Lower Back Pain

 

Lower back pain can significantly affect your daily activities and overall quality of life. When left untreated, discomfort in the lower spine may persist for months or even years, leading to chronic pain and limited mobility. That’s why early and accurate diagnosis is essential to guide effective lower back pain treatment and support your long-term recovery.

You Are Not Alone: Lower Back Pain is Common

Back pain is one of the most commonly reported medical problems. At any given time, 7.5% of the global population experiences back pain, and up to 80% of adults will experience this discomfort at some point in their lives. Anyone who has experienced this condition can probably attest to how It has become the leading cause of job-related disability.

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

Fortunately, most of the causes of back pain are relatively benign. Listed below are some of the most common causes:

• Muscle strains, sprains and spasms. These may be related to carrying of heavy loads
• Poor posture. Poor ergonomics for prolonged periods can exacerbate pain.
• Arthritis of the spine (Lumbar Spondylosis). Age-related changes can cause degeneration of discs, tears or bone spur formation.

Serious Conditions to Exclude

Whilst most causes of lower back pain are self-limiting, several sinister causes which can impact your future function have to be excluded. These include:

• Degenerative lumbar spinal conditions impairing nerve function
• Fractures
• Tumors
• Infections

Please seek immediate medical attention if pain is associated with:

• Unremitting pain following trauma that does not improve with painkillers
• Shooting pain down the legs associated with weakness or numbness
• Difficulty in controlling bladder or bowel movements
• Unexplained loss of appetite and weight loss

Diagnosis of Lower Back Pain

Accurate diagnosis of the source of back pain is critical. It is essential to rule out function and life-threatening causes. It also facilitates the implementation of appropriate treatment strategies to solve your discomfort.

Dr Mark Tan BH will conduct the following:

• Thorough clinical and medical history
• Complete physical examination including the testing of individual nerves

Depending on the results of the interview and physical examination, Dr Mark Tan BH may require further tests to determine the cause of your pain such as:

• X-rays (Radiographs)
• CT Scans
• MRI Scans
• Nerve Conduction Studies

Non-Surgical Lower Back Pain Treatment

Non-surgical treatment is typically the first-line in our treatment plan for patients with isolated lower back pain. This includes medications such as oral painkillers and referrals to a Physiotherapist to alleviate your pain.

On occasion, injections to the nerve roots or facet joints and radiofrequency ablation techniques may be utilized to facilitate physiotherapy and expedite early return to function.

Surgical Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Surgical treatment is rarely the first choice for isolated back pain unless the condition has also affected nerve function. This form of treatment is usually only employed when back pain persists and affects function, and when it does not respond to conservative management.

Some of the diagnoses that may require surgical intervention include:

• Prolapsed (Slipped) discs
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Scoliosis and Deformity
• Previously mentioned sinister causes of back pain

Dr Mark Tan BH will recommend the most appropriate surgical approach tailored to your specific diagnosis.

When to Seek Help for Lower Back Pain

Effective lower back pain treatment, whether through conservative methods or surgery, begins with a clear, personalised diagnosis. Early evaluation can help prevent symptoms from getting worse.

If your pain continues, Dr Mark Tan BH offers personalised care in Singapore to guide your recovery.