Problem in muscles, nerves, bones, joints, or a herniated disc within the spine usually causes back pain. It can occur suddenly or gradually, and it can be continuous or intermittent. It spreads from one place to another (usually towards the arm and hand, the thigh or leg). The quality of the pain varies as it may be sharp, dull, or like a burning sensation. Other symptoms may be associated with the pain, such as muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling.
Dr Hamed al Hinai, a surgeon at Orthopedics Department, Nizwa Hospital, said, “The daily orthopaedic clinic is hardly devoid of dozens of patients complaining of back problems and pain. Back pain is considered one of the common diseases in society. About 70 per cent to 85 per cent of the population develop low back pain at some point in their lives. Generally, it recovers in some weeks. Back pain occurs equally in males and females mostly in the age group of 35 to 50, and is common as one gets older”.
The doctor said that among the factors of back pain is weight. “Excess weight strains the back and causes pain. Also, lifting, pushing or pulling while bending the spine cause back pain,” noting that pain appears as a constant dull then turns to a sudden sharp that makes it difficult to move. “It can start quickly if you drop or lift something very heavy, or it can slowly get worse over time,” he added.
About the causes, Al Hinai indicated that causes of back pain vary, saying “it could be caused by muscle strain around the shaft (muscular strain), herniated disc, sliding vertebrae, toughness of the joints of the vertebrae, nerve canal stenosis, a fracture, bacterial infection, tumours, diseases of fragility, rheumatism and blood, internal diseases or even psychological diseases”.
He recommended regular exercise, keeping back muscles strong, maintaining a healthy weight, and developing habits to stand straight and avoid lifting heavy objects. If you have to lift any heavy thing, bend your legs and keep your back straight.
However, the patient should see a doctor if he notices numbness or tingling, severe pain that does not get better with rest, pain after a fall, difficulty urinating, weakness and numbness in legs, fever, or weight loss.
Dr Hamed al Hinai mentioned that there is a difference between acute and chronic pain. “Acute pain begins quickly and lasts less than six weeks. It is the most common type of back pain. It may be caused by things such as falling or lifting something heavy. While chronic pain lasts more than three months and is less common than acute pain,” he explained.
As for the treatment, it is non-surgical in most cases, including physiotherapy, medicines, change in lifestyle, or using back needle. Besides, there is surgical treatment (if conservative treatment fails or there are signs of danger). According to the doctor, surgery is done in chronic cases in which conservative treatment has failed, if there is weakness in the muscle and severe pressure on the nerve. Surgery is done also in unstable fractures, bacterial infections, or tumours.
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