Acute Back Pain or Injury in American Patients

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Introduction

Back pain is a common occurrence among individuals, although it is quite rare in children. Back pain can be sharp or mild and may affect any part of the body. However, according to Foster et al. (2018), acute back pain normally affects the lower back. Research shows that back pain is common among U.S. citizens, being the second most common reason for doctor’s visits after colds and flu.

Manifestations of Acute Back Pain

Most people have experienced acute back pain at some point in their lives. While many people may have ignored the condition, it results in decreased movement and may necessitate medical intervention if self-care practices fail. According to Foster et al. (2018), the symptoms may persist for a few days but would rarely go beyond a few weeks. The effective management of acute back pain depends on a person’s flexibility and a few risk factors. In most cases, patients see the doctor after attempting to treat the symptoms at home. It is crucial to understand that the treatment options also vary depending on the degree of injury and the available resources.

Causes of Acute Back Pain

Although acute back pain may be caused by different factors, most of them are mechanical in nature. Very few cases involve natural causes of back pain. This implies that an agent is involved in altering the location and performance of the components that make up the lower back. These components include the spine, nerves, muscles, and intervertebral discs (Foster et al., 2018). Since each cause may result in different levels of damage, it is crucial to comprehend the elements and risk factors associated with these causes. Further, understanding each cause may lead to better prevention methods, thereby reducing the chances of back injury.

Injuries and Congenital factors

Back discomfort is caused by skeletal irregularities such as scoliosis (a curvature of the spine), lordosis (an unnaturally exaggerated arch in the lower back), kyphosis (an excessive outward arch of the spine), and other congenital deformities of the spine. Furthermore, Spina bifida is a condition characterized by the inadequate development of the spinal cord and/or its protective covering, which can result in complications such as vertebral deformity, aberrant sensations, and even paralysis. Sprains (stretched to the limit or ligament damage), strains (damages in tendons or muscles), and spasms (unexpected contraction of a muscle), are all common injuries. According to Hartvigsen et al. (2018), injuries cause back pain by injuring tendons, ligaments, or muscles, as well as compressing the spine and forcing discs to burst or herniate.

Degenerative Problems and Nerve and Spinal Cord Issues

Intervertebral disc deterioration occurs when the normally springy discs wear out and eventually lose their cushioning properties as a result of normal aging. Spondylosis is a broad term for the degeneration of the spine caused by regular wear and tear in the joints, bones, and discs of the spine as people age. Degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and spondylitis are examples of degenerative diseases( Foster et al., 2018). When a vertebra in the lower spine moves out of place, squeezing the nerves exiting the spinal column, spondylolisthesis occurs. In addition, non-spinal issues such as endometriosis and fibromyalgia can induce lower back discomfort.

Risk Factors

Risk factors describe the conditions and elements that may increase the probability of suffering from acute back pain. Out of the conditions listed above, 90% can be controlled by an individual (Foster et al., 2018). The only conditions out of the control of a patient are their age and genetics, which are determined by their parental genes. As a person grows older, they may have difficulties engaging in vigorous exercises. Again, walking may become difficult. Research shows that when people are inactive for many hours, they may suffer from back pain. In addition, these factors are interrelated. For instance, the fitness level affects a person’s mood and impacts their mental health (Foster et al., 2018).

Acute Back Pain Diagnosis

A full medical history and physical exam will typically detect any significant illnesses that may be causing the discomfort. Neurologic studies can assist in pinpointing the origin of pain and appropriate treatment. Imaging tests are not needed in most situations but may be requested to rule out certain causes of pain, including malignancies and spinal stenosis (Foster et al., 2018). Occasionally the source of acute/ lower back pain is hard to detect even after a comprehensive examination. A doctor can diagnose acute back pain in many cases by physical examination. Sometimes, the patient may be suffering from other illnesses that necessitate bone scans and blood tests. The essence of past medical history is to prevent misdiagnosis and facilitate quick treatment.

Prevention of Acute Back Pain

The above prevention strategies are based on the identified risk factors. Therefore, individuals should assess themselves to discover what contributes to back pain and then mitigate it through the relevant methods. By controlling one of these factors, a person may find that their overall health increases in addition to reducing the occurrence of back pains. Although they are short-term, back pains can significantly reduce a person’s productivity and lead to huge losses in terms of medication costs(Hartvigsen et al., 2018). Many doctors will often advise a patient to practice daily self-care through moderate exercises to strengthen their back muscles.

Acute Back Pain Treatment

In many cases, back pain can be fully treated by prescribed medications taken for a few days or weeks. The treatment should be combined with daily exercises. For acute back pain, exercises, bed rest, and surgical procedures are usually not recommended (Urits et al., 2019). The most common treatment for chronic back pain is a tiered care approach, which progresses from simple, low-cost treatments to more aggressive techniques. The type of treatment you receive will likely be determined by the reason for your back discomfort.

Conclusion

Most people have experienced acute back pain at some point in their lives. Although acute back pain may be caused by different factors, most of them are mechanical in nature, with very few cases involving natural causes. It manifests itself in the form of pain in the lower back, discomfort, difficulty maintaining an upright posture, and challenges when walking. A full medical history and physical exam will typically detect any significant illnesses that may be causing the discomfort.

References

Buchbinder, R., van Tulder, M., Öberg, B., Costa, L., Woolf, A., & Schoene, M. et al. (2018). Low back pain: a call for action. The Lancet, 391(10137), 2384- 2388.

Hartvigsen, J., Hancock, M., Kongsted, A., Louw, Q., Ferreira, M., & Genevay, S. et al. (2018). What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. The Lancet, 391(10137), 2356-2367.

Urits, I., Burshtein, A., Sharma, M., Testa, L., Gold, P., & Orhurhu, V. et al. (2019). Low Back Pain, a Comprehensive Review: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Current Pain And Headache Reports, 23(3).

Foster, N., Anema, J., Cherkin, D., Chou, R., Cohen, S., & Gross, D. et al. (2018). Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions. The Lancet, 391(10137), 2368-2383.

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