Week 3 - Mechanical Back Pain Flashcards
Describe Mechanical Back pain
recurrent relapsing and remitting back pain with no neurological symptoms
how does mechanical back pain present?
pain is worse on movement and relieved by rest
patients tend to be between 20-60 and have had several previous flare ups but no red flags
name 8 possible causes for mechanical back pain
obesity poor posture poor lifting technique lack of physical activity depression degenerative disc disease facet joint OA Spondylosis
what is spondylosis?
where the IV discs lose water with age resulting in less cushioning and increased pressure on facet joints leading to secondary OA
how is mechanical back pain treated?
analgesia and physiotherapy
reassurance
advice normal activity and avoid bed rest
when might spinal stabilization surgery be used?
if single level is affected by OA/instability and if the patient has not improved with physio and conservative management and there is no other adverse secondary gain or behavioural issues which may adversely affect surgery outcome
what might suggest a secondary gain from spinal surgery?
disability allowance appeal
compensation claim
psychological dysfunction
do most patients have single or multi level disease? what does this mean?
most have multi level
single level = two adjacent vertebra (L3/L4)
multi level = several levels along spine
how successful is spinal stabilization surgery?
long term results suggest recurrence and no benefits after 5 years
