Specialised treatment for back pain
Back pain or backache may originate from an injury to the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.
Back pain is one of the most common problems experienced by a majority of individuals, at some point of their lives. Some of the common terms for back pain include lumbago, back sprain or strain, slipped disc, sciatica and pinched nerve.
back pain frequently asked questions
What are the signs and symptoms of back pain?
Back pain can be acute lasting from a few days to a few weeks, or chronic lasting for more than three months. Back pain may either be localised to the back or may radiate to other areas such as the arm and /or legs. Cervical radiculopathy refers to the pain that originates in the neck and radiates to the arms.
Back pain can either be a dull constant pain or a sudden sharp pain. Apart from pain you may also experience weakness, numbness or tingling sensation in your arms or legs caused by an injury to the spinal cord.
What are the causes of back pain?
The most common cause of back pain is strained or sprained muscles and ligaments. Other causes include poor posture and body mechanics, injury or trauma to the back, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal tumours and infection of the spinal joints.
How is Back pain diagnosed?
The diagnosis for back pain comprises of medical history, physical examination, and neurological examination. Your doctor will test your sensations, reflexes, and the strength of the muscles. Other imaging tests such as an X-ray, CT or MRI scan may be ordered to determine the cause of your back pain. A MRI scan may be used to determine if any spinal nerves are being compressed.
What are the treatment options for Back pain?
Most of the time back pain can be resolved without surgery. Conservative treatment involves activity modifications, anti-inflammatory and pain medications, muscle relaxants, spinal injections, physical therapy and braces to support the spine.
Your doctor may recommend combining two or more therapies, in order to maximise your chances of successful treatment.
Surgery may be considered in patients with spine instability or neurological dysfunction and if pain is persistent and does not respond to conservative treatment.
Spine treatments
Artificial Disc Replacement
Artificial disc replacement is a surgical method of replacing the diseased or damaged intervertebral discs of the spinal column with an artificial disc to restore motion to the spine. It can be considered as an alternative to spinal fusion for
Spinal Fusion Surgery
Spinal surgery may be considered only after conservative therapy fails to adequately relieve the symptoms over a substantial period of time. Spinal fusion is the surgical technique of combining two or more vertebrae. Fusion of the vertebrae involves insertion of
Why Orthopaedics SA?
Comprehensive care
From arthritis to sports injuries, we treat a full spectrum of bone and joint conditions to keep you moving.
Expert surgeons
Our highly trained doctors have years of experience delivering precise and effective treatments.
SA’s largest practice
With 23 specialists, we offer unmatched expertise and evidence-based care for every patient.
Multiple locations
We have multiple clinics across South Australia, making it simple to find expert care nearby.
Patient-centric approach
We prioritise understanding your condition to ensure every treatment recommendation feels right for you.
Reliable support
Our team of nurses and administrative staff works behind the scenes to make your experience smooth and stress-free.
Meet our doctors
Our surgeons are highly qualified to offer personalised treatments tailored to your needs. We take the time to listen, explain your options, and ensure every decision is made with your well-being in mind.
There are no doctors for this condition.
We take responsibility for our patient’s experience
From your initial consultation to follow-up care, our team will guide you through every step of your treatment. Your specialist will provide a detailed recovery plan, including physical therapy to restore function and prevent future injuries.