The LCMC Health Neuroscience Institute is dedicated to helping those suffering
from back pain and spine issues before they become debilitating. While
many patients accept their back pain as a part of their life, there are
treatments available that may help to minimize or eliminate your pain.
Symptoms Of Lower Back Pain
While almost everyone has experienced some amount of lower back pain or
stiffness following strenuous activity, it is important to know when to
seek medical advice. Some individuals may only experience a dull, constant
ache, while others may have sharp shooting or stabbing pain.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
Severe pain following a fall or injury
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Leg weakness
Numbness in the groin area
Back pain when coughing or urinating
Unintentional weight loss
Pain that worsens with rest
Pain in combination with long-term steroid use, a history of cancer, or
a history of IV drug use
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
There are many factors that may be contributing to your lower back pain.
Some of these include:
Obesity or lack of physical activity
Lifting heavy objects
Poor posture
Muscle tears
Herniated or bulging discs
Abnormal growths
Narrowing of the space around the spinal cord (Spinal Stenosis)
Inflammation of the spinal joint (Spondylitis)
At-Home Relief
While you are waiting for your appointment, you may consider some of these
common practices for temporary relief of your back pain:
Ice
Ice may be used to reduce swelling and pain within the first 24-48 hours
of back pain starting. Be sure to place something (paper towel or cloth)
between the ice pack and your skin to avoid harming your skin.
Medicines
Some over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
may help temporarily relieve your pain. Check with your doctor for more
specific details on the correct dose and how often to take any medications.
Massage
Massage therapy is a great alternative option for loosening tight muscles
and reducing tension.
Heat
Like ice, applying heat to the affected area, through heating pads or warm
shower, may help to relieve back pain.
Injection Treatments
Our spine specialists offer minimally invasive treatment techniques that
can help drastically reduce your recovery time.
Vertiflex Superion for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower
back that compresses nerves. Patients may experience pain, tingling or
weakness in a foot or leg.
Using a minimally invasive technique under local anesthesia, the Vertiflex
Superion implant is placed between the compressed vertebrae to hold them
in the proper position thereby decompressing the nerves by enlarging the
space between the vertebrae. This procedure is typically done in an outpatient
setting with minimal recovery time.
Epidural Steroid Injection
An epidural steroid injection is comprised of a corticosteroid and a numbing
agent. This treatment is minimally invasive and involves injecting these
medications into the space between the vertebra and the protective sac
around your spinal nerves. This treatment may be used for patients with
herniated discs, sciatica pain, or spinal stenosis, among other things.
Facet Injection
Facet joints are located between each set of vertebrae in the spine. Facet
injections or “blocks” are used to reduce swelling and inflammation
around these joints. The procedure is minimally invasive and is performed
using local anesthetic.
Surgical Treatments
Laminectomy
Your physician may recommend a laminectomy if less invasive treatment options
have been unsuccessful or if symptoms are severe or worsen significantly.
Spinal Fusion/TruFUSE
TruFUSE is a minimally invasive technique that uses uniquely designed dowels
and specialty surgical tools to provide immediate spinal stabilization
and improving possibilities for fusion. It’s designed to correct
deformity, improve stability, or as part of a herniated disc treatment.
Mobi-C Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement
Mobi-C Artificial Disc replacement is an innovative treatment designed
to eliminate pain while restoring motion and disc height with faster recovery
time than spinal fusion.
Discectomy
A discectomy is a procedure performed under general anesthesia that removes
the damaged portion of a herniated disc. The procedure is most effective
for pain that radiates down your arms or legs.
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed by inserting
a needle through your back into the fractured vertebra. A balloon is then
inserted and inflated to expand the compressed vertebra to normal height.
Bone cement is then used to fill the space and keep the vertebra in the
proper place.
