Back pain

There are several other causes of back pain which are more serious. Whenever pain starts suddenly or spreads down into the legs or associated with fever or has difficulties with urination or motion, needs to be evaluated by a doctor at the earliest. These symptoms are called as the `Red flags` of back pain. In such cases an MRI test is probably the most useful test in the evaluation of back pain. This MRI of the back will give a complete idea of the bones and nerves. MRI in such cases may show bone slippage or displacement of one bone over the other, disc herniation, pinching of the nerve of the legs or decrease in the density of the bones.

Depending on the MRI scan reports, treatment is tailored accordingly. In some cases, bed rest and physiotherapy is advised and in some severe cases minor surgery is advised. One type of surgery includes endoscopic procedures, which are useful as they decrease the amount of pain and the surgery can be performed on a day care basis. It means that after spine surgery the patient can go home the same day. However, not all cases can be performed by endoscope. Certain cases need to be operated by an open method.

Open surgeries are of two types. One such procedure is where the nerve roots are decompressed by removing a part of the bone of the spine and it usually means a procedure called ‘laminectomy’. There is another procedure called as a ‘laminectomy and Fusion’ in which screws and rods are used to stabilize the bones of the spine. With the availability of modern techniques these procedures are usually very successful and safe.