Back Pain Care | Oregon Orthopedics

What causes back pain?

Your spine is made up of 24 separate bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of one another with your tailbone (sacrum and coccyx) at the bottom. Rubbery discs act as cushions between each vertebra and ligaments, muscles, and nerves surround your spine and allow you to move in various directions.

Damage to any one of these structures can lead to back pain. The providers at Southern Oregon Orthopedics evaluate and treat a broad range of conditions that cause back pain, including:

Muscle or ligament strains or sprains

Fractures

Bulging or ruptured discs

Arthritis of the spine

Spinal stenosis

Degenerative disc disease

Spondylolisthesis

Skeletal deformities like scoliosis

Pinched nerves (radiculopathy), including sciatica

Vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis

Muscle and ligament injuries are the most common causes of acute back pain, which lasts for 12 weeks or less. Back pain that persists for more than 12 weeks is considered chronic.

When should I see an orthopedic surgeon for back pain?

Most cases of back pain improve on their own with simple home treatments like heat, ice, and over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen. If your back pain worsens or doesn’t go away after attempts at-home treatment, Southern Oregon Orthopedics can help.

You should seek medical attention right away if your back pain begins immediately after an injury, such as a car accident or a bad fall.

How is back pain diagnosed and treated?

First, your physician carefully evaluates your condition and reviews your medical history. They ask you to describe your back pain, including when it started and what makes it better or worse. They may also order diagnostic tests, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

After your physician diagnoses the cause of your back pain, they discuss your best options for treatment. Southern Oregon Orthopedics may suggest nonsurgical treatments for back pain, including:

Physical therapy

Acupuncture

Chiropractic treatments

Oral or injected medications

Orthotic devices, such as a back brace

If you continue to experience back pain despite treatment, surgery may be necessary. Southern Oregon Orthopedics offers options for minimally invasive spine surgeries, including fusion and decompression.

To find relief from back pain, call Southern Oregon Orthopedics or request an appointment online today.