If you are experiencing low back pain, you are not alone. An estimated 75 to 85 percent of all Americans will experience some form of back pain during their lifetime. Although low back pain can be quite debilitating and painful, in about 90 percent of all cases, pain improves without surgery. However, 50 percent of all patients who suffer from an episode of low back pain will have a recurrent episode within one year.
The Lumbar Spine
The lumbar spine (lower back) consists of five vertebrae in the lower part of the spine between the ribs and the pelvis. The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small discs. These discs are round and flat, with a tough, outer layer (annulus) that surrounds a jellylike material called the nucleus. Located between each of your vertebra in the spinal column, discs act as shock absorbers for the spinal bones. Thick ligaments attached to the vertebrae hold the pulpy disc material in place. Of the 31 pairs of spinal nerves and roots, five lumbar (L1-L5) and 5 sacral (S1-S5) nerve pairs connect beginning in the area of your lower back.
Common Causes of Low Back Pain
Herniated Disc
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
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Osteoarthritis
Diagnosing Your Low Back Pain
Diagnosis is made by a neurosurgeon based on your history, symptoms, a physical examination, and results of diagnostic studies, if necessary. Some patients may be treated conservatively and then undergo imaging studies if medication and physical therapy are ineffective. These tests may include:
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Conservative (Nonsurgical) Treatment Options
Treatment options include physical therapy, back exercises, weight reduction, steroid injections (epidural steroids), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, rehabilitation and limited activity. All of these treatment options are aimed at relieving the inflammation in the back and irritation of nerve roots. Physicians usually recommend four to six weeks of conservative therapy before considering surgery.
If low back pain occurs after a recent injury, such as a car accident, a fall or sports injury, you should call your primary care physician immediately. If there are any neurological symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately. If there are no neurological problems (i.e. numbness, weakness, bowel and bladder dysfunction), you may benefit by beginning conservative treatment at home for two to three days. You may take anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen and restrict strenuous activities for a few days.
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If low back pain gets worse or does not improve after two to three days of home treatment, contact a primary care physician. The physician can evaluate you and perform a neurological exam in the office to determine which nerve root is being irritated, as well as rule out other serious medical conditions. If there are clear signs that the nerve root is being compressed, your physician can prescribe medications to relieve the pain, swelling and irritation, and may also recommend limitation of activities. If these treatment options do not provide relief within two weeks, it may be time to consider other diagnostic studies and possibly surgery.
When Surgery is Necessary
When conservative treatment for low back pain does not provide relief, surgery may be needed. You may be a candidate for surgery if:
- Back and leg pain limits normal activity or impairs your quality of life
- You develop progressive neurological deficits, such as leg weakness and/or numbness
