BACK INJURIES

Back pain is a very common symptom. This article describes the exchange rate, investigation and treatment options.

What is pain?

Back pain is a problem all too familiar, which can vary from a dull, constant pain for a sudden, severe pain, lets you incapacitated. It may suddenly - in an accident, a fall or lifting something too heavy - or can develop slowly, perhaps due to age changes in the spine. Regardless of how it happened, or how it feels, you know, if you have it. And the possibilities are, if not now, will at some point.
As is common?

At some point, back pain affects an estimated 8 out of 10 people. It belongs to our society most common health problems.
What are the risk factors for back pain?

While anyone can have, back pain, a number of factors that increase the risk. These include:

Age: The first attack of low back pain usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 40 Back pain is more frequent with age.

Fitness Level: back pain is more common in people who are not physically fit. Weak back and abdominal muscles may not work properly support the spine. "Weekend warriors" - people who go out and a lot of exercise, inactive after that all week - are more likely to suffer painful injuries, when people are moderate physical activity daily habit. Studies show that low-impact aerobic exercise is good for stuffing discs that the vertebrae, the bones that make up the spine.

Nutrition: a diet with high calorie and fat content, combined with an inactive lifestyle can lead to obesity, stress can be found on the opposite side.

Heritage: Some causes of back pain, including CD's disease, may have a genetic component.

Stroke: The race may be a factor back. African American women, for example, are two to three times more likely to white women to develop spondylolisthesis, a condition in which a vortex of the lower spine - including the lumbar spine - slipping out of place.

The presence of other diseases: Many diseases can cause or contribute to back pain. These include various forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis and other types of cancer in the body, may participate in the backbone.

Risk factors professional: After a job that requires heavy lifting, push, pull and, in particular as a turning point or vibrations of the spine, can lead to injuries and back pain. Idle job or a desk job may also cause or contribute to pain, especially when poor posture or all day sitting in a chair uncomfortable.

Of smoking: Smoking can not directly cause back pain, increases the risk of developing low back pain and low back pain with sciatica. (Sciatica is back pain that radiates to fashion and / or leg pressure on a nerve.) For example, smoking can cause pain by blocking the body of the ability to provide nutrients for the slabs of the lower back . Cough or more times due to strong smoking can cause back pain. It 'also possible that smokers are less physically fit or less healthy than non-smokers, which increases the probability that it will develop back pain. In addition, smoking is slow to heal, the pain of renewal for people who have back injuries, back surgery or broken bones.
What are the causes of back pain?

It 'important to understand that back pain is a symptom of a disease, not even a diagnosis. Problems doctors can cause back pain are as follows:

Mechanical Problems: A mechanical problem is a problem with the way your spine moves or how to feel if your spine in a certain way. Perhaps the most common cause of mechanical back pain is a condition called disc degeneration of the spinal cord, which simply means that the discs are located between the vertebrae of the spine are the reduction with age. As deteriorate, they lose their ability sponge. This problem can cause pain when his back is underlined. Other mechanical causes of back pain, spasms, muscle tension and crushed disks, also known as disk herniated discs.

Injuries: spinal cord injuries as sprains and fractures can cause short-term or chronic pain. Sprains are tears in the ligaments that support the spine, and can occur from twisting or lifting wrong. Column fractured vertebrae are often the result of osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak, porous bones. Less frequently, back pain can be caused by other serious injuries caused by accidents and falls.

Acquired conditions and diseases: Many health problems can cause or contribute to back pain. These include scoliosis, which means that the curvature of the spine and usually cause no pain until the middle of life; spondylolisthesis; various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis and stenosis, a narrowing spine, Fixed pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. While osteoporosis itself is not painful, can lead to painful fractures of the spine. Other causes of back pain include pregnancy, kidney stones or infection, endometriosis, which is the institution of the uterine lining tissue outside the uterus and fibromyalgia, which causes fatigue and widespread muscle pain.

Infections and cancer, even if they are not common causes of back pain, infections can cause pain when the spine, a condition called osteomyelitis, or if you are the discs that cushion the vertebrae, called discitis. Tumors are relatively rare causes of back pain. Occasionally, cancer start at the back, but more often appear at the back due to cancer, has moved from other parts of the body.

Although the causes of back pain are usually physical, it is important to know that emotional stress can play a role, such as the pain is severe and how long it takes. Stress can rely on the body in many ways, including back muscles caused by tense and painful.
Back pain can be prevented?

One of the best things you can do to prevent back pain is to exercise regularly and keep your back muscles strong. Four types of exercises are described as' back pain? below. Everyone can help prevent injuries and pain. Exercises to improve balance and strength that can reduce the risk of falls and back injuries or fractures of the bones. Exercises such as Tai Chi and yoga - or any physical activity that challenges your balance - are good to try.

Eating a healthy diet is also important. For one thing, to eat a healthy weight - or to lose weight if you are overweight - you can avoid injury and unnecessary stress and tension on the back. To ensure that its strong spine, like all the bones have enough calcium and vitamin D per day. These nutrients to prevent osteoporosis, which is responsible for most of bone fractures, leading to back pain. Football in dairy products, green leafy vegetables and fortified products like orange juice. It makes the skin vitamin D when in the sun. If you do not have much outside, you can vitamin D from your diet: almost all milk and other foods are fortified with this nutrient. Most adults do not have enough calcium and vitamin D, ask your doctor about what is necessary per day, and consider a food supplement or a multi-vitamin.

Practicing good posture and supports your back properly, and in order to avoid heavy lifting, if you can help prevent all accidents. If you do something heavy, keep your back straight. Do not bend the element, but to keep the stress on your legs and hips.
When should see a doctor for treatment of pain?

In most cases, there is no need to consult a doctor for back pain, pain, because usually goes away with or without treatment. However, a trip to a doctor is probably a good idea if you have numbness or tingling, if your pain is severe and not improve with medication and recreation, or if you have pain after a fall or an injury. It 'also important to consult your doctor if you have pain with one of the following problems: problems to urinate, weakness, pain or feeling numbness in the legs, fever or involuntary weight loss. These symptoms may signal a serious problem that requires treatment soon.
What kind of doctor should I see?

Many different types of doctors treat back pain, from family doctors for doctors specializing in diseases of the nervous system and muscular-skeletal. In most cases it is best to secure your primary care doctor. In many cases, he or she address the problem. In other cases, your doctor may refer to an appropriate specialist.
How is the diagnosis of back pain?

Diagnosis of the causes of back pain requires a medical history and physical examination. If necessary, your doctor may also order medical examinations, which may include X-ray

During medical history, your doctor questions about the nature of pain and health problems and that close family members have or have had. Questions could include the following:

* Did you like your return or wounded recently?
* E 'in your back feel better - or worse evil - if you lie down?
* Are there activities or positions, the ease or aggravate the pain?
* Your pain worse or better, at a certain time of day?
* Have you or a family member have arthritis or other diseases that can affect the spine?
* Have you been back surgery or back pain?
* Did you have pain, feeling numbness and / or tingling down one or both legs?

During the physical examination, the doctor

* Watches you stand and walk
* Check the reflexes to seek increased or slowed reflexes, one of which may indicate problems with nerves
* Check fibromyalgia for the examination of your offer back to points raised objections on the body, the pain when pressure is applied to them
* To control muscle strength and sensation
* To control the signs of nerve root irritation.

Often a doctor find the cause of your pain with a physicist and a history alone. However, depending on what the history and examination suggests that your doctor for medical examinations to help find the cause.

Here are some tests your doctor may order:

X-ray: Traditional X-ray use of low levels of radiation to project an image on a piece of film (Some recent X-ray techniques to use electronic imaging). They are often used for bone and the bone structures of the body. Your doctor may decide that an X-Ray, if he or she suspected that a fracture or osteoarthritis, or that your spine is not correct.

Magnetic Resonance (MRI): MRI uses a strong magnetic force instead of radiation to create an image. Unlike an X-Ray, only shows bone structures, a product of MRI scan clear images of soft tissues, such as tapes, tendons and blood vessels. Your doctor may order an MRI scan if he or she suspects a problem as an infection, cancer, inflammation or pressure on a nerve. An MRI scans, in most cases it is not necessary in the early stages of low back pain, unless your doctor detects certain "red flags" in your history and physical examination. An MRI scan is required if the pain continues for more than 3-6 weeks, or if the doctor thinks that it may be necessary to consult surgery. Since most low back pain goes away by itself, always an MRI scan too early can sometimes be confusing for the patient and doctor.

The computed tomography (CT) scan: A TAC allows the doctor to see spinal not see the traditional X-ray This is a three-dimensional image that a computer from a series of two-dimensional images, takes on the back. Your doctor may order a TAC to find problems, including herniated disk drives, tumours or stenosis.

Blood tests: Although blood tests can not generally be used in the diagnosis of the causes of back pain, the doctor may order them in some cases. Analysis of blood, which can be used are as follows:

* Blood count (CBC), which can lead to problems such as inflammation or infection
* Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (also known as the rate of sed), a measure of inflammation could indicate that the infection. The presence of inflammation may also suggest that some forms of arthritis or, in rare cases, cancer.

It 'important to understand that medical tests alone will not lead to the diagnosis of back pain. In fact, experts say that up to 90 percent of all MRI scans of the spine, a sort of anomalies, and sometimes the X-rays and CT scans of people without pain show problems. Similarly, even some healthy pain-free people can have sed price increase.

Only with a medical history and examination - and sometimes medical examinations - a doctor can diagnose the cause of back pain. Many times, the exact cause of back pain is never known. In such cases it may be comforting to know that most back pain is better or not, if you find out what caused it.
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?

Pain is striking is suddenly - after falling from a ladder, addressed to the football stadium, or lifting a burden that is simply too difficult, for example - acute pain. Acute pain is rapidly and leaves are often just as fast. A classified as acute pain must not exceed 6 weeks. Acute pain is the most common form of back pain.

Chronic pain, on the other hand, they can quickly or slowly, and covers a long period of time. Normally, that the pain longer than 3 months as a chronic problem. Chronic pain is much less common acute pain.
How is pain?

Treatment of back pain in general, depends on what kind of pain occur: acute or chronic.

Treble backache

Treble back pain usually is better alone and without treatment, although you may want to try paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain. Perhaps the best advice is, go to your normal activities, wherever possible, with the certainty that the problem is clear. Alzarsi and move to ease stiffness, pain, and return to normal activities than before. Exercises are generally not recommended for acute back pain, nor is surgery.

Mal chronic back

Treatment of chronic back pain fall into two categories: nature, requires a functioning and the way in which this is not the case. In the vast majority of cases, back pain does not require surgery. Doctors are almost always try nonsurgical treatments before the surgery recommended. In a small percentage of cases - for back pain is a cancer, infection or a main nerve problem called cauda equina syndrome, for example - quick operation is needed to relieve pain and prevent further problems.

The following are some of the most common treatments for chronic back pain.
Not operational treatments

Hot or cold: hot and cold packs - or sometimes a combination of both - can be calming to chronically sore, stiff back. Heat expands blood vessels, improving the supply of oxygen that blood is on the back and reducing muscle cramps. Heat also changed the perception of pain. Cold, inflammation of reducing the size of blood vessels and blood flow in the area. Although I feel cold in May against the painful skin, it numbs deep pain. Heat or cold in May relieve pain, but not lead to healing of chronic back pain.

Exercise: Although the practice is usually not recommended for acute back pain, proper exercise can alleviate chronic pain and perhaps reduce their risk in return. The following four types of exercises are important for the overall physical fitness and can be very useful for some causes of back pain:

Deflection: The purpose of bending exercises, the exercises, where you bend forward, to 1) expand the spaces between the vertebrae, which put pressure on nerves, 2) stretch muscles of the spine and hips, and 3) the strengthening of Abdomen -- And buttocks muscles. Many doctors believe that the strengthening of the muscles of the abdomen reduces the load on the spine. A word of caution: if the back pain is a herniated disc, consult your doctor before bending exercises, because it can increase the pressure inside of records, making the problem worse.

Direct telephone with an extension exercises, go back. To minimize the radiating pain, pain felt in other parts of the body, where in addition to its origin. Examples of extension exercises are leg while lifting vulnerable and an increase in the trunk, while lying exposed. The theory behind these exercises is that you open the spinal canal in places and develop the muscles that support the spine.

Stretching: The goal of stretching exercises, as the name suggests, the route and improve the extension of the muscles and other soft tissue back. This can reduce the stiffness and back to improve the scope of the movement.

Aerobics: Aerobic exercise is the way it is your heart pumping faster and keep your heart rate elevated for a while '. For fitness, it is important that at least 30 minutes of aerobic (also known as cardio-vascular) must exercise three times a week. Aerobic exercises, large muscles of the body and lively even walking, jogging and swimming. To back problems, we should avoid exercise that requires twisting or bending forward energy, such as aerobics and dance rowing, because these actions may increase the pressure on discs and even more harm than good. Also, avoid high-impact activities, if you have disc disease. If back pain or your level of fitness makes it impossible to exercise 30 minutes at a time, try three to 10 minutes to start working sessions and up to destination. But first, ask your doctor or physiotherapist safe aerobic exercise for you.

Drugs: A wide range of drugs used to treat chronic back pain. Some may try for themselves. Others are only with a prescription. The following are the main types of drugs for back pain.

Analgesics: analgesic drugs are those designed specifically to alleviate the pain. These include over-the-counter paracetamol (acetaminophen) (Tylenol1) and aspirin and prescription drugs, like oxycodone with paracetamol (acetaminophen) (Percocet) or hydrocodone with paracetamol (acetaminophen) (Vicodin). Aspirin and paracetamol (acetaminophen), more commonly used analgesics; drugs should be used only for a short period of time to severe pain or pain after surgery. people with muscle or back pain, arthritis pain is not relieved by medications may be useful topical analgesics. These creams, ointments, salves and rubbed directly on the skin site of pain. They use one or more of a variety of ingredients to relieve pain. topical analgesics include products such as Zostrix, Icy Hot, and Ben Gay.

1 marks in this booklet are provided only as examples, and their integration does not mean that these products are used by the National Institutes of Health or other government body. Also, if a certain brand is not mentioned, this does not mean or that the product is not satisfactory.

NSAIDs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are drugs that relieve pain and inflammation is, who can also play a role in some cases of back pain. Nonprescription products NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis KT) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). More than a dozen others, including a subclass of NSAID called COX-2 inhibitors, only with a prescription.

All NSAIDs work in the same way: the blocking of substances called prostaglandins, inflammation and pain. However, any NSAID is another chemical, and each has a slightly different effect on body2.

Note 2: NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation or, less commonly, may affect renal function. The longer a person used NSAIDs, the more likely he or she is to have side effects ranging from mild to severe. Many other drugs can not be taken if a patient is treated with NSAIDs because NSAIDs are changing the way in which the body used or disposed of these other drugs. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist before NSAIDs. Even NSAIDs are sometimes associated with serious gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers, perforations and bleeding in the stomach or intestine. People over 65 years and those with a history of ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding NSAIDs should be treated with caution.

The side effects of all NSAIDs can upset stomach and stomach ulcers, heartburn, diarrhea, and fluid retention, but COX-2 inhibitors are designed to cause fewer stomach ulcers. For reasons unknown, some people seem to be better than another NSAID. It 'important work with your doctor to choose the one that safer and more effective for you.

Other drugs: muscle relaxants and some antidepressants were also responsible for chronic back pain, but their usefulness is debatable.

Drive: traction involves using pulleys and weights on the route. The logic of traction is to pull the vertebrae as well as a bulging disc slip again. Some people experience pain, while in traction, but the relief is usually temporary. When traction is released, the path is not sustainable and back pain is likely to return. There is no scientific evidence that any traction offers long-term benefits for people with back pain.

Corsets and bras: busts and parentheses contain a number of devices such as elastic and rigid supported with metal stays that are restricting the movement of the lumbar spine, the abdominal support and correct posture. While this may be appropriate for certain types of operations, there is little, if any, evidence that they help treat chronic back pain. In fact, to use the back muscles can cause more problems than actually solved is to return to weaken the muscles from lack of use.

Verhalten update: The development of a healthy attitude and learn to move your body properly when daily activities - particularly for heavy lifting, pushing, pulling and - sometimes are part of a plan of treatment for people with back pain. Other changes behavior, which may be useful to understand the pain the adoption of healthy habits, such as movement, relaxation and regular sleep, falls and bad habits like smoking and eating little.

Injections: When drugs and other treatments not nonsurgical to alleviate the chronic back pain, doctors may recommend injections for pain. Here are some of the most commonly used injections, although some are of doubtful utility:

Nerve root blocks: When an inflamed nerve or compressed, as it passes from the spine between the vertebrae, a syringe as the root of the nerve block can be used for the consequent ease back pain in the legs. The injection of steroids contains a drug and / or anaesthesia and managed on the interested party nerve. If the procedure helps or not, depends on finding injecting and only the right nerve.

Appearance joint injections: The appearance joints are those in which the spine connect to each other, so that the spine. Although arthritis joints aspect itself is rarely the source of back pain, injection of steroids or anaesthetic drugs in joints is sometimes tried as a way to relieve pain. The effectiveness of these contributions is questionable. One study suggests that this treatment is overused and ineffective.

Trigger point injections: In this procedure, an anaesthetic in some areas at the back, pain when the doctor applies pressure to them. Some medical steroid drugs for injection. Although injections are commonly used, researchers have discovered that the injection of anaesthetic and / or steroids trigger points in no more than alleviate "dry needling" or the insertion of a needle, not the injection of a drug.

Prolotherapy: One of the most talked-about procedures for back pain, prolotherapy is a treatment where a doctor injects a solution of sugar or other substances irritant within the limits of points along the periosteum (the tough, fibrous tissue to bone) trigger an inflammatory response that promotes the growth of dense, fibrous tissue. The theory behind prolotherapy is that the growth of tissues strengthens the attachment of tendons and ligaments, relaxation has contributed to back pain. So far, studies have not confirmed the effectiveness of prolotherapy. The process is mainly used by chiropractors and osteopathic doctors.

Complementary and alternative therapies: When back pain becomes chronic or when drugs and other conventional therapies do not raise many people try to complementary and alternative treatments. Even if these therapies do not cure diseases or repair the injury that pain, some people find it useful for the administration or the relief of pain. Here are some of the most commonly used complementary therapies.

Handling: Spinal manipulation refers to proceedings in which professionals to mobilize their hands, adapt, massage, or support the spine and surrounding tissue. This type of therapy is often caused by osteopathic physicians and chiropractors. He tends to be more effective in people with pain and simple when used with other therapies. Manipulation of the spinal cord is not appropriate if you have a medical problem such as osteoporosis, spinal cord compression, or inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis) or if the blood-slimming drugs like warfarin (Coumadin) or heparin (Calciparine , Liquaemin).

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): TENS includes the use of a small box on the painful area bears mild electrical impulses to the nerves. The theory is that the promotion of the nervous system, the perception of pain. Studien der Frühe TEN vorgeschlagen, es könnte das erhöhen Niveau von Endorphinen, den körpereigenen natürlichen Schmerz-betäubend chemicals, im Rückenmark Flüssigkeit. Aber spätere Studien Wirksamkeit gegen seine Schmerzen haben gemischte Ergebnisse.

Akupunktur: Diese high chinesische Praxis wurde gewinnt zunehmend an Popularität Akzeptanz und in den Vereinigten Staaten. Es basiert auf der Theorie, dass ein Leben rief Kraft Qi (Chee sprich) fließt durch den Körper entlang bestimmter Kanäle, die blockiert, wenn Krankheit verursachen kann. Nach der Theorie, die von Einfügung dünnen Nadeln in genau Standorten entlang dieser Kanäle durch die Sperre Praktiker kann für den Fluss des Qi, der Linderung Schmerzen und die von der Wiederherstellung Gesundheit.

Obwohl einige westliche ausgebildete Ärzte zustimmen würde, mit dem Konzept des Qi blockiert, einige glauben, dass das Einfügen und anschließend anregende Nadeln (durch Drehen oder eines im Zuge Niederspannungs-elektrischen Strom durch sie) kann fördern die Produktion der körpereigenen natürlichen Schmerz-betäubend Chemikalien , Wie Endorphine, Serotonin, Acetylcholin.

Ein Konsens Panel einberufen durch die National Institutes of Health (NIH) im Jahr 1997 der Schluss gezogen, dass es eindeutige Beweise dieser Behandlung wirksam ist für einige Schmerzen Bedingungen, einschließlich der postoperativen Zahnschmerzen. Zwar gibt es weniger überzeugende Beweise zur Unterstützung für mit Rückenschmerzen Akupunktur und andere einige Schmerzen Bedingungen, die Gruppe zu der Schlußfolgerung, daß Akupunktur wirksam sein können, wenn sie als Teil einer umfassenden Behandlungsplan für niedrige Rückenschmerzen, Fibromyalgie, und anderen mehreren Bedingungen.

Akupressur: Wie bei Akupunktur, die Theorie hinter Akupressur besteht darin, dass es unblocks den Fluss von Qi. Der Unterschied zwischen Akupressur Akupunktur und ist, dass keine Nadeln werden in der Akupressur. Stattdessen wird ein Therapeut bezieht Druck entlang Punkte auf der Kanäle seiner oder mit ihrer Hände, Ellbogen, oder sogar die Füße. (In einigen Fällen sind die Patienten zu tun gelehrt, ihre eigenen Akupressur.) Akupressur wurde nicht gut für Rückenschmerzen untersucht.

Rolfing: Eine Art der Massage, Rolfing geht mit starkem Druck auf Gewebe tief in den Rücken zu entlasten Engegefühl in der Faszie, der Mantel aus Gewebe, das die Muskeln, das kann dazu führen, dass oder einen Beitrag zu Rückenschmerzen. Die Theorie hinter Rolfing ist, dass die Freigabe Muskeln und Gewebe aus der Faszie ermöglicht dem Rücken richtig ausrichten. Bisher haben die Nützlichkeit für Rolfing Rückenschmerzen wurde noch nicht wissenschaftlich bewiesen.
Operative Behandlungen

Abhängig von der Diagnose, Operation kann es sich um die erste Therapie der Wahl - obwohl dies selten ist - oder es ist reserviert für chronische Rückenschmerzen, bei denen andere Therapien versagt haben. Wenn Sie stehen in ständigem Schmerzen oder Schmerzen erneut auftritt, wenn häufig und stört mit Ihrer Fähigkeit zu schlafen, zu funktionieren in Ihrem Job, oder Verrichtungen des täglichen Lebens, werden Sie möglicherweise ein Kandidat für Chirurgie.

In der Regel gibt es zwei Gruppen von Menschen, erfordert möglicherweise eine Operation zur Behandlung von Wirbelsäulen-ihre Probleme. Die Menschen in der ersten Gruppe haben chronischen Rückenschmerzen und Ischias, und sie sind häufig diagnostiziert mit einem Bandscheibenvorfall, Stenosen, spondylolisthesis, oder vertebraler Frakturen mit Beteiligung Nerven. Die Menschen in der zweiten Gruppe sind diejenigen, mit nur geringen vorherrschende Rückenschmerzen (ohne Schmerzen in den Beinen). Es handelt sich um Menschen mit niedrigen discogenic Rückenschmerzen (degenerative disc disease), in der Verschleiß-Discs mit dem Alter zu. Üblicherweise werden die Ergebnisse der Wirbelsäulenchirurgie ist viel mehr berechenbar bei Menschen mit Ischias als in solchen mit vorherrschenden niedrigen Rückenschmerzen.

Einige der Diagnosen, die Notwendigkeit der Operation gehören:

Bandscheibenvorfall-Discs: ein potenziell schmerzhaften Problem, bei dem die harte äußere Schicht der Scheiben, das sind die runden Stücke von Bindegewebe das Kissen die Knochen der Wirbelsäule, sind beschädigt, so dass die Discs "Gelee-Center zum Leck, irritierend, in der Nähe Nerven . Dies führt zu schweren Ischias und Nervenschmerzen Festlegung der Bein. Ein Bandscheibenvorfall ist manchmal auch gebrochen Scheibe.

Spinal Stenose: Verengung der Wirbelkanal, durch die das Rückenmark und Nerven Rückenmark laufen.

Es wird oft durch die Überwucherung des Knochens, die durch Osteoarthritis der Wirbelsäule. Kompression der Nerven verursacht durch spinale Stenose führen kann nicht nur zu Schmerzen, sondern auch zu Taubheitsgefühl in den Beinen und den Verlust von Blase und / oder Darm. Die Patienten können das Problem auch zu Fuß alle Distanzen und können auch starke Schmerzen in ihren Beinen zusammen mit Taubheit und Kribbeln.

Spondylolisthesis: ein Zustand, in dem ein Wirbel der Lendenwirbelsäule rutscht fehl am Platz. Da die Wirbelsäule zu stabilisieren versucht selbst, die Verbindungen zwischen den Wirbel rutschte und den angrenzenden Wirbel werden können vergrößert, Einklemmen Nerven, als sie die Ausfahrt Wirbelsäule. Spondylolisthesis kann dazu führen, dass nicht nur niedrig, sondern Rückenschmerzen Ischias schwere Schmerzen in den Beinen.

Vertebraler Frakturen: Knochenbrüche, die durch Trauma auf die Wirbel der Wirbelsäule oder durch bröckelt der Wirbelsäule aufgrund von Osteoporose. Dies führt dazu, dass meist mechanische Rückenschmerzen, sie kann aber auch Druck auf die Nerven, wodurch Schmerzen in den Beinen.

Discogenic Low Back Pain (Degenerative Disc Disease): Most people’s discs degenerate over a lifetime, but in some, this aging process can become chronically painful, severely interfering with their quality of life.

Following are some of the most commonly performed back surgeries:

For herniated discs:

Laminectomy/discectomy: In this operation, part of the lamina, a portion of the bone on the back of the vertebrae, is removed, as well as a portion of a ligament. The herniated disc is then removed through the incision, which may extend two or more inches.

Microdiscectomy: As with traditional discectomy, this procedure involves removing a herniated disc or damaged portion of a disc through an incision in the back. The difference is that the incision is much smaller and the doctor uses a magnifying microscope or lenses to locate the disc through the incision. The smaller incision may reduce pain and the disruption of tissues, and it reduces the size of the surgical scar. It appears to take about the same time to recuperate from a microdiscectomy as from a traditional discectomy.

Laser surgery: Technological advances in recent decades have led to the use of lasers for operating on patients with herniated discs accompanied by lower back and leg pain. During this procedure, the surgeon inserts a needle in the disc that delivers a few bursts of laser energy to vaporize the tissue in the disc. This reduces its size and relieves pressure on the nerves. Although many patients return to daily activities within 3 to 5 days after laser surgery, pain relief may not be apparent until several weeks or even months after the surgery. The usefulness of laser discectomy is still being debated.

For spinal stenosis:

Laminectomy: When narrowing of the spine compresses the nerve roots, causing pain and/or affecting sensation, doctors sometimes open up the spinal column with a procedure called a laminectomy. In a laminectomy, the doctor makes a large incision down the affected area of the spine and removes the lamina and any bone spurs, which are overgrowths of bone, that may have formed in the spinal canal as the result of osteoarthritis. The procedure is major surgery that requires a short hospital stay and physical therapy afterwards to help regain strength and mobility.

For spondylolisthesis:

Spinal fusion: When a slipped vertebra leads to the enlargement of adjacent facet joints, surgical treatment generally involves both laminectomy (as described above) and spinal fusion. In spinal fusion, two or more vertebrae are joined together using bone grafts, screws, and rods to stop slippage of the affected vertebrae. Bone used for grafting comes from another area of the body, usually the hip or pelvis. In some cases, donor bone is used.

Although the surgery is generally successful, either type of graft has its drawbacks. Using your own bone means surgery at a second site on your body. With donor bone, there is a slight risk of disease transmission or rejection. In recent years, a new development has eliminated those risks for some people undergoing spinal fusion: proteins called bone morphogenic proteins are being used to stimulate bone generation, eliminating the need for grafts. The proteins are placed in the affected area of the spine, often in collagen putty or sponges.

Regardless of how spinal fusion is performed, the fused area of the spine becomes immobilised.

For vertebral osteoporotic fractures3:

Vertebroplasty: When back pain is caused by a compression fracture of a vertebra due to osteoporosis or trauma, doctors may make a small incision in the skin over the affected area and inject a cement-like mixture called polymethyacrylate into the fractured vertebra to relieve pain and stabilize the spine. The procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis under a mild anaesthetic.

3 Used only if standard care, rest, corsets/braces, analgesics fail.

Kyphoplasty: Much like vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty is used to relieve pain and stabilize the spine following fractures due to osteoporosis. Kyphoplasty is a two-step process. In the first step, the doctor inserts a balloon device to help restore the height and shape of the spine. In the second step, he or she injects polymethyacrylate to repair the fractured vertebra. The procedure is done under anaesthesia, and in some cases it is performed on an outpatient basis.

For Discogenic Low Back Pain (Degenerative Disc Disease)

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDT): One of the newest and least invasive therapies for low back pain involves inserting a heating wire through a small incision in the back and into a disc. An electrical current is then passed through the wire to strengthen the collagen fibers that hold the disc together. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis, often under local anaesthesia. The usefulness of IDT is debatable.

Spinal fusion: When the degenerated disc is painful, the surgeon may recommend removing it and fusing the disc to help with the pain. This fusion can be done through the abdomen, a procedure known as anterior lumbar interbody fusion, or through the back, called posterior fusion. Theoretically, fusion surgery should eliminate the source of pain; the procedure is successful in about 60 to 70 percent of cases. Fusion for low back pain or any spinal surgeries should only be done as a last resort, and the patient should be fully informed of risks.

Disc replacement: When a disc is herniated, one alternative to a discectomy – in which the disc is simply removed – is removing it and replacing it with a synthetic disc. Replacing the damaged one with an artificial one restores disc height and movement between the vertebrae. Artificial discs come in several designs.