What could be causing my back pain?
Back pain could result from an acute injury, tissue damage from overuse, and spinal disease.
Acute injuries cause sudden pain that could be due to a fall, auto accident, or work injury, lifting incorrectly so you overstrain your back, or twisting your spine awkwardly. Overuse and poor posture can cause a backache as well as damage the tissues in and around your spine, leading to back pain.
If you have chronic back pain, it might be due to an acute or overuse injury not receiving the right treatment. You can also suffer from conditions that typically develop as you get older, such as:
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Sciatica
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated or bulging disc
- Spondylosis
- Spondylolisthesis
Some people have back pain because of an abnormal spinal curvature, a condition known as scoliosis.
What should I do if I have back pain?
If your back pain is mild or simply due to an overstretched muscle, then gentle heat, ice packs, and activity modification might be all the tissues need to heal.
However, you should visit Rogozinski Orthopedic Clinic for moderate to severe back pain, pain with loss of function, and pain that doesn't get better within a few days.
Your provider examines your back, studies your medical history, and talks to you about your current symptoms to come up with a preliminary diagnosis.
You might need to undergo diagnostic imaging procedures such as X-rays or an MRI or CT scan to confirm the cause and allow them to see the extent of your injury.
What treatment might I need for back pain?
Your initial treatment program for back pain is likely to include non-surgical measures such as:
- Anti-inflammatory pain medication
- Physical therapy
- Heat and ice
- Ultrasound therapy
- Epidural steroid injections
- Selective nerve root blocks
- Facet joint injections
- Radiofrequency ablation
For many patients, expert physical therapy and other noninvasive techniques are sufficient to resolve back pain.
Injections and radiofrequency ablation are necessary, in some instances, but there are some patients for whom none of these treatments proves effective. At this point, your provider might recommend surgery.
What surgery might I need for back pain?
Rogozinski Orthopedic Clinic has experienced surgeons who excel at performing a wide range of surgical procedures for back pain. These could include:
- Laminectomy
- Discectomy
- Microdiscectomy
- Spinal fusion
- Artificial disc replacement
The procedure you require depends on the cause of your back pain. For example, if you have a herniated disc, you might need to undergo discectomy and fusion, or you could be a good candidate for a replacement disc.
Where possible, your provider uses minimally invasive techniques to reduce pain and speed up recovery.
If you're experiencing back pain, visit Rogozinski Orthopedic Clinic to find out why and get reliable, effective treatment. Call the office today or book an appointment online.
