Running through the center of the spine is the spinal cord, a network of nerve fibers that extend from the base of the brain to the lower back. Low back pain is a common problem. It affects four out of five adults at some point in their lives. Low back pain is the most common reason for sick days in those under 45 and one of the most common reasons for visits to orthopedic surgeons. A common cause of back pain is deterioration of the covering of the spinal disc.
Initial treatment is rest, medications, and physical therapy.
When pain is severe or chronic and conservative measures don t help, a patient may be referred for surgery. In spinal fusion, surgeons remove the diseased disc. As the donor bone segment heals, it fuses the two discs, hopefully supporting the spine and eliminating pain. Using X-rays for guidance, the physician inserts a needle into the diseased disc. An electrode-tipped wire is passed through the needle to the damaged area.