To be clear, lower back pain affects more than 619 million people worldwide as indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO) making it one of the major causes of disability by the institution. There are close to 60 percent of adults in India that have complained of having back pain, either occasional or chronic. However, here is the thing- not every back pain is equal. There are acute backaches that come and go, and there are those that flash the red light of something more concerning about your back.

So when do you call it quits and when do you call in the orthopaedic professionals? So, here is what is behind this spine triggering mystery.

Typical causes of Back Pain: It is Not Only Bad Posture

A variety of factors may cause back pain:

• Strain of muscles or ligament sprain
• Slipped or herniated disk
• Nerve compression such as sciatica
• Aging (spondylosis)
• Narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis )
• Osteoporosis-related fractures
• Spinal Arthritis
• Rare but serious infection or tumors in the spine

Although most of them respond well to rest, medication, and physical therapy, there are those conditions that cut corners in terms of delaying an action that necessitate a treatment by an orthopaedic or spine doctor to avoid irreversible damage.

Back Pain vs. Spine Problem: Where To See the Difference

So when do you know that backache requires perseverance and when it is without a doubt to be examined?

The following is a helpful list of warning signs that yell: It is time to visit the ortho doc!

When You Ought to Find an Orthopaedic Specialist

1. Persistent Pain More Than a Few Weeks

In case your backache hangs on the 3+ weeks, it is time to probe. Persistent pain might be the indication of spine problems such as disc degeneration or nerve compaction.

2. Radiating pain down the legs

A pinched nerve or a herniated disc is a frequent cause of shooting pain down the thighs or calves (aka sciatica). You can prevent complications because of the early diagnosis.

3. Tingling or Weakness or Numbness

When you experience some pins and needles in your legs or a diminished strength in your muscles, it may be an indication that the nerves are involved. A hot water bag can not help this.

4. Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control

This is an extreme situation but it is necessary. When the back pain is accompanied with incontinence or numbness of broomstick, this might be cauda equina syndrome; a medical emergency that needs urgent surgical management.

5. Nociception When there is a Fall or Accident

Traumatic back pain may indicate a crack or the impairment of the spine. Make sure a visit to the orthopaedic expert does not exclude possible structural damage at all times.

6. Visible Deformity or Curvature

Do you have a lump, spur or slant in your back? What you may be dealing with is scoliosis, kyphosis, or other forms of spinal deformity which require some form of medical treatment.

7. Weight Loss

Systemic signs and symptoms of the back pain such as weight loss, fatigue, or fever--there is a possibility of something missing that consists of musculoskeletal. Imagine: infections or tumors. Have it looked into.

What to Expect, The Orthopaedic Advantage

When you seek the advice of an orthopaedic specialist over your back or spine problems, diagnosis can be thorough and cover:

• History and physical DTP
• Imaging (x-ray, MRI, CT scan)
• Nerve conduction study when necessary
• To rule out infection, or inflammatory conditions by blood tests

Depending on the diagnosis, the physician can suggest:

• Drugs (analgesics, anti-inflammatory medicine)
• Physiotherapy and correction of postures
• Changes in the lifestyle (ergonomic changes, weight loss)
• Nerve blocks or Spinal injections

In certain situations, spine surgery that employs less intrusive procedures or use of a robot may be done. And keep in mind: Surgery is never the first treatment- last resort treatment would be given when other conservative methods fail or when the condition of the spine is very serious.

At Sir Ganga Ram Hospital: Accuracy Scientific plus Compassion

One of the centers of excellence of managing complex back and spine disorders is the department of orthopaedics and spine surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. With the latest technology such as MRI-guided diagnosis, robot-assisted surgery systems and 3D navigation systems, the hospital equips each patient with his or her share of world-class expertise when it comes to back pain. The orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, pain specialists and rehabilitation specialists forming part of the team work holistically-not only to treat the symptoms but to enable full restoration of function and quality of life.

Back to Basics: Prevention is the Victor

Treatment is progressing but prevention plays the game. These are easy spine-friendly behaviors that you can develop into a part of your day-to-day life habits:

• Sit tolerating your back and without tension of the shoulders
• Have breaks at your desk every 30 minutes
• Do exercise that is core-strength programs on a regular basis
• Make sure never to lift heavy stuff in the wrong manner
• Sleep on medium-firm apnea Mattress
• Maintain an appropriate weight
• Drink lots of water Your discs should have water as well!

Final Word

Your back is not a group of bones and muscles only. It is your support system, your mobility engine and a huge chunk of your general health. In case the pains continue, it will not be sufficient to merely wait and watch or be on pain medications. There are moments that your body speaks in low tones; there are times when it screams. Whichever the case, early listening may help you out of a long-term misery. And in case you ever doubted whether it is simply backaches or something serious is going on internally, remove the guess factor--ask an orthopaedic professional to make the call. Anyway, a healthy spine is a happy life. Stand tall. Walk free. Don t allow back ache to put a crimp in your walk.