HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE LOW BACK PAIN?
If you are experiencing back pain, you are not alone. 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point in their life. Understanding what is happening in your spine can help you find the best treatment possible. The experts at Oasis Orthopedic and Spine can help you find the condition that is causing your pain.
What Causes Low Back Pain?
Low back pain can be the result of an injury, or from age-related wear-and-tear. The most common pain is typically the result of a strain in a muscle or ligament. Lifting heavy objects or twisting incorrectly can cause trauma in your muscles and ligaments such as a pull, stretch, or even a tear.
Structures in the spine are highly interdependent so the specific cause of low back pain can be complicated and varied. That’s why it’s essential to meet with an expert at Oasis Orthopedic and Spine for a full evaluation to determine an accurate diagnosis.
Common conditions that cause lower back pain include:
- Disc Degeneration
- Bursitis & Tendonitis
- Fractures
- Nerve Damage
- Strains & Sprains
- Bone Spurs
- Disc Tear
- Sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
- Bulging Disc
- Herniated Disc
What Are the Symptoms of Low Back Pain?
Low back pain is a general symptom that could mean a wide variety of things based on your unique diagnosis. Common low back pain symptoms include:
- Dull aches
- Sharp pain
- Sore to the touch
- Trouble moving
- Reduced flexibility
- Muscle spasms
Low back pain can also include symptoms in other areas of the body. This is known as referring pain. For example, pain can travel to the groin, buttocks or legs. Referring pain can be an indication of conditions such as sciatica or nerve damage, this is an indication that you may have developed sciatica.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of low back pain, get a head start on diagnosing your condition below.
HOW IS LOW BACK PAIN TREATED?
The treatment for low back pain begins with an accurate diagnosis. The symptoms you are suffering from, as well as their severity and location, will play a significant role in how the experts at Oasis Orthopedic and Spine will approach your diagnosis and treatment.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Low Back Pain
Typically, the experts at Oasis Orthopedic and Spine begin low back pain treatment with non-surgical options. Common non-surgical treatment options for a low back pain includes:
- Over-the-counter or prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Cortisone injections
- Heat/cold therapy
- Stretching exercises and activity modifications
Surgical Treatments for Low Back Pain
If the diagnosis for your low back pain is severe, or non-surgical options do not provide relief, the experts at Oasis Orthopedic and Spine may recommend a surgical treatment. The specific surgery will be highly dependent on the conditions you are suffering from and other elements from your diagnosis such as imaging. Common surgical treatments for low back pain conditions include:
- Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
- Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
- Endoscopic Foraminotomy
- Endoscopic Laminectomy
- Endoscopic Lumbar Laminotomy
- Laser Spine Surgery
- Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (XLIF)
- Microdiscectomy
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Whether your low back pain treatment is non-surgical or surgical, seeking help is the first step. Find the right treatment for you with our treatment finder below.