Low back pain is one of the most common types of pain after headaches today. At some point in life, people experience this pain. The lumbar vertebrae are constantly under load due to their mobile structure and are very sensitive to impacts and diseases. Low back pain usually occurs due to reasons such as poor posture, lack of exercise and excess weight, and can cause the back muscles to weaken over time.
Low back pain can be caused by a variety of reasons, not just a herniated disc. Structural disorders, congenital anomalies, spinal curvature (scoliosis) or spinal displacement (listhesis) can cause severe low back pain. Internal organ cancers can also manifest themselves as low back pain, so pain should be taken seriously and examined in detail.
Causes of Low Back Pain
Common conditions that can cause back pain include a herniated disc, disc degeneration (black disc), facet joint syndrome, and spondylolisthesis. Pain that occurs after back surgery is also included in this category.
Low Back Pain Symptoms
Low back pain is usually concentrated in the waist, sometimes it can spread to the hip and front of the leg. The pain usually increases when standing or sitting for a long time, and decreases with walking and rest. In a herniated disc, leg pain, numbness, tingling and burning sensations are seen; problems with urinary and defecation functions can also occur.
Low Back Pain Diagnosis
Physical examination is critical for the diagnosis of low back pain. During the examination, low back movements, straight leg raises and stretching tests are performed. Loss of sensation and motor weakness in areas under nerve compression are examined. If necessary, imaging techniques such as X-ray, MRI or myelography are used.
Low Back Pain Treatment
The vast majority of patients diagnosed with a herniated disc can be treated with methods that do not require surgery. In the first stage, painkillers, muscle relaxants and physical therapy are applied. In cases where there is no response, methods such as epidural steroid injections applied to the lumbar region can be preferred. In addition, advanced treatment options such as spinal cord pacemakers are also available.
