What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is very common, especially for people over the age of 30. The lumbar spine is the medical term for the 5 bones in the lower back region of the body. This area is susceptible to fractures, herniated discs, strains, sprains, and arthritis. Structural conditions like scoliosis and spinal stenosis can also cause back issues. Likewise, diseases such as spondylolisthesis and spine tumors lead to lower back issues.
Understanding sciatica and the effect on the lumbar spine
The sciatic nerve is a long nerve that starts at the spine and runs down the back into the thighs. This nerve enables movement like walking and running. Sciatica, known medically as lumbar radiculopathy, occurs when the sciatic nerve is inflamed. The inflammation can be the result of another condition, like a herniated disc. A common sciatica symptom is shooting pain in the back, hips, legs, and buttocks. Sometimes, sciatica resolves itself, but patients should still seek medical attention for these symptoms.
Evaluating lumbar stenosis
Lumbar or spinal stenosis is another nerve-related condition that results in lower back pain. The spinal canal contains the spinal cord. Patients can develop spinal stenosis when the space between the cord and the canal narrows. The nerves within the spinal cord become pinched and irritated, leading to lower back pain. Spinal stenosis is also a precursor to sciatica.
Diagnostic testing for lower back pain
Doctors will conduct tests, including imaging and physical evaluations, to determine the source of back pain issues. A spine X-ray uses electromagnetic waves to provide images of the bones and discs within the spinal column. Doctors will order X-rays for the lumbar spine, which is the lower vertebrae. The X-ray images will reveal any fractures, osteoporosis, tumors, dislocated discs, spine curvatures, and other complications. Once the problem is identified, doctors can work on a treatment plan.
Lumbar nerve blocks
The bones within the lumbar spine are larger and thicker than other bones within the vertebrae. The lumbar sympathetic nerve block injection is a local anesthetic that numbs the areas causing lower back pain. This provides relief to patients experiencing discomfort in the back, legs, and buttocks. The lumbar sympathetic nerves located in the lumbar spine send pain signals to other areas of the body. The injection stops the nerves from sending pain signals, which alleviates pain symptoms.
Administering lumbar nerve block injections
Before the procedure, patients lie face down while receiving a sedative administered through an IV. Then, the doctor cleans the area and uses an imaging machine to view the lumbar region. Sometimes, contrast dye is used to locate the correct area. Finally, doctors inject an anti-inflammatory steroid into the specified area. Patients may experience some numbness after the injection, but recovery takes around 24 hours.
The importance of a doctor
Patients experiencing lower back pain should reach out to a physician to receive a proper diagnosis. A physician will be able to identify the issue and decide if the patient needs lumbar nerve blocks or another treatment to address the problem.
