$Unique_ID{BRK01439}
$Pretitle{Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue}
$Title{Chronic Low Back Problems}
$Subject{low back cause treatment}
$Volume{M-18}
$Log{
Osteoarthritis*0005001.scf
Intervertebral Disc*0005002.scf
Muscular Pain*0005003.scf
Herniated Disc*0005004.scf
Osteoporosis*0005005.scf
Anatomy of Low Back Pain 1*0005101.scf
Anatomy of Low Back Pain 2*0005102.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Chronic Low Back Problems


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QUESTION:  I am a long time sufferer with a condition that I have been told is
considered to be a chronic low back problem.  I get into trouble about once a
year, and take several weeks to recover completely.  What are the chances that
I really have a disk problem, and that my only hope is surgery?  I am not
looking for an unnecessary operation, but I would like to be rid of this
problem once and for all time.  Do you have any statistics that might be of
some help?

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ANSWER:  Low back problems are certainly not uncommon, with an estimated 80
percent of the adult population having this distressing experience at some
point in their lives.  However most back pain is not caused by a herniated
disk, and even when it is, conservative treatment can bring relief to most
patients.  Making a diagnosis of a mechanical cause of low back pain, such as
degenerative changes, and herniated disks is not always easy, and the exact
cause of the problem is not always determined.  That is why other clues are
used to determine the nature and course of treatment.  The first sign that a
low back pain may be caused by a disk problem is usually the presence of
sciatica, where pain is felt along the course of the sciatic nerve, down the
back of the leg.  Sometimes there have been several episodes of back pain
preceding the development of this complaint.  Thus a complete history and
careful physical examination are the first avenues for the investigation of
low back problems.  Many experts believe that conservative treatment,
including pain medication, rest, muscle relaxants, and appropriate exercise,
should be tried first before moving on to more intense evaluation and
treatment.  When conservative treatments fail and pain remains unrelieved
after 4 to 6 weeks of therapy, or when there is progressive weakness and
numbness in the leg, or neurological examinations discover changes in function
of nerves and muscles, the status, it is time to utilize the advantages found
in such testing procedures as C-T scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or
myelography (x-ray techniques which reveal the status of the spinal cord).  It
is only after these have been completed that surgical procedures are
considered in appropriate cases.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
