One of the biggest problems that many people have these days is back pain. Sometimes you might think that this is not something that you should worry about, but there are actually some types of back pain that are a little bit special, that is, different from other common back pains. So, today we are going to talk about one such special type of back pain. Knowing this properly will be of great help to you.
What is this so-called Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain?
Simply put, Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain is caused by damage to the vertebral endplates in your spine. Now you may be wondering what these vertebral endplates are.
Imagine, your spine is made up of small bones stacked on top of each other, which we call vertebrae. When there is another vertebra on top of each other, there is something like a mattress in between, which we call the intervertebral disc , or simply the disc. This disc is what allows the spine to bend back and forth, and it also absorbs the shocks that come to the back when we jump and run. Between that vertebra and the disc, there are two thin membranes that are like a protective cover, called the vertebral endplates . So, if these are damaged in any way, that's where this particular back pain starts.
Why is this different from other back pains?
Yes, this is a little different. Usually when we think of back pain, we think of something that happened due to an injury or something like arthritis. But the main cause of this (Vertebrogenic) back pain is damage to the vertebral endplates that we talked about earlier.
In the past, doctors often thought that the cause of persistent back pain was degenerative disc disease or arthritis. But later, researchers discovered that there are nerves inside our vertebrae that sense pain, and when they are irritated, pain can occur. With that discovery, it became clear that there could be other causes of back pain. That means that not all back pain is caused by degenerative disc disease or arthritis.
How common is this condition?
In fact, it's hard to say exactly how many people have this (vertebrogenic) back pain. It's said that more than 30 million people in a country like America have some form of persistent back pain. However, it's not known exactly how many of them have this (vertebrogenic) condition. This is because doctors can only find the exact cause of about 20% of back pain. The other 80% are classified as non-specific back pain.
What are the symptoms of this?
People with this (vertebrogenic) back pain often describe a burning, squeezing pain in the middle of their back. It feels like a deep, shooting pain. For some people, this pain is referred pain . That is, the pain is felt in a different area than where it originates.
Often this pain increases:
- When you sit in one place for a long time.
- When you are physically active .
- When you bend forward .
These symptoms are so similar to those of degenerative disc disease that even a doctor can sometimes mistake one for the other. What's more, some people can have both conditions at the same time .
Additional features that come with disk issues
If the vertebral endplates in your lower back are damaged and you have a degenerated disc, you may experience additional symptoms. In such cases:
- You may feel tingling in your limbs.
- Some places are numb .
- Weakness in the limbs.
These symptoms occur because the disc can herniate and impinge on nearby nerves. This does not always happen, but it can happen.
What causes this?
As we mentioned earlier, the main cause of this (vertebrogenic) back pain is damage to the vertebral endplates. So, there can be many reasons for damage to these endplates:
- Everyday wear and tear: It's like the wear and tear you get from using a machine.
- Obesity: When body weight increases, the spine also has to bear that weight.
- Increased height: Taller people can also experience a little more pressure on their backs.
- Physically demanding jobs: People who lift heavy weights, stand for long periods of time, and work in the same position are at higher risk.
- If someone in the family has a history of persistent headaches (Family history): There may also be a genetic influence.
- Smoking: Smoking can affect the blood vessels in the body and reduce the amount of blood that reaches these areas.
- Trauma or fall: A sudden, major impact can also damage these areas.
How does a doctor diagnose this?
When you go to see a doctor with back pain, the first thing he or she will do is give you a complete physical examination . They will feel your back, ask you to bend and twist in different directions to see which positions are most painful. They will also ask you about your symptoms and whether anyone in your family has had back problems.
Then, if your doctor thinks there is something wrong with your back, he or she will likely order imaging tests . The first thing that is usually done for back pain is an X-ray of your back . Depending on the information obtained, the doctor may need more information. If so, he or she may order a CT scan (Computed Tomography scan) or an MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan) . MRI scans can often show signs of bone marrow inflammation and changes or damage to the vertebral endplates.
What are the treatments?
The good news is that there are several treatments for this (vertebrogenic) back pain. A doctor can help you choose the treatment that is best for you.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These are the drugs we usually take for pain and swelling. Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These should be used as directed by your doctor.
- Physical therapy: This is also a very important treatment. A physical therapist will teach you special exercises and stretches that will strengthen your back and reduce pain. If you do these correctly, you will get great relief.
- Muscle relaxers: In some cases, if the muscles around your spine are tight, these types of drugs can be given to relax them. However, because they can make you drowsy and can be addictive if used continuously, doctors usually only prescribe them for a short period of time.
- Intracept® procedure (basivertebral nerve ablation): Suppose you have tried other treatments (such as massage, physical therapy) for about six months and your back pain is not getting better. In such a case, a doctor may suggest a special procedure called Intracept®. This involves using a very fine instrument and applying heat to damage (ablate) the main pain-carrying nerve (basivertebral nerve) inside the vertebra. This stops the pain signals from that nerve from going to the brain, and the pain is reduced.
Important: All of these treatments should only be done under the advice and supervision of a doctor. Do not take any medications or exercise on your own.
How long will it take to recover from this condition? (Outlook)
There are more treatment options for people with Vertebrogenic Back Pain than ever before. That's a good thing. However, it can take a while to get a proper diagnosis . Also, you may have to try several treatments until you find the right one. You may not find the right treatment right away.
Statistically, the most successful treatment for this (vertebrogenic) back pain is the procedure we discussed earlier (basivertebral nerve ablation) . However, if you want to get this treatment through insurance, you will likely have to first prove that other common treatments (such as painkillers, physical therapy) have failed. Your doctor can help you with this, and can also teach you ways to reduce pain during treatment.
How do you prevent this from happening? (Prevention)
Since this (vertebrogenic) back pain is often a natural part of our body's wear and tear, it's difficult to completely prevent it . However, there are a few things we can do to reduce our risk:
- Maintain a healthy weight for your height: As your body weight increases, the pressure on your back increases.
- Exercise regularly: It is very important to do core strengthening exercises, especially those around the back and abdomen.
- Stretch regularly: If you have a job that requires you to sit in one place for a long time, it's a good idea to get up and stretch your body a little, moving around, at least once an hour.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can interfere with the body's healing process.
When should I see a doctor?
A normal backache should subside in a few days or a week. However, if you have any of these symptoms , you should definitely see a doctor without delay :
- A backache that hasn't subsided after two or three weeks.
- A backache that doesn't go away even after taking medicine or resting.
- If you feel like your back pain is gradually getting worse .
- If you experience symptoms such as tingling , numbness , or weakness in your hands or feet.
- Stand up, if you feel like walking is difficult .
- If you have other symptoms such as fever and weight loss along with back pain.
Finally, the most important thing (Take-Home Message)
Back pain can have a huge impact on our daily lives. It can be very annoying not only when going to work, doing household chores, or playing sports, but also when we are just sitting around. Especially when we have persistent pain like this that does not subside with regular treatments, it can be very distressing and sometimes even hopeless.
Remember: If you also have a burning, squeezing pain in the middle of your back, it could be Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain. So, don't be afraid or worried about it, but definitely talk to a doctor to find out exactly what your symptoms are and what the best treatment is. If you start the right treatment as soon as possible, you will be able to get rid of this pain and enjoy your work again!
` vertebrogenic low back pain, back pain, back pain, vertebral end plates, basivertebral nerve ablation, back pain, back pain
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න