Most prevalent globally and is a leading cause of disability. Requires thorough assessment and stepwise treatment approach unless red flags are present.
According to the World Health Organization, low back pain affected approximately 619 million people worldwide in 2020, making it the leading cause of disability globally. Projections estimate this number will rise to 843 million cases by 2050 due to population aging and growth. Current evidence confirms that chronic back pain is highly prevalent and increasing worldwide, contributing significantly to long-term disability, healthcare costs, and reduced work productivity.
The causes are often multifactorial, with around two-thirds of cases attributed to non-specific mechanical pain, which typically does not warrant definitive spinal surgery after careful risk–benefit assessment.
Management remains stepwise including medications, physiotherapy, and pain interventions, alongside careful monitoring for red flag signs and symptoms for cauda equina compression. Surgical intervention is reserved for patients with severe or progressive neurological deficits, significant functional impairment, or failure of conservative treatment.
I offer following interventions tailored to individual need and requirement that can be complimentary to other treatment modalities, aiming towards reducing pain and improvement in quality of life-
- Medial branch block/ Facet joint injection (NICE NG 59)
- Dorsal Root block
- Epidurals (Caudal, Transforaminal)
- Radio frequency Denervation/ablation
Within advance neurostimulation procedures (NICE TAG 159)
- Spinal Cord stimulator for the refractory pains
- Dorsal Root ganglion stimulator
- Multifidus stimulator
You can request your GP to arrange a named consultant referral to the Barts neuromodulation service to access these advanced treatment options if they are not available in your area.