Some Information On Back Pain Conroe Patients Should Know

By Ronald Bennett


Acute and chronic back pain are common problems all over the world. Acute pain is that which has been in existence for not more than two weeks while the chronic type is that which has been in existence for more than two weeks. The likelihood of suffering from this condition increases with increasing age. There are a number of things regarding back pain Conroe residents should know if struggling with this problem.

The major causes of acute back pain are muscle strains and trauma. Most cases resolve spontaneously within a few days. If they fail to abate they may progress to become chronic. Some of the causes of chronic back pain include inter-vertebral disc prolapse, chronic infections, osteoarthritis and malignancies (both primary and secondary).

Inter-vertebral discs are shock absorbing structures that are located between adjacent vertebral bodies. They help in providing cushion when forces are transmitted through the spine. Occasionally, the discs may be displaced from their position and impinge on nerves and other structures. This is likely occur after heavy lifting or when one is subjected to blunt trauma on the back. The resultant pain typically affects the lower limbs as well.

The main treatment for inter-vertebral disc prolapse is decompression. This can be done using surgical or non-surgical options. Traction is an effective and safe non-surgical option that is often used to solve this problem. It involves the application of a steady force (pull) onto the spine so as to relieve excess pressures. A negative pressure between the adjacent discs allows the disc to slip back into its original position. About twenty sessions are needed on average.

Surgical options are considered when the conservative methods fail to give the desired results. During surgery, a displaced disc may be re-positioned or removed. In some cases, there is a need to remove a vertebral body either in part or in its entirety. Some of the parts that may be removed during the operation include the lamina, osteophytes, the vertebral body or the foramen.

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the large joints. It is manifested by formation of bony spurs and reduction in the amount of synovial fluid that is necessary in providing cushion against friction. While there are no definitive treatments for the condition, relief may be experienced by using pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs. The drugs should be offered alongside regular physical exercise.

Tumors cause pain mainly by affecting the bony components of the spine. They may also compress nerves that lie in close proximity. Primary bone tumors are those that originate from the bones. The commonest type is known as multiple myeloma. Secondary tumors, on the other hand, originate from a different site and metastasize to other areas including the spine. Treating the origin of the tumor helps relive these symptoms.

It is not always possible to figure out what the problem is from the very beginning. There may be a need to conduct several blood tests and imaging studies for the underlying problem to be identified. Blood tests are useful when one is suspected to have infections while imaging studies help to rule out conditions such as osteoarthritis, displaced inter-vertebral discs and tumors among others.




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