An estimated 75 to 85 percent of general population will experience some form of back pain during their lifetime. In about 90 percent of all cases, pain improves without surgery. Fifty percent of all patients who suffer from an episode of low back pain will have a recurrent episode within one year.
The common causes of Low Back Pain are:
1.Herniated Disc
2.Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
3.Osteoarthritis
4. Spondylolisthesis (slipping of one spine bone over other)
How to diagnose cause of low back pain?
A neurosurgeon with experience in spine surgery diagnoses the cause of the pain. Most commonly x-ray and MRI of the spine are done after a thorough clinical examination. But at times nerve conduction study and electromyography may be required.
What are the treatment options for Low Back Pain?
Nonsurgical Treatment Options:
1.Physical therapy and back exercises
2.Weight reduction
3.Epidural Steroid injections
4.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
5.Rrehabilitation and limited activity
All of these treatment options are aimed at relieving pain in the back and irritation of nerve roots. But however these may not be advised in cases where neurological deficits are setting in or the pain is excruciating.
Surgical treatment options:
Various surgical options are available, each of which has its own indications and contraindications. Your Neurosurgeon can help you in choosing the best suited for you. You may be a candidate for surgery if:
1.Back and leg pain limits normal activity or impairs your quality of life
2.You develop progressive neurological deficits, such as leg weakness and/or numbness
3.You experience loss of normal bowel and bladder functions
4.You have difficulty standing or walking
5.Medication and physical therapy are ineffective
If there are several nerve roots and discs causing the pain or if there is degeneration and instability in the spinal column, the neurosurgeon may opt to fuse the vertebrae together with bone grafts and stabilize the vertebrae with instrumentation, including metal plates, screws, rods and cages.
What are the benefits of spine surgeries?
Relief from back pain, recovery of neurological deficits, back to work and better physical fitness.