10. After age 50 or 60, osteoarthritic degeneration
(spondylosis) or spinal stenosis are more likely
causes of low back pain or leg pain.
11.
12.
13. Then the disc does press on a nerve, symptoms
may include:
Pain that travels through the buttock and
down a leg to the ankle or foot because of
pressure on the sciatic nerve. Low back pain
(LUMBAGO) may accompany the leg pain.
17. Weakness in certain muscles in one or both legs.
Pain in the front of the thigh.
Severe deep muscle pain and muscle spasms.
18. Weakness in both legs and the loss of
bladder and/or bowel control are symptoms of
a specific and severe type of nerve root
compression called CAUDA EQUINA
SYNDROME.
19. If the herniated disc is in the lumbar region
the patient may also experience SCIATICA due
to irritation of one of the nerve roots of the sciatic
nerve.
20.
21.
22. -The lower back (lumbar area) of the spine
is the most common area affected by a
slipped disk.
-The neck (cervical area) disks are the
second most commonly affected area.
-The upper-to-mid-back (thoracic area)
disks are rarely involved.
23. 4.8% males and 2.5% females older than 35
experience sciatica during their lifetime.
Of all individuals, 60% to 80% experience back
pain during their lifetime.
In 14%, pain lasts more than 2 weeks.
Generally, males have a slightly higher incidence
than females.
25. The straight leg raise, also called Lasègue's
sign, Lasègue test or Lazarević's sign, is a test done
during the physical examination to determine whether
a patient with low back pain has an underlying
herniated disk, often located at L5 (fifth lumbar spinal
nerve).
26. TECHNIQUE
With the patient lying down on his or her back on
an examination table or exam floor, the examiner
lifts the patient's leg while the knee is straight.
A variation is to lift the leg while the patient is
sitting. However, this reduces the sensitivity of the
test.
27. In order to make this test more specific, the ankle
can be dorsiflexed and the cervical spine flexed.
This increases the stretching of the nerve root and
dura.
28. Lasègue's sign was named after Charles
Lasègue (1816-1883).In 1864 Lasègue described
the signs of developing low back pain while
straightening the knee when the leg has already
been lifted.
30. In 1880, Serbian doctor Laza Lazarević
described the straight leg raise test as it is used
today, so the sign is often named Lazarević's sign in
Serbia and some other countries.
37. Electromyogram and Nerve conduction studies
(EMG/NCS)
These tests measure the electrical impulse along
nerve roots, peripheral nerves, and muscle tissue.
38. This will indicate whether there is ongoing
nerve damage, if the nerves are in a state of healing
from a past injury, or whether there is another site of
nerve compression. EMG/NCS studies are typically
used to pinpoint the sources of nerve dysfunction
distal to the spine.
39. The presence and severity of myelopathy
(known as (acute) spinal cord injury) can be
evaluated by means of Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation (TMS).
40. A neurophysiological method that allows the
measurement of the time required for a neural
impulse to cross the pyramidal tracts, starting from
the cerebral cortex and ending at the anterior horn
cells of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spinal cord.
This measurement is called Central Conduction
Time (CCT).
41. MEDICATIONS
Acetaminophen (paracetamol)
NSAIDs
Muscle relaxants
If the pain is still not managed adequately,
short term use of opioids such as morphine
may be useful
42. Antidepressants may be effective for treating
chronic pain associated with symptoms of
depression, but they have a risk of side effects.
43. Antiseizure drugs gabapentin and
carbamazepine are sometimes used for chronic
low back pain and may relieve sciatic pain, there
is insufficient evidence to support their use.
44. NON-SURGICAL METHODS
Education on proper body mechanics
Physical therapy, to address mechanical
factors, and may include modalities to
temporarily relieve pain (i.e. traction, electrical
stimulation, massage)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs)
45. Weight control
Spinal manipulation: Moderate quality evidence
suggests that spinal manipulation is more
effective than placebo for the treatment of acute
(less than 3 months duration) lumbar disc
herniation and acute sciatica.
46.
47. Contraindication: Spinal manipulation is
contraindicated for disc herniations when there are
progressive neurological deficits such as with cauda
equina syndrome.
50. SURGICAL METHODS
Discectomy (the partial removal of a disc that is
causing leg pain) can provide pain relief sooner than
nonsurgical treatments. Discectomy has better
outcomes at one year but not at four to ten years.
54. The presence of cauda equina syndrome (in
which there is incontinence, weakness and genital
numbness) is considered a medical emergency
requiring immediate attention and possibly Surgical
Decompression.
55.
56. PREVENTION
There are various causes for back injuries,
prevention must be comprehensive. Back injuries
are predominant in manual labor so the majority low
back pain prevention methods have been applied
primarily toward biomechanics. Prevention must
come from multiple sources such as education,
proper body mechanics, and physical fitness.
57.
58. EDUCATION
Education should emphasize not lifting
beyond one's capabilities and giving the body a rest
after strenuous effort. Over time, poor posture can
cause the IVD to tear or become damaged. Striving
to maintain proper posture and alignment will aid in
preventing disc degradation.
59. EXERCISE
Exercises that are used to enhance back
strength may also be used to prevent back injuries.
Back exercises include the prone press-ups, upper
back extension, transverse abdominus bracing, and
floor bridges.
60. Other preventative measures are to lose
weight and to not work oneself past fatigue. Signs of
fatigue include shaking, poor coordination, muscle
burning and loss of the transverse abdominal brace.
Heavy lifting should be done with the legs
performing the work, and not the back.
61. Swimming is a common tool used in strength
training. The usage of lumbar sacral support belts
may restrict movement at the spine and support the
back during lifting.
