The most common cause of back pain in the absence of trauma (eg. like a fall or an injury) is disc degeneration. However other causes such as infection, tumour and inflammation though rare should not be ruled out by your doctor as a cause of having back pain. Discs are present in the spine as a cushioning structure between the vertebral bodies (bones). These discs undergo degeneration or wear as a result of time. No particular person is prone to it though it has been found to run in families. Proper posture, exercise and weight control help control degeneration

»  What does a patient of disc pain complain of?

Unlike a slipped disc which causes leg pain, a person with disc degeneration complains essentially of pure back pain. This pain can be in the lower back (lumbar region) midback (thoracic region) or neck area (cervical region). Very minimal if at all leg pain can co exist with this pain. Typically patients have pain on bending forward ,on sitting ,on changing posture and lasts for a couple of days only to go away and then comes back after a while causing chronic(frequent) back pain

»  How back pain can be diagnosed?

Usually the diagnosis can be clinical (by the doctor) and X rays are usually normal. An MRI can be used to confirm the diagnosis if need be.

»  What age group is affected by back pain?

It starts from age 20 and can go on till age 50. Usually these symptoms decrease with time

»  What are the treatment options?

Usually non-surgical treatment is preferred and involves anti-inflammatories, a belt and exercises. Massage and Hot water bags can be used in conjunction for temporary relief. Specific exercises are important in this case. It is important to exercise your back exercise when not in pain so that you do not get pain. This pain usually gets better with time

»  Can surgery cure this condition?

Yes surgery can be helpful in selected cases as determined by your doctor, however only after a fair non surgical trial as mentioned above. Surgery consists of fusion in which the disc is removed and with the help of implants the two vertebrae are brought together, thus elimination the cause of pain (the disc).newer modalities of treatment include disc replacement for this condition—however the long term results are yet to be studied with this.