Back Pain Management

Facet Joint Syndrome

Maintaining Good Back Posture and Back Care Reduces back pain symptoms

(Ipoh News) Gravitational force on our spine causing early degeneration (wear and tear of spine) which compounded by our bad posture and eventually leads to back pain. Prevention is better than cure, so start to pay more attention on your posture and back care now to reduce back pain symptoms.

Dr Kew Sai Chong, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Pantai Hospital in Ipoh, pointed out that the common cause of back pain or worsening of back pain that lead to limb weakness is early degeneration of the spine, which may even progress to Disc prolapsed in which it will compress the nerve roots causing pain radiating to the leg and buttock. In this stage, patient is necessary to see a doctor for emergency treatment to prevent permanent damage to the spinal cord and nerves.

The back pain, is usually started by initial trauma to the back like falls, spine injury, prolong heavy work of carrying heavy objects, or prolonged sitting and standing

Dr Kew Sai Chong suggested that the elderly should not sit on lazy chairs for a long time to avoid further sagging of the spine. The best way is to train their bodies to have a good posture to improve back pain problems, including placing a large chair behind the waist when sitting. The pillow pushes the spine toward its normal curvature.

Dr Kew Sai Chong suggested that everyone should have a good posture to prevent /improve back pain problem.

Dr Kew Sai Chong suggested that everyone should have a good posture to prevent /improve back pain problem.

In addition, many patients especially elderly when told that they have bones spurs, they will get panic. As said by Dr Kew, bone spurs are just natural progression of the joint as we get older.

The reason is that as you grow older your joints will be worn out and lack of joint fluid leading to instability of the joint. And because of this instability, the joint reacts naturally by forming bone spurs to stabilised back the joint. So all of us will develop bone spurs sooner or later. But not to worry as long as the bone spurs doesn’t compress the nerve or causing any pain.

Dr Kew Sai Chong advised patient who has minimal bone spurs but causing much pain, they need to do operation to treat their condition.

Ask your doctor about the cause of back pain

Dr Kew Sai Chong said that the treatment method for back pain depends on many factors which include: patient's age, the types of pain, duration, type, cause, and the the type of work he/she does, etc. There are also a small number of patients with back pain caused by having any other co-morbid disease and many other factors.

He state that you can consult a specialist to know the cause of low back pain and back pain. X-ray and MRI are generally required to see/investigate the actual cause of the back pain.

In terms of medicine treatment, patients with low back pain and back pain can take painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain, with physical therapy and maintain correct posture to gradually improve the problem. Patient must take medicine follow Doctors instructions and stop having a wrong understanding on anti-inflammatory drugs and stop taking painkiller prescribed by Doctor, which leads to obstacles in the treatment process.

Percutaneous Disc Nucleoplasty

Low back pain surgery plan depends on the patient's condition

Dr Kew Sai Chong said that as u can see treatment of the back pain is not one method fits all. Each patient management has to be tailor made.

As he mentioned, one of the approach to treat back pain is Percutaneous Surgery, this is a good method for mild to moderate back pain cases but moderate and generally not effective for severe cases of compression or disc prolapsed.

The next approach will be Endoscopic Spine Surgery, it reduces post op pain, less muscle injury, lesser blood loss and tissue damage. It is also more effective way to treat moderate to severe back pain.

Dr Kew Said open surgery and instrumentation stabilisation of the spine would be the best choice for patient has weakness of the leg with multiple level of spinal involvements and instability of the spine.

In any case, he emphasized Whatever method or surgical technique used, it must be weighed between the benefits and complications of the treatment. If the pain is not that severe so simpler surgical approach is more appropriate. This helps to reduce the pain and side effect patients face after surgery.

This article was contributed by Dr. Kew Sai Chong, Resident Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Pantai Hospital Ipoh. To know more about where and when to see Dr. Kew Sai Chong at his clinic, click here.