Spine -- The lower or lumbar spine is a complex structure that connects your upper body (including your chest and arms) to your lower body (including your pelvis and legs). This important part of your spine provides you with both mobility and strength. The mobility allows movements such as turning, twisting or bending; and the strength allows you to stand, walk and lift. Proper functioning of your lower back is needed for almost all activities of daily living. Pain in the lower back can restrict your activity, reduce your work capacity and diminish your quality of life.
Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors:
Protruding Disk
Age
Osteoporosis and Fractures
Low Back Sprain and Strain
The muscles of the low back provide power and strength for activities such as standing, walking and lifting. A strain of the muscle can occur when the muscle is poorly conditioned or overworked. The ligaments of the low back act to interconnect the five vertebral bones and provide support or stability for the low back.
Back pain caused by lifting can be prevented if you use proper lifting techniques and exercise regularly to improve your muscle strength and overall physical condition. The normal effects of aging that result in decreased bone mass, and decreased strength and elasticity of muscles and ligaments, can't be avoided.
However, the effects can be slowed by:
exercising regularly to keep muscles that support your back strong and flexible
using the correct lifting and moving techniques
maintaining your proper body weight; being overweight puts a strain on your back muscles
avoid smoking
maintaining a proper posture when standing and sitting; don't slouch
Scoliosis - Scoliosis is a problem with your backbone, or spine, causing it to bend sideways and twist. Scoliosis can occur in either the upper back (thoracic), lower back (lumbar), or very rarely, in the neck (cervical region). Idiopathic scoliosis (scoliosis of an unknown cause) is the most common type of scoliosis in the United States. Eighty percent of diagnosed cases are of the idiopathic type. Idiopathic scoliosis is usually noticed at the onset of puberty and is more often seen in females. People with scoliosis often have uneven shoulders or hips, and a shoulder blade which sticks out. Changes are especially noticeable when the person is bending over. Most scoliosis is found during school screening.
If the spinal curvature progresses despite the use of conservative measures such as bracing, the doctor might recommend surgery called a ‘posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation'. The purpose of this surgery is to halt progression of the curve and stabilize that portion of the spine. Doctors recommend surgery when the curve gets to a certain size, usually 45-50 degrees. If the curve is getting bigger and it's not treated, it can cause physical deformities and possibly lead to back, lung and heart problems in later years.
Deciding to have surgery is a big decision and can be very frightening for you and your family. If you have any further questions, please write them down so you will remember to ask your doctor.
