Back Pain
About Back Pain
An estimated 31 million adults suffer from chronic back pain annually. Lower back pain is the number one cause of disability worldwide. Back pain can be caused by many factors, including sedentary lifestyle, a chronic medical condition or an injury. But what are the common causes and symptoms that someone with back pain experiences?
Causes
We often hear from our patients that they feel as if their back pain developed overnight. They went to bed and everything was fine, and then when they woke up they were in a tremendous amount of pain. Back pain often develops without a specific cause that your doctor can trace. Even with all of the advancements in testing and imagery technology, it’s difficult to pinpoint what exactly has caused your back to be in so much pain.
- Muscle or Ligament Strain
- Arthritis
- Skeletal Irregularities
- Osteoporosis
- Bad Mattress
Symptoms
Back pain comes in many forms and durations, ranging from a constant, dull ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain is classified as pain that comes on quickly and lasts only a few days or a week. Chronic upper back pain or chronic lower back pain, however, is classified as pain that lasts for more than three months.
In most instances, back pain goes away with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. However, there are situations where even lying down can worsen the pain.
If you notice that any of the following signs or symptoms are accompanying your back pain, you should see a doctor for further examination:
- Weight loss
- Elevated body temperature (fever)
- Inflammation (swelling) of the back
- Persistent back pain – lying down or resting does not help
- Pain down the legs
- Pain reaching below the knees
- A recent injury, like a blow or trauma to your back
- Urinary incontinence – you urinate unintentionally (even small amounts)
- Difficulty urinating – passing urine is hard
- Fecal incontinence – you lose control of your bowels
- Numbness around the genitals
- Numbness around the anus
- Numbness around the buttocks
Treatments
The following treatments may be used to treat back pain:
- Anterior cervical fusions
- Anterior cervical fusion with cages and plates
- Endoscopic Spine Surgery
- Kyphoplasty
- Laminoforaminotomy (cervical and lumbar)
- iFuse
- Robotic Spine Surgery (ExcelsiusGPS)
- Laminectomy
- Laminotomy
- Foraminotomy
- Epidural Injections
- Joint Injections
- Trigger Point Injections
- Radiofrequency Denervation
- HF10 Spinal Cord Stimulation
- StimulatorEndoscopic Spine Surgery
- Anterior cervical fusion with cage
- Anterior cervical fusion with cages and plate
- Posterior cervical fusion
- Anterior lumbar interbody fusion
- Extreme lateral lumbar interbody fusions (XLIF)
- Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
- Pedicle screw fixation
What Patients Say About NeoSpine.
I’ve been with NeoSpine for over 2 years. I have receive the absolute best care possible. Their staff, administrative as well as healthcare are knowledgeable, supportive, empathetic and understanding. As a retired Registered Nurse I’m able to understand their practice requirements and they adhere to them and, at the same time make me feel that my needs are important. Best care ever. Thank you to all staff.
Rebecca D.
Puyallup, WA
I highly recommend Neospine for back or neck surgery as I have had both procedures done there. I am now free of pain and able to do things I was able to do prior to needing the operations. I am so impressed with their staff and could never begin to thank them enough!
Malissa E.
Puyallup, WA
The entire staff at Neospine were tremendous .I was fortunate to be under the care of Dr. Nwosu. He was fantastic, professional, friendly and highly skilled at interpreting and discussing options. My specific surgery was fantastic start to finish. A huge thank you to Dr. Nwosu and all staff at Neospine for taking part in my path to wellness.
Brady H.
Puyallup, WA