acute or chronic. It is described as acute if it has been experienced for two weeks or less and chronic if it has existed for longer than this. The problem is fairly common and the incidence increases with advancing age. There are a number of things related to back pain Conroe residents need to know if they have been dealing with this problem.
Acute back pain is mainly caused by trauma or muscle strains due to strenuous physical activity. Many cases of strain resolve spontaneously with or without treatment. If they fail to respond to treatment, they progress and become chronic. Common causes of chronic pain include infections, osteoarthritis, inter-vertebral disc prolapse and malignancies (whether primary or secondary).
Inter-vertebral discs are shock absorbing structures that are located between adjacent vertebral bodies. They help in providing cushion when forces are transmitted through the spine. Occasionally, the discs may be displaced from their position and impinge on nerves and other structures. This is likely occur after heavy lifting or when one is subjected to blunt trauma on the back. The resultant pain typically affects the lower limbs as well.
The main form of treatment for disc prolapse is decompression. This may be achieved by use of surgical or non-surgical options. Traction is the main non-surgical modality that is used. It entails the application of a pulling force to the spine with the aim of releasing pressure. When adjacent vertebrae are pulled apart, the prolapsed disc falls back into position. About twenty sessions are required to achieve results on average.
Surgery is used when the conservative (non-surgical) options prove ineffective. One of the roles of surgery is to re-position displaced discs. The other role is to remove a vertebral body in its entirety or in part so as to increase the space through which nerve fibers traverse. Some of the elements that may be removed include osteophytes, the foreman and the lamina among others. Possible complications of surgery include infections, bleeding and spinal instability.
Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the large joints. It is manifested by formation of bony spurs and reduction in the amount of synovial fluid that is necessary in providing cushion against friction. While there are no definitive treatments for the condition, relief may be experienced by using pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs. The drugs should be offered alongside regular physical exercise.
Tumors are described as being primary if they originate from the organ in question and secondary if they have metastasized from other organs. The main primary bone tumor that may affect the spine is multiple myeloma while secondary tumors originate from organs such as the thyroid, the breasts, the kidneys and the prostate gland among others. The symptoms that are associated with tumors are mainly due to compression of nerves.
The cause of your symptoms may not be clear from the very start. A number of investigations may have to be conducted before the underlying problem is identified. These investigations include both blood tests and imaging studies such as CT scans, MRI images and X-ray images. Images are particularly useful in cases such as tumors, osteoarthritis, trauma and displaced inter-vertebral discs.
Acute back pain is mainly caused by trauma or muscle strains due to strenuous physical activity. Many cases of strain resolve spontaneously with or without treatment. If they fail to respond to treatment, they progress and become chronic. Common causes of chronic pain include infections, osteoarthritis, inter-vertebral disc prolapse and malignancies (whether primary or secondary).
Inter-vertebral discs are shock absorbing structures that are located between adjacent vertebral bodies. They help in providing cushion when forces are transmitted through the spine. Occasionally, the discs may be displaced from their position and impinge on nerves and other structures. This is likely occur after heavy lifting or when one is subjected to blunt trauma on the back. The resultant pain typically affects the lower limbs as well.
The main form of treatment for disc prolapse is decompression. This may be achieved by use of surgical or non-surgical options. Traction is the main non-surgical modality that is used. It entails the application of a pulling force to the spine with the aim of releasing pressure. When adjacent vertebrae are pulled apart, the prolapsed disc falls back into position. About twenty sessions are required to achieve results on average.
Surgery is used when the conservative (non-surgical) options prove ineffective. One of the roles of surgery is to re-position displaced discs. The other role is to remove a vertebral body in its entirety or in part so as to increase the space through which nerve fibers traverse. Some of the elements that may be removed include osteophytes, the foreman and the lamina among others. Possible complications of surgery include infections, bleeding and spinal instability.
Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the large joints. It is manifested by formation of bony spurs and reduction in the amount of synovial fluid that is necessary in providing cushion against friction. While there are no definitive treatments for the condition, relief may be experienced by using pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs. The drugs should be offered alongside regular physical exercise.
Tumors are described as being primary if they originate from the organ in question and secondary if they have metastasized from other organs. The main primary bone tumor that may affect the spine is multiple myeloma while secondary tumors originate from organs such as the thyroid, the breasts, the kidneys and the prostate gland among others. The symptoms that are associated with tumors are mainly due to compression of nerves.
The cause of your symptoms may not be clear from the very start. A number of investigations may have to be conducted before the underlying problem is identified. These investigations include both blood tests and imaging studies such as CT scans, MRI images and X-ray images. Images are particularly useful in cases such as tumors, osteoarthritis, trauma and displaced inter-vertebral discs.
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