Chronic Lower Back Pain

Chronic lower back pain is one of the most common types of pain suffered by adults. About 80% of adults suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives, making it a leading cause of missed work days. Pain can range in intensity, from a dull ache to a sharp stabbing pain in the lower back. Lower back pain can develop suddenly due to an accident or strain, or it can develop over time due to degeneration from age. Patients who lead sedentary lifestyles can be more susceptible to lower back pain.

Most of the time, lower back pain is short-term, resolving itself within a few weeks. Chronic lower back pain, in comparison, is defined as pain that lasts more than twelve weeks, even after the injury or other underlying cause has been treated. Roughly 20% of patients suffering from acute back pain develop chronic lower back pain. In some cases, medical treatment may help alleviate the symptoms of chronic lower back pain.

One method of treatment for chronic lower back pain is Interventional Spine Treatment. This form of treatment encompasses several different methods, such as ultrasound guided injections. Ultrasound guided injections target the parts of the spine where the inflamed nerves are located, delivering relief directly to the source of the pain. Facet injections are another type of Interventional Spine Treatment that focuses on relieving pain in the back. At Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our expert physicians are trained in the management of chronic low back pain, reducing pain and allowing patients to return to their active lifestyles.