18/04/2023
BACKPAIN is very common and is an all age "disease" that is becoming increasingly common in the modern world. Note that I have used the term disease for a symptom; qualifying the same with the rampant prevalence of this particular complaint in at least 90% of an outpatient setting....
the BACK is broadly divided into an UPPER back, a MIDDLE BACK and a LOWER BACK and pain in the respective regions can come from various sources. Our spine being a dynamic structure is influenced by posture to a very large extent and the stresses that it takes is borne by the bones, joints, ligaments ,tendons, muscles and other supporting joints too. It is understandable that any one portion of this delicate balance can be affected by a failure of the others...
poor posture, body weight, lack of exercise, STRESS... all play a part too...
this stress can affect muscles ( MYALGIA ), ligaments and tendons ( ENTHESOPATHY ), bones and joints ( ARTHROPATHY ), the shock absorbers, namely the discs ( DISCOPATHY ) or in some cases, the nerves too ( NUROPATHY )...
so when we say "BACKACHE" it can be a problem of any one or a combination of more or ALL of the problems too..
the burden of identifying the particular affected portion/s lies with the orthopedic surgeon himself and since its a dynamic structure spinal problems become laborious to treat. EARLY consultation, appropriate INVESTIGATIONS and optimal TREATMENT ensures that things don't go out of hand.
The gamut of treatment options include simple rest, medication, avoidance patterns, physical therapy, bracing, MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE procedures and as a LAST RESORT....surgical management.
EARLY TO CONSULT is the key mantra to be followed
