Should I be worried about my backache?
Backache is an extremely common symptom affecting some 80% of the population at some point of their life. While in most instances, the pain should resolve within a few days, it can also last up to 6 weeks even if the cause was just a sprain.
What should make me suspect something might be wrong?
These are some symptoms that should make you seek the services of a medical professional:
- Movement in all directions causes pain
- One finger can be used to point to the location of the pain ie not generalized
- Persistent pain with no relief even at rest
- Sensation of numbness, pins & needles in either one or both legs
- Weakness in the legs
- Difficulty in passing urine or bowel movement
- Associated loss of appetite, loss of weight, generalized malaise & lethargy
- Previous history/family history of cancer
What can I do if it is just a sprain from over exertion?
Treatment essentially consists of pain relief in the form of medications as well as rest. Rest reduces the daily stress on the back and gives the muscles and opportunity to heal.
Medications will be prescribed by your doctor taking into account any history of allergy as well as kidney and gastric problems. Not all forms of pain killers may be suitable for you.
You may also use ice packs or hot packs to help alleviate the pain. Your doctor may also introduce you to a series of simple exercises to help strengthen your back.
Am I more likely to suffer from this again in the future?
Within the first few months of the first episode, about a third of patients may suffer from a relapse. Hence, understanding how to prevent aggravation of your backache as well as early treatment will help.
My doctor says it may be a slipped disc. What happens now?
The first thing that needs to be done is to consult your orthopaedic surgeon. He will arrange for X-rays and MRIs may also be required. These will help in not only determining if you do indeed have a slipped disc but also exclude other possible diagnosis such as tumours and infections.
A slipped disc may also caused feelings of pain, numbness or pins & needles in your legs due irritation of the nerves near your spine.
Fortunately, in up to 90% of patients, the pain will require in 6 weeks without the need for surgery. Treatment will involve a combination of pain relief, manipulation and physiotherapy.
However, in the proportion of patients with significant symptoms, surgery to remove part of the disc irritating the nerve may be the most appropriate form of treatment.