My disc is out …

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal complaint seen in general practice in Australia, and is believed to affect the lives of one in six Australians where four out of five will experience back pain sometime in their life.

A lumbar disc bulge is commonly assumed as a source of pain, however disc bulges are a common finding in an investigation in a patient with no back pain.

In a recent systematic review 30% of 20 year old patients who reported no lumbar pain had a prominent disc bulge which increased to 50% in 40 year olds and 70% of 60 year olds all who reported no lumbar pain. 

LBP can be quite complex, where pain doesn’t always originate from a disc bulge. Many patients get highly anxious when an investigation depicts a disc pathology, but don’t stress it’s a common finding. If you are suffering from LBP book in, it’s a common issue which we treat and assist patients all the time.