Back Pain

Back pain can arise due to several issues related to the spine and the muscles that support it. The spine is the main axial bone and structure that provides not only protection to the spinal cord and corresponding nerve roots but also structure, support, balance and flexibility to our body. Hence, any symptoms of back pain should not be ignored and a qualified orthopaedic doctor should be consulted. Our doctor can help you manage with effective pain relief methods.

Symptoms Of Back Pain

Causes

The majority of back pain is caused by mechanical problems such as wrong posture, degenerative conditions, slipped or herniated discs, back sprain and spondylosis. Sitting for long hours as well as lack of exercise and movement are also common causes of back pain.
One of the dangerous reasons for back pain could be a fracture resulting from an injury, fall, trauma or accident.
A tumour in the spine or nearby areas can also cause back pain.
Intervertebral disc space infections, spinal canal infections and cervical spine infections can cause severe back pain accompanied by fever, chills, weight loss and muscle spasms.

Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis by a specialist for back pain is essential to start the right treatment method and prevent future problems. A spine specialist can perform a physical examination to evaluate back pain, tenderness and any muscular or nerve pain. The doctor will ask about all relevant symptoms. Moreover, the back pain treatment specialist may conduct diagnostic tests to determine the cause of neck pain and recommend treatment accordingly. These tests may include an X-ray, MRI, CT Scan, Myelogram and an EMG (electromyogram and nerve conduction) test.

Back Pain Treatment In Singapore

Several factors and conditions causes lower back pain. Therefore, the first step that your doctor will carry out is to conduct a thorough examination and tests that might include various imaging tests. Once the condition has been diagnosed, your doctor may prescribe medications, physiotherapy, or, in some cases, surgery for your problem.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) is uses endoscopic technology that allows the surgeon to treat back and leg pain issues effectively through a minimally invasive surgical procedure. An HD camera is attached to a small endoscope inserted through a small incision in the skin and guided towards the spine. This camera allows the surgeon to access and visualise the condition and treat it through a minimally invasive procedure compared to an open surgery technique

FAQs on Back Pain

What complications can arise if back pain or spine injuries are left untreated?

Although some instances of back pain may be mild and may resolve with conservative treatment, some problems associated with back pain and spinal injuries can snowball into something huge and dangerous if left untreated. These complications can include:

Changes in bladder control, urinary tract infections, kidney stones and bladder stones.
Deep vein thrombosis.
Changes in bowel control.
Muscle atrophy, weakness and visible loss of muscle.
Numbness and loss of sensations in the arms or legs that may contribute towards pressure injuries.
Abnormal circulatory control may cause swelling in hands and feet, low blood pressure and blood clotting.
Respiratory complications include an increased risk of pneumonia, lung problems and difficulty breathing.
Increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Numbness in the groin that may lead to an impacted sexual health.
Increased risk of depression and other mental health issues.
Muscle tone issues.

What can I expect on my visit to a back pain clinic?

When you visit Dr. Gamaliel Tan for back pain, he will ask you questions about your pain and other symptoms. He will perform a thorough physical exam to check your spine and posture for abnormalities. He may also ask you to bend your back or lift your legs to see if changing positions affects your pain. He may test your muscle strength, reflexes and sensation to further determine the extent of the problem. He will also inquire about any of your previous imaging tests, any medications or regimens you are on, and any relevant history. Dr. Tan may then order some imaging tests that can help diagnose your condition, after which he will plan an orthopaedic treatment for back pain that may include conservative or surgical options.

What tests will be conducted for my back pain?

To diagnose issues effectively, an orthopaedic specialist may carry out the following tests:

Medical History and Physical Exam

The doctor will ask many different medical questions related to your symptoms and duration to determine the cause of your back pain. They will also perform a physical exam and may ask you to walk on your heels or toes or bend your legs and knees while lying flat on your back. He may carry out other physical tests to determine the source of the pain.

Blood Tests

The doctor may order blood tests that can help identify certain cause of lower back pain, including inflammatory conditions.

Imaging Tests

For some patients, the doctor may need additional imaging tests to diagnose the source of back pain. These tests include:

X-rays: X-rays are used to see your body's bones. Therefore, if the doctor suspects problems related to the bones, such as fractures, degeneration due to old age, or changes in the spine's alignment, he will order an X-ray.
MRIs: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a sophisticated test that uses a strong magnet to create a series of images to produce an image of the spine. MRIs are used to visualise soft tissues such as discs, ligaments, tendons, and nerve roots around the spine for diagnosing back pain.
CT Scans: A CT scan or CAT scan uses a scanner to produce images of the back from different angles to create a three-dimensional view of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues.

Nerve Tests

If the doctor suspects nerve root damage, he may order an electromyogram or EMG test in which tiny needles are placed into the muscles and electrical activity is monitored. The results allow the doctor to determine the extent of nerve damage and whether the pain is associated with a muscle or nerve root disease.

Is endoscopic spine surgery safe?

Endoscopic spine surgery is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat conditions like disc herniations, spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis and other issues affecting the lumbar, cervical and thoracic regions of the spine. While generally safe, it carries some risks, including bleeding, infection and nerve damage, as with any surgery.

How do I know if I need endoscopic spine surgery to manage my back pain?

If you suffer from pain, numbness or other neurological problems associated with a spine condition, you may be a candidate for endoscopic spine surgery. This surgery is also effective in repairing a spine deformity, increasing spine stability, decompressing nerve roots and treating disc herniations. However, some conditions, such as infections or malignancies, may be too advanced to be treated by endoscopic surgery. In such cases, a standard open spine surgery will be required.

Endoscopic spine surgery is commonly used to treat herniated discs, degenerative disc diseases, spinal stenosis and other spine conditions. The most common endoscopic spine surgeries include Microdiscectomy and Deuk Laser Disk Repair.

Our Specialist

About Gamaliel Tan

MBBS (S'pore), MMED (S'pore), FAMS (Ortho), FRCS (Edin)

Dr Gamaliel Tan is a spine surgeon in Singapore with over 25 years of experience in designing and providing effective solutions for different orthopaedic problems. He specialises in spine surgery and has experience in endoscopic spine surgery and motion preservation spine procedures (artificial disc replacements).