low back ache and sciatica
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
LOW BACK ACHE AND SCIATICA
Spinal pain is multifaceted- involving Structural Biomechanical Biochemical Medical Psychosocial influences
Treatment is often difficult/ineffective
LBA is defined as chronic (cLBA) after 3 months because most connective tissues heal within 6-12 weeks, unless pathoanatomic instability persists.
cLBA is the most common cause of disability in adults younger than 45 years.
LBA is the most expensive benign condition in industrialized countries.
SCIATICA- leg pain that is localised in the distribution of one or more lumbosacral nerve roots, typically L4-S2, with or without neurological deficit.
Non specific radicular pattern- when dermatomal distribution is unclear
RISK FACTORS Men=women(>60 years: women> men) Sciatica –fourth and fifth decades of life Extreme height Cigarette smoking Morbid obesity Weakness of trunk extensor muscles compared with
flexor strength– sciatica Occupational risk factors- heavy physical work,
lifting, prolonged static work postures, simultaneous bending and twisting, exposure to vibration
CLINICAL EVALUATION HISTORY-characterization of pain as mechanical-most often aggravated by static loading of the spine, long- lever activities and levered postures. Pain relieved by rest.Non mechanical pain- r/o serious causes like infection and cancer.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION Complete inspection- limb length
discrepancy and pelvic obliquity,scoliosis, postural dysfunction with forward leaning head and shoulders, accentuated kyphosis.
Any soft tissue abnormalities and tenderness to palpation should be noted.
palpation of lumbar paraspinal, buttock and other regional muscles- note areas with superficial and deep muscle spasms.
SLRT with patient supine-ipsilateral leg pain between 10 and 60 degrees- positive
SLRT that produces pain in the opposite leg carries a high probability of disc herniation- investigate Reverse SLRT Neurological evaluation is performed to
determine the presence or absence of and levels(if present ) of radiculopathy or myelopathy.
Mechanical/activity- related causes of LBP Discal and segmental degeneration- may include
facet arthropathy from osteoarthritis Myofascial, muscle spasm or other soft tissue
injuries and/or disorders Radiographic spinal instability with possible
fracture or spondylolisthesis- may be due to trauma or degeneration
Fracture of bony vertebral body or trijoint complex- may not reveal overt radiographic instability
Spinal canal or lateral recess stenosis Arachnoiditis, including postoperative scarring
Disorders associated with non mechanical LBA Neurological syndromes myelopathy from intrinsic or extrinsic
processes Lumbosacral plexopathy esp from diabetes Neuropathy including the inflammatory,
demyelinating type- eg. Guillan Barre syndrome
Myopathy Dystonia
Systemic disorders Neoplasms Infections Metabolic bone diseases Vascular disorders Referred pain Gastro intestinal disorders Genitourinary disorders Gynaecological disorders
DIAGNOSTIC STRATEGIES PLAIN XRAYS(AP/LATERAL) OF LUMBAR SPINE-
indicated for patients older than 50 years CT SCANNING- effective when the spinal and
neurological levels are clear and bony pathology is suspected.
MRI- useful when the spinal and neurological levels are unclear and a pathological condition of disc or spinal cord is suspected.
MYELOGRAPHY –useful in elucidating nerve root pathology
EMG/SSEP
NON OPERATIVE TREATMENT NSAIDS Muscle spasmolytics Neuropathic pain analgesics Antidepressants(TCA) Opiod analgesics
3 phases depending upon the duration of symptoms:
PRIMARYPassively applied physical therapy during the acute phase of soft tissue healing(<6 week) SECONDARYSpine care educationActive exercise programs during the subacute phase between 6-12 weeks with physical therapy-driven goals to achieve preinjury levels of physical and psychological deconditioning and disability.
TERTIARYWhen spinal pain persists into the chronic phase, therapeutic interventions shift from rest and applied therapies to active exercise and physical restoration.
Therapeutic injections, manual therapy and other externally applied therapies should be used adjunctively to reduce pain so that strength and flexibility can continue.
Elimination of activity of positive biomechanical loading can only be achieved by BEDREST.
Bedrest is usually considered an appropriate treatment for acute backpain.
Topical treatment is drug delivery over or onto the painful site.
The medication is deivered through the skin to a shallow depth <2cm and acts locally without producing systemic side effects.
Bisphosponates (palmidronate) have recently attracted attention as a potential new treatment for mechanical spinal pain involving discal and radicular structures.
SPINAL INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURESLocal anaesthetics, corticosteroids or other substances may be directly injected into painful soft tissuess, facet joints or epidural spaces. Local injections into paravertebral soft tissues, specifically into myofascial trigger points are widely advocated. Intra-articular facet blocks are also advocated.Medial branch blocks have been used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Epidural injections, epidural adhesiolysis are also other methods
Intradiscal ElectroThermal Therapy (IDET)Is a minimally invasive technique in which the annulus is subjected to thermo-modulation, thereby reducing the nociception reduced by mechanical loading of a painful disc.
SURGERY The benefit of lumbar spine surgery is not
controversial in many clinical circumstances like major trauma, chronic or complicated spinal infection etc
Moden suregery for LDD and sciatica are characterised by small incisions, minimal blood loss and early hospital discharge with post- operative convalescence lasting only a few weeks.
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR THE SPINE CAN BE DIVIDED INTO PASSIVE AND ACTIVE THERAPIES:
Passive therapy includes ultrasound, electric muscle stimulation, traction, heat and ice and manual therapy, were appropriate for short term treatment for acute backpain or acute exacerbation of a chronic backpain,
Corsets and braces are long used adjuncts for treatment.
Traction is a long endured medical prescription for LBP and is incorporated into a variety of methods to treat conditions of the spine.
Education/ cognitive behavioural therapy.
Exercise
THANK YOU!