Decoding Disc Displacements: Key Insights from Research on Diagnosis and Symptom Severity

Disc displacements, often linked to back pain, can manifest as diffuse bulges or more localized herniations. Herniations are categorized into protrusions, which remain within the outer annular fibers, and extrusions, which break through the annulus fibrosus. Typically, extrusions are larger than protrusions (Fries et al., 1982). A study by Jensen et al. (1994) involving 98 asymptomatic volunteers and 27 back pain patients found that disc … Continue reading Decoding Disc Displacements: Key Insights from Research on Diagnosis and Symptom Severity

Are Lumbar Spine Imaging Findings Linked to Patients’ Symptoms?

Determining whether a specific lesion is responsible for a patient’s symptoms is crucial when selecting candidates for potential spinal surgery. However, there isn’t always a direct correlation between radicular pain and lumbar disc herniation. One can exist without the other, making diagnosis complex. Both mechanical compression and inflammatory factors contribute to the pathogenesis of sciatica. Additionally, non-radicular or pseudoradicular pain can originate from the hip, … Continue reading Are Lumbar Spine Imaging Findings Linked to Patients’ Symptoms?

In-field note: a patient appeared with an extraspinal source of referred leg discomfort

Introduction Low back pain is not a disease, it is a symptom. It can be defined as pain between the bottom ribs and the buttock creases(Dionne et al., 2008). Chronic low back pain patients are always asking about the cause of their pain(McPhillips-Tangum et al., 1998; Cherkin et al., 1998). A lot of people can experience it during their life. For instance, 6.3%–14.4% of people … Continue reading In-field note: a patient appeared with an extraspinal source of referred leg discomfort

Residual leg numbness after lumber decompression surgeries: A summary of research evidence.

Introduction: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is the most frequent lumbar degenerative illness that causes patients to have redundant pain (Ravindra et al., 2018). Lower back pain (LBP) and sciatica symptoms, such as leg pain (LP) and leg numbness (LN), are common in patients with LDH (Deyo et al., 2016). In addition, LN is a major factor influencing clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction following decompression surgery … Continue reading Residual leg numbness after lumber decompression surgeries: A summary of research evidence.

Low back pain in pregnancy

Back discomfort is a frequent, but not universal, symptom of pregnancy for many women. This blog compiles some of the evidence linked to prevalence and makes some management recommendations. Prevalence Back discomfort is reported by 47% to 80% of pregnant women at some stage during their pregnancy (Mantle et al. 1977; Gent D. and Hottlieb K. 1985; Berg et al. 1988; Ostgaard et al. 1991, … Continue reading Low back pain in pregnancy