Back pain remains one of the most common causes of disability worldwide. At Lukner Medical Clinic, located in the Pampa Mall in Pampa, Texas, Ralf Lukner, MD, PhD, strives to provide more than simple symptom relief. Instead, he focuses on uncovering the cause of your pain to provide lasting relief without addictive medications. Call the office today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
The back extends from the base of the neck through the top of the buttocks. With 33 vertebrae, multiple muscles, and a wide range of tissues, the back is a complex structure vulnerable to pain and injury.
Common causes of back pain include:
Osteoarthritis occurs when the soft, flexible cartilage that protects the ends of your joints breaks down. Without this cushion, connecting bones rub together, leading to pain and inflammation.
Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common type after osteoarthritis, is an autoimmune disease. It causes the synovial lining inside your joints to swell and cause pain.
Straining the muscles and tissues in your back can lead to pain, soreness, and even ligament sprains that cause long-lasting discomfort.
The discs in your back include a hard shell with a soft center. When the shell deteriorates, the center can push through and irritate surrounding nerves.
Spinal stenosis causes the spinal canal to gradually narrow and apply pressure to the nerves in the spinal cord.
Spinal fractures cause breaks in the vertebrae that can cause significant back pain. Early intervention is essential to stop a spinal fracture from progressing.
There is no singular test for diagnosing back pain. A complete physical exam and medical history review are essential to determine the necessary tests. Once Dr. Lukner gathers this information, he may order bloodwork and imaging scans, such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Performing multiple tests allows Dr. Lukner to uncover the root cause of your pain, so he can customize your treatment and minimize your use of potentially addictive medications.
Dr. Lukner strives to reduce your reliance on potentially addictive pain medications, like opioids and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. His goal is to treat the root cause of your pain through a combination of the following treatments:
Corticosteroid injections, epidurals, and other nonsurgical techniques can also help relieve back pain.
Call Lukner Medical Clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about back pain.