Back Pain

Orthopaedic Specialists

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine located in the greater Nashville, Tennessee Area

Estimates suggest that nearly 80% of American adults will experience low back pain at some time in their lives. An extremely common problem, back pain can range from mild to severe. If left untreated, chronic back pain can significantly lower your quality of life. Finding an effective treatment option to manage your chronic back pain is simple with Brandon Downs, MD, and his expert team at Orthopaedic Specialists. Call the Nashville, Dickson, Ashland City, Kingston Springs, Centerville and Gallatin, Tennessee, office or request an appointment online today.

Back Pain Q & A

What causes back pain?

Your back plays an important role in supporting your whole body. When you experience back pain, you know that it can impact your daily activities and your quality of life.

Sometimes, the muscles in your back get strained and that causes pain. Lifting heavy objects incorrectly, an abrupt awkward movement, or overuse during work or sports can all lead to a muscular strain.

In other cases, the structure of the spine can suffer damage, which causes pain. There are soft discs between each vertebrae that cushion bones, but they can slip out of place, bulge, or rupture. This can pinch nerves in the spine and cause pain in the back or legs.

Other causes of back pain that are more common in older people include arthritis and osteoporosis. Arthritis causes inflammation and joint damage, while osteoporosis is the weakening of bones that can make fractures more likely.

What are the symptoms of back pain?

Back pain takes many forms. Some people experience a dull, aching pain in their lower back. For others, back pain can feel like sharp or stabbing pain that radiates down the legs.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical care for your back pain:

Inability to stand up straight
Decreased range of motion
Tingling or numbness in your legs
Weakness in your back or legs
Loss of bowel or bladder control following a back injury

Back pain that interferes with your daily life could be a sign of a medical condition that requires professional care. In general, back pain is considered a chronic condition if pain lasts longer than three months.

How can I find relief from chronic back pain?

Back pain can have a number of causes. At Orthopaedic Specialists, you find comprehensive care from diagnosis to treatment and pain management. The team begins with a full exam that may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the cause of your pain.

Mild back pain can be managed with oral pain relievers that target inflammation, like ibuprofen and naproxen, as well as topical medications. Be sure to follow dosage guidelines for all medications to prevent negative side effects.

Orthopaedic Specialists offers physical therapy for back pain, which can help improve range of motion and make daily tasks easier. For ongoing back pain, trigger point injections or nerve blocks can be beneficial for pain management as well.

Get back to enjoying life with effective treatment for your chronic back pain. Call Orthopaedic Specialists today or request your appointment online.

Q & A