Low-back pain is the expression of the malfunction of the spine and compression or irritation of the nervous structure, which leads to strong muscle contractures. In addition, according to the World Health Organization, low back pain is the most frequent among musculoskeletal disorders, being the leading cause of disability in more than 160 countries. On this occasion, Dr. Einer Concha, neurosurgeon at Clinica Ricardo Palma, will give us more information on the subject.

Causes of low-back pain

Among the main causes are:

• Muscle injuries such as sprains
• Pathologies of the spine such as vertebral listhesis, herniated discs, among others

On the other hand, there are other causes that are not directly related to the spine, such as:

• Renal problems
• Urinary infections
• Ovarian cysts, among others

Risk factors

These factors can increase the risk of back problems:

• Inadequate postures: produce muscle fatigue and pain. If they are not corrected in time, they influence the degeneration of the spine.
• Overweight: excess weight represents an overload for the spine, increasing pain in patients who already have a disease in it.
• High-heeled shoes: predispose to the onset of pain in patients who are not used to it, especially if they are very tall.
• Lack of exercise: weak back and abdominal muscles can cause pain.

Treatment

The most used medications are anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants, if the symptoms are acute. When it is a chronic condition, the use of analgesics is recommended. On the other hand, if the pain is persistent and does not improve despite various conservative treatments or when signs of nerve injury appear, surgery is recommended.

Dr. Einer Concha
Neurosurgeon at Clínica Ricardo Palma