ARTICLES ON Back Pain

INTRODUCTION PATHOPHYSIOLOGY INVESTIGATIONS NON SURGICAL TREATMENT SURGERY Message Young patients with spinal instability should opt for surgery as they completely recover and can resume all their personal and professional activities Dr. Niraj Kasat Consultant Joint Replacement Surgeon

Neglecting spine problems can invite further complications that can impact your quality of life, and may leave you with unbearable pain. Do you have excruciating back pain? Are you unable to sit, stand or walk properly? Cannot carry out your daily chores with ease due to back pain? Have neck pain too? Is there any difficulty in balancing as well? Then, it is time to consult the doctor as this can indicate a spine problem. It is imperative to avoid ignoring spine problems and get a prompt diagnosis of the underlying condition who are suffering from. Neglecting the problems can invite further complications that can impact your quality of life, and may leave you with unbearable pain. Spine problems can be seen when any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal (cauda equina) get damaged due to injuries or accidents. There will be permanent changes in one’s strength, and other body functions below the site of the injury or the problem. Spine issues can also lead to back pain that will steal your peace of mind. Here are various spine problems that can take a toll on your overall well-being. Dr Ashwin Borkar, Consultant Neurosurgeon specialized in brain and spine surgery, Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road talks about why one should not ignore spine problems and how back pain can land you in trouble if ignored. Know about various spine problems: A herniated disc can be seen when the cushioning has shifted and is bursting out of its casing. Muscular strain is seen due to overuse, stress and poor posture as the muscles near the spine get pressurized. This too can cause neck and back pain. Scoliosis means abnormal spinal bending or curvature and the pain can be categorized as minor to severe. Whiplash is a neck injury that can be seen due to sudden jerking or motion of the head. Moreover, it damages the intervertebral joints, discs, and ligaments present in the neck. Osteoporosis is a common spine problem that the majority of older adults encounter. It can lead to weakened bones due to a lower bone mass. Weakened bones in the spine tend to get brittle and damaged inviting fractures, and a hunched posture. Sciatica is a condition in which a person has sharp shooting pain radiating to legs associated with backache. Spondylosis is a general term used to describe pain from degenerative conditions related to the spine. All these spine conditions will need timely attention. The symptoms: One will exhibit symptoms like loss of movement, loss of bowel or bladder control, spasms, pain, or an intense stinging sensation due to the damage to the nerve fibres in your spinal cord, breathing problems, coughing, numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes, difficulty in walking, weakness, nausea and/or vomiting, stiffness and also tightness. Ignoring spine problems will land you in trouble: If not dealt with at the right time then there will be numbness or paralysis on an immediate basis or slowly and gradually. This can lead to permanent walking problems, and deteriorate your quality of life. One will struggle to do his/her basic activities with ease and may require constant assistance. Do not delay treatment and seek proper medical attention. The treatment will vary from one person to another depending on the symptoms and the underlying condition that one is detected with. Some tumours causing backache with radicular pain can be cured permanently by microsurgical excision. Prompt consultation with a spine surgeon, an early diagnosis and spine surgery can improve quality of life. Source: https://www.india.com/health/dangers-of-ignoring-your-back-pain-and-spine-problems-5069606/

What is a Compression Fracture? Small cracks or breaks in the vertebrae, which are the bones that make up your spinal column, are known as compression fractures. Specifically, the thick, rounded region on the front of each vertebra—the vertebral body—is where the fractures occur. The spine weakens and collapses as a result of bone fractures. These fractures eventually cause postural problems. The person has kyphosis, which causes the spine to bend forward and make them seem “hunched over.” These fractures may be the consequence of diseases like osteoporosis, which weakens the bones, or trauma like a fall or auto accident. In extreme cases, deformities may occur along with restricted mobility and abrupt onset of back discomfort.  Causes of Compression Fractures Osteoporosis is the primary causes of compression fractures. As we age, our bones gradually deteriorate. The spine’s vertebrae shrink and grow flatter. Fractures are more common in weaker bones. Additional reasons for compression fractures might be: Compression Fractures Symptoms The compression fractures symptoms might be minor or severe. It’s possible for some people to be without symptoms. When doing an X-ray for another problem, the doctor could find the fracture. However, a lot of people experience pain when standing or walking. The following are signs of a broken spine: Diagnosis of Compression Fractures Your doctor will examine you and inquire about your symptoms in order to identify a compression fracture. At the time of testing, the doctor will perform the following: Your doctor may also request imaging tests to get images of the bones, muscles, and soft tissues in your back. These imaging tests consist of: Compression Fractures Treatment  The goals of compression fracture treatment are to reduce pain, stabilise the spine’s bones, and stop further fractures. Treatment options might include the following, depending on the extent of the fracture and your general health: FAQs on Compression Fracture Q. How serious is a vertebral compression fracture? Serious consequences may arise from a spinal compression fracture, especially in the elderly. It frequently results in reduced mobility, height loss, and excruciating back pain. It is possible for complications to occur, including spine deformity, nerve damage, and a worse quality of life. A prompt diagnosis and suitable therapy are essential for the best possible outcome. Q. Can you walk with a spinal compression fracture? You may still be able to walk even if you have a broken back, depending on what induced your spinal fracture and what kind of fracture you have. If your fracture wasn’t brought on by an unexpected event, you probably still have mobility even though it might hurt (or make your pain worse). Q. What is the best treatment for spinal compression fractures? The optimal course of action for treating spinal compression fractures is determined by the patient’s general health as well as the fracture’s severity. Options include: Using medications for pain. Bed rest until better. Using a brace on the back. Visiting a physical therapist. If bone deterioration is detected, treat osteoporosis. Surgical procedures such as spinal fusion surgery, kyphoplasty, and vertebroplasty Q. What are the 3 types of compression fractures? Compression fractures can be of three types: Wedge fracture: A wedge-shaped fracture results from the collapsing of the front of the vertebral body. Crush Fracture: A crush fracture causes the vertebral body to collapse or be crushed completely. Burst fracture: A burst fracture causes the vertebral body to break into many pieces, which frequently harms nearby systems like blood arteries or nerves.

Mobility is life and it stands true with respect to all age groups, gender, or any class. Working from home laying in your bed or sofa or simply spending time thinking about the endless eternity, lack of physical exercises can do you more harm than you think. Lack of appropriate ergonomic setup or postural discipline can affect your back, neck, and knees and even cause headaches due to disturbed eyesight. The work from home routine has made people remain confined to the limited space of their homes. Gym enthusiasts or love to stay active might feel like this shut-down period is going to sabotage their fitness progress. Most of us fail to respect the appropriate routine activities in correlation to our natural circadian rhythm. Late-night binge-watching our favourite web series, irregular sleep, and diet habits are imposing an additional toll on an already disturbed exercise regime causing body aches and malaise. But don’t worry there are ways. Whether you love doing exercise or hate it, exercise is something that is going to strengthen your immune system and improve your mental health, which will not only keep you calm during this frightening time, but can also protect you from any kind of infections and viruses. Symptoms to watch for in this pandemic include fever, cough, tiredness and difficulty breathing and with weak immunity, you might not be able to deal with it. Here are some easy ways to improve your flexibility and reduce stiffness. Yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and stretching are all recommended for improving flexibility. While Pilates and yoga concentrate on building strength and flexibility, yoga is generally regarded as having a deeper focus on increasing the range of joint motion. Tai chi loosens muscles and stretches the whole body. It is especially useful for people with limited mobility, recovering from injury, or balance problems as it can be adapted to suit a range of abilities. Here are a few simple stretching exercises that can be practiced without special equipment from the comfort of basic and humble living space: Appropriate Balanced Diet And Nutrition Intake: We are what we consume. The entirety of our body makes, our behavior, attitude, and higher mental functions are in direct correlation to the type and make of our food in terms of content, quality, and quantity. Including good quality protein post-exercise, as part of a balanced diet, is a good move. When collagen, which is made from the building blocks of protein, is combined with vitamin C, it may help to decrease joint pain, supporting tendons and aiding recovery, and reducing muscle soreness. Take A Warm Bath To Reduce Pain And Stress: While a warm bath or shower may have more of a psychological benefit, it is worth a try. In this summer season, most of us resort to taking cold shower baths. One of the things that you have to overcome in stretching and increasing flexibility is the muscle’s natural protective response. So if you can relax the muscles via a warm shower or bath, you could potentially get more out of your stretches because you are starting with nice, warm, relaxed muscles. Practice Makes Person Perfect: Flexibility is not something you can change quickly, so practice often. It takes time and a concerted effort with a static stretching program. How flexible you need to depend on your lifestyle. I would suggest that we should try and inculcate a good ergonomic environment and adequate stretches to inculcate in our activities of daily living. For instance, if you have to pick up any object from the ground, try bending from your knees and hips keeping your back straight, and feel the stretch in your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and back.

Ankylosing spondylitis can give a tough time to anyone, although it’s more likely to start in the late teens and between the age group of 20- 40. It is common in men thrice than in women. Are you in the age group of 20 to 40? Do you encounter back pain frequently? Is it difficult for you to carry out your real-world-activities with ease owing to that notorious back pain? Do you tend to cancel your office meeting or avoid attending those important presentations due to back pain? Or are you unable to attend social gatherings or ceremonies? If yes, you must immediately consult to a doctor as your nagging back pain could be due to an underlying condition called ankylosing spondylitis which is a type of arthritis known to take toll on your back, advises Dr Dipti Patel, Consultant- Rheumatologist, Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. On the occasion of World Arthritis Day, here’s a brief about Ankylosing spondylitis and why managing it is the need of the hour. “Nowadays, back pain is commonly seen in young patients. But you will also be shocked to know that your notorious back pain could be indicative of a chronic condition called ankylosing spondylitis,” says Dr Patel. If you are one of those who encounter back pain after rest � like on getting up in the morning or after sitting for a long time, after long hours of driving a car, or while lifting a heavy object or while bending then beware! The expert explains why. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be termed as a type of arthritis that mainly affects one’s back. It occurs due to inflammation in the joints of the spine, leading to pain and stiffness. The word ankylosing stands for joining together or fusing and spondylitis can be described as the inflammation of one’s spine. The type of inflammation in AS causes the affected joints to get joined together and become one bone after a prolonged duration. Ankylosing spondylitis can give a tough time to anyone, although it’s more likely to start in the late teens and between the age group of 20- 40. It is common in men thrice than in women.