April 14, 2022

In most cases, a specialist is able to make the diagnosis after physical examination and medical history, and imaging tests are done only to confirm the diagnosis and provide additional information.

Low back pain is a common problem, especially in developed countries. These pains can have several causes, so it is recommended to consult a specialist to determine the exact cause of the condition that leads to back pain.

After low back pain, it is advisable to go to the family doctor / general practitioner. He will perform a physical examination and discuss his symptoms and medical history with his patient, and then determine which doctor will refer the patient to.

The diagnosis for a disease presenting symptoms of low back pain can be made by a variety of specialists, including orthopedists, rheumatologists, neurologists, or even internists if there is suspicion that the pain may be related to an organ disease radiating to the lumbar area elsewhere (for example, kidney disease).

A complete medical history and physical examination can usually identify any serious condition that may be causing the pain. During the exam, the doctor will ask about the onset, location, and severity of the pain; duration of symptoms and any limitations in movement; history of previous episodes or any health conditions that may be related to pain.

Along with a detailed examination of the back, neurological tests are performed to determine the cause of the pain and the appropriate treatment. The cause of chronic lower back pain is often difficult to determine even after a thorough examination.

Imaging tests are not justified in most cases. Under certain circumstances, healthcare providers may recommend imaging to rule out specific causes of pain, including tumors and spinal stenosis.

 

CONTENT:

1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
2. Ultrasound imaging
3. Bone scans
4. Blood tests
5. Radiography
6. Discography
7. Computed tomography (CT)
8. Myelograms

 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

It uses a magnetic force instead of radiation to create a computer generated image. Unlike X-rays, which show only bone structures, MRI scans also produce images of soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels.

An MRI may be recommended if a problem such as infection, tumor, inflammation, herniated disc, rupture, or nerve compression is suspected. MRI is a non-invasive way to identify a condition that requires prompt surgical treatment. However, in most cases, an MRI scan is not required during the early stages of back pain.

 

Ultrasound imaging

They are also known as ultrasound scanning or sonography, which utilizes high-frequency sound waves to obtain images inside the body.  Sound wave echoes are recorded and displayed as real-time visual images. Ultrasound imaging can show tears in ligaments, muscles, tendons and other soft tissue masses in the back.

 

Bone scans

They are used for detecting and monitoring infections, fractures, or bone disorders. A small amount of radioactive material injected into the blood collects in the bones, especially in areas with an abnormality. The images generated by the scanner can identify certain areas of irregular bone metabolism or abnormal blood flow, as well as measure levels of joint disease.

 

Blood tests

These are not commonly used for diagnosing the cause of back pain. However, in some cases, healthcare providers may perform them to search for indications of inflammation, infection, or the presence of arthritis. Potential tests include erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein.

 

Radiography

It is often the first imaging technique used to look for broken bones or injured vertebrae. X-rays show bone structure and any vertebral misalignment or fractures. Soft tissues, such as muscles, ligaments, or clogged discs, are not visible in conventional X-rays.

 

Discography

It can be used when other diagnostic procedures fail to identify the cause of the pain. This procedure involves injecting a contrast dye into a spinal disc suspected to cause low back pain. Fluid pressure on the disc will reproduce the person’s symptoms if that disc is the cause.

The dye will show damaged areas on CT scans performed after injection. Discography can provide useful information in cases where people are considering lumbar surgery or where their pain has not responded to conventional treatments.

 

Computed tomography (CT)

It visualizes structures of the spine that an X-ray cannot capture, such as a ruptured disc, spinal stenosis, or tumors. Using a computer, CT scanning creates a three-dimensional image from a series of two-dimensional images.

 

Myelograms

They increase the diagnosis of X-ray and CT images. In this procedure, the doctor injects a contrast dye into the spinal canal to enable visualization of compression of the spinal cord and nerves, caused by herniated discs or fractures, on an X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan.

COVID-19 infection is proving to be much more than a respiratory illness. It can affect many organs, not just the lungs – from the skin and muscles to the eyes, heart and kidneys – creating long-term health problems. These include fatigue, blurred vision, difficulty breathing, muscle aches, confusion, headaches and even hallucinations.

Most people infected with the new coronavirus tend to have mild to moderate forms of the disease and heal within a few weeks. In contrast, people who survive COVID-19 infection after needing intubation and longer hospitalization may be left with a number of long-term side effects.

 

CONTENT:

1. Long-term effects of COVID-19 infection known to date
2. Long-term side effects – a feature of other viral infections

 

Long-term effects of COVID-19 infection known to date

Although there is still much to learn from people who have recovered from COVID-19, there are a number of long-term effects that doctors have seen so far.

Lung problems

We know that COVID-19 infection primarily attacks the lungs, causing inflammation. For this reason, survivors may experience long-term breathing difficulties. Some people recovering from COVID-19 may experience a dry cough or pain when breathing, and patients who have needed mechanical ventilation may have more severe symptoms.

Along with the lung pain, there is discomfort in the back area. You shouldn’t be surprised that once you get in touch with the virus, your back starts to hurt.

 

Neurological problems

Research shows that COVID-19 infection can affect the brain and central nervous system. Some people who have recovered have reported symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating or memory, and even hallucinations. Researchers say that these symptoms are more common in patients who have had severe forms of the disease.

 

Heart problems

A study by Frankford University in Germany showed abnormal heart rates in more than 75% of those studied who recovered from COVID-19. It was found that a considerable majority of patients in the study had inflammation of the heart and mucous membranes. This can be disturbing, as inflammation of the heart can lead to long-term heart disease.

As we are dealing with a relatively new disease, it is not yet known why certain patients experience one or more side effects after infection with the new coronavirus, how long these effects persist and whether COVID-19 infection will cause certain chronic diseases. , who will need lifelong monitoring.

 

Long-term side effects – a feature of other viral infections

Long-term symptoms of a severe viral illness are not new. Infections with other pathogens are associated with long-lasting symptoms, from heart problems to chronic fatigue. Even common illnesses, such as the flu and pneumonia, can lead to a long recovery. For example, the flu has long been linked to persistent symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches.

Infections with certain bacteria and Zika virus, among others, are linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition in which the immune system attacks the nervous tissue, causing muscle weakness and paralysis.

There is a precedent for infections with other coronaviruses. For example, the first SARS coronavirus and the Middle East Respiratory Virus (MERS) caused serious illness, and a significant number of patients developed acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) and needed intensive care.

Canadian researchers found common issues among SARS survivors in Toronto: sleep disorders, fatigue, depression, and muscle aches. One-third of survivors were forced to change jobs and lifestyles, and only 14% had no long-term symptoms. A Korean study found that 48% of MERS survivors experienced chronic fatigue within a year of recovery.

Many severe COVID-19 patients require a long recovery period, as widely recognized in the medical community. The virus can attack the heart through direct invasion and inflammation, damaging or destroying heart cells and affecting function. Also, the virus disrupts ACE2 receptors, which protect heart cells and degrade angiotensin II, a blood pressure-raising hormone.

Doctors have reported an increase in patients’ back and muscle pain complaints since the onset of the Omicron wave, and data from various countries confirm this.

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a clear list of symptoms, from fever to difficulty breathing to loss of taste and smell. As the pandemic developed and COVID-19 variants multiplied, the list of symptoms grew.

 

CONTENT:

1. Injuries to soft tissues and joints
2. Why pain occurs
3. Back pain, the newest symptom of the Omicron variant

 

Injuries to soft tissues and joints

With COVID-19, the pain complaints of many patients focus on the soft tissues around the joints. Those who have previously had back pain or joint problems may notice an occurrence of these problems after receiving Omicron.

The good news is that for the most part, back and muscle aches decrease and go away on their own when you recover, and the infection disappears from your body, which lasts about two weeks.

Because Omicron is still considered a new strain, there is not enough data to know if back pain will become one of its persistent symptoms. However, if you suffer from persistent back pain that does not improve over time, consult a doctor, whether or not you have had COVID-19.

 

Why pain occurs

A February report by the World Health Organization (WHO) looked at nearly 56,000 cases of COVID-19 in China and found that almost 15% of patients had muscle pain.
When you get sick, your body triggers an immune response against aggressors, such as harmful bacteria or viruses. Back and leg joint pain is due to the body’s inflammatory response to the virus.

These viral infections cause tremors, chills, body aches and difficulty moving.

This form of back pain feels like cramps or spasms in the back muscles.

Specifically, muscle aches and pains are a result of interleukin-releasing immune cells, which are proteins that help fight invasive pathogens.

Therefore, back pain may be in addition to the usual symptoms of COVID infection, such as fever, dry cough, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, headache or pain in other areas.

 

Back pain, the newest symptom of the Omicron variant

There are now reports of back pain, a new symptom of the Omicron variant. According to the Jerusalem Post, South Africa, which first reported Omicron, has seen an increase in reports of muscle aches, and especially back pain, among people infected with the virus. Indian and Norwegian data support this claim.

The cause of back pain is probably an increase in the level of inflammation in the body, as the immune system fights the invading virus, which stimulates the muscles and joints. Although it is still too early to know, some doctors suspect that Omicron has a unique effect on the bone and muscle system that is manifested by muscle pain.

While facing a viral infection, the body releases a lot of small proteins called cytokines that activate the immune system against pathogens. Cytokines can stimulate muscles and joints.

However, this virus is not the only one that causes this reaction. Back and muscle pain is a familiar symptom of all sorts of other viral and bacterial infections. This immune response, which is the body’s natural response to a viral infection, can lead to various complaints from patients related to the musculoskeletal system.