Transcript lumbago - Department of Pathological Physiology

Presentation for Elective:
Current Health Problems in Students’ Home Countries
LUMBAGO
By: Mairi Sapountzi & Yoginee Sritharen
What is lumbago?
• Lumbago is pain at the level of the lumbar
vertebrae, that is, at the base of the back. More
often than not, onset of the pain occurs suddenly
after a false movement or an effort made trying
to get up.
• Lumbago often occurs in younger people whose
work involves physical effort and is not
uncommon in people of retirement age.
• It is thought to be the #2 most common health
problem in America and other countries, after
colds and the flu
What causes lumbago?
ACTIONS
• Lifting a heavy object off the floor without bending legs
• A sudden or even commonplace movement (such as getting out of bed)
• Doing sport without warming up first
CONDITIONS
• Herniated Disc (sometimes called a slipped disc)
• Osteoarthritis or Spondylosis (spinal arthritis)
• Osteoporosis (brittle bone disease, spinal fracture)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (progressive, sometimes destructive arthritis)
• Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine to the left or right)
• Spinal Stenosis (compression of the spinal nerves)
• Spinal Tumor (benign or malignant/cancer)
Lumbago Animation
Symptoms of Lumbago
• The primary symptom is lower back pain.
• Lower back pain may radiate into the buttocks,
back of the thigh, into the groin.
• Back pain (lumbago) may be aggravated during
movement. Pain from bending forward,
backward or side-to-side may limit activity.
• Spinal muscle spasms cause the back to feel
stiff and sore.
• Back pain and muscle spasm can be so acute
that posture is affected. The patient may appear
to be listing to one side.
• Lumbago may cause tingling sensations to be
felt in the low back, buttocks, and legs.
Danger Signs
• Inability to control bladder or bowel movement
• Numbness in the area of the lower back or legs turn
numb
• Reduced strength or muscle bulk in one or both legs
Immediate contact with a doctor or Accident and
Emergency department should be made if any of the
above warning signs appear.
These warning signs indicate compression of the spinal
cord and its branches and early treatment is essential if
permanent damage is to be avoided.
Diagnosis of Lumbago
In most cases, a back problem can be diagnosed by a doctor from
the information given by the patient, but most commonly a physical
examination and an examination using diagnostic tools is made for
confirmation and correct diagnosis.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Chiropractors usually perform a specially thorough examination and
will observe the movement of the joints in the spine, pelvis, and hips;
perform orthopaedic and muscle tests; and check to see if any
nerves are trapped in the spine.
EXAMINATION USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT
X-ray and MRI scans are used to visualize the spine in an attempt to
find the source of the lumbago and to rule out serious underlying
pain causing factors.
Treatment of Lumbago
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT
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Bed rest: A temporary bed rest relaxes the back.
Warm therapy (Warm bottle, warm pillows, warm packs etc.): The effect of
the warm therapy is primarily muscle relaxation. The share of pain, which is
caused by muscle strain, can be well treated hereby.
Pain medicines in pill form (analgesics, NSAR): They function purely
symptomatically by reducing the pain.
Pain infusion: Stronger form of the medical pain therapy with more rapid
onset of effectiveness.
Muscle relaxing medicines: The share of pain that is caused by muscle
strain can be well treated hereby.
Infiltrations into the region of pain: Pain injections with a local anesthetic
in the skin, the muscle or along the vertebrae are very effective. In the hands
of family doctors, pain injections in the muscles of the buttocks are
commonly administered.
Physiotherapy: Physiotherapeutic exercise treatments, such as extension
and traction (tensile treatment) cause a reduction in pain. Movement
inhibited sectors of the spinal column are treated with mobilization
techniques (part of the manual therapy).
Massage: Massages serve to relax tissue and muscles.
SURGICAL TREATMENT
• A surgical approach is only used for lumbago caused by
damage to the spine, or chronic lumbago which keeps
recurring.
• Surgical options vary depending on the cause of the
lower back pain, and surgeons usually discuss the
available choices carefully with their patients.
• Surgery can restore the integrity of the spine, ideally
while preserving the patient's mobility and flexibility.
REFERENCES:
• http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticl
e.php/article2965.html
• http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/l
umbago.htm
• http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-somecauses-of-lumbago.htm
• http://www.gibaud.com/gb/pathologies/zon
es-anatomiques/tronc/lumbago.html