Discogenic low back pain

Discogenic low back pain is a complex, multi-factorial, clinical condition. It is characterised by low back pain, with or without the concurrence of radicular lower limb symptoms, in the presence of radiologically-confirmed degenerative disc disease.

Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging study of choice for degenerative disc disease due to its unique detail on the representation of the disc status. Other tests may include plain radiographs, computed tomography scanning, or provocative discography.

Non-surgical treatments include lifestyle measures, followed by the judicious use of medications, physiotherapy, and therapeutic needling procedures.

Surgical treatment includes decompression of neural structures and, in selected patients, a fusion of the motion segment.

A complex, multi-factorial, clinical condition characterised by low back pain with or without the concurrence of radicular lower limb symptoms in the presence of radiologically-confirmed degenerative disc disease. The pain is exacerbated by activity, but may be present in certain positions, such as sitting.

Progression of disc degeneration may lead to additional painful manifestations, including loss of disc height and facet joint arthrosis, disc herniation and nerve root irritation, and hypertrophic changes resulting in spinal stenosis.[1]Olmarker K, Rydevik B. Disc herniation and sciatica; the basic science platform. In: Gunzburg R, Szpalski M, eds. Lumbar Disc Herniation. Philadelphia: Lippincott. Williams & Wilkins; 2002:31-7.[2]Postacchini F, Gumina S, Cinotti G, et al. Ligamenta flava in lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis. Light and electron microscopic morphology. Spine. 1994 Apr 15;19(8):917-22. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8009349?tool=bestpractice.com