Professional Radiology, Inc.

Lumbar pain is the fifth most common reason for doctor visits in the United States. Back pain in general is the most common cause for activity limitations in people under 45 years of age. While the majority of back pain is caused by a simple strain or pulled muscle, severe back pain can also result from a more serious condition. Here is a list of the most common causes of lumbar pain:

• Muscle overuse or injury
• Ligament overuse or injury
• Lumbar facet and sacroiliac joint injuries
• Lumbar nerve compression
• Herniated disc
• Osteoarthritis
• Spinal stenosis
• Vertebral compression fractures

When nerves are compressed or inflamed in the lumbar spine, this irritation can cause lumbar or lower back pain, which can also be felt in the leg and groin area. There are many nerves than can be affected by disease of the spine. One of the largest nerves in the body is the Sciatic nerve. Irritation to this nerve can cause pain in various parts of the leg and groin area. This is sometimes referred to as “Sciatica”.

If you develop lumbar pain in Cincinnati, Professional Radiology offers a number of body imaging services that can detect the root cause of your lumbar pain. The standard for this evaluation is MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).There are other services offered by Professional Radiology that can be used to help detect serious causes of lumbar pain, including x-ray, CAT scan or CT (Computed Tomography), diagnostic fluoroscopy, and nuclear medicine bone scan.

After you have been properly diagnosed, an appropriate treatment can be prescribed. Professional Radiology can also be a great source in helping treat lumbar pain in Cincinnati. Many of the causes of lumbar pain can be treated by minimally invasive outpatient procedures. These treatments include Steroid injection, Kyphoplasty, and Vertebroplasty.

• Epidural Steroid Injection: An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is an injection of steroids into the area around an irritated nerve. The steroid remains in the area and reduces inflammation of nerves, which alleviates pain. Anesthetic can also be combined with the steroid injection to act as a numbing agent. These medications can also be injected into facet joints and sacroiliac joints for pain relief.
• Kyphoplasty: This minimally invasive procedure fixes vertebra that are fractured with compression. The doctor places a balloon into the fractured vertebra through a tiny skin incision to restore its shape and height. Bone cement is then added to seal and strengthen the bone, which relieves back pain.
• Vertebroplasty: This is a minimally invasive procedure similar to kyphoplasty, but no balloon is used. Cement is injected into the fractured vertebra to stabilize the bone thereby eliminating pain associated with a compression fracture.

Physicians with Professional Radiology are expertly trained at administering and interpreting body imaging techniques required to properly diagnose lumbar pain and highly skilled at performing various minimally invasive treatments to alleviate your lumbar pain.