TEST FOR BACK DISC PROBLEMS
Report #7254
Sometimes, it's not so easy to tell whether back pain is caused by a crushed disc in the back or something else. Studies from France show that a blood test called phospholipase A(2) can be used to diagnose that condition
The bones of your spine are separated by pads called discs. Sudden pressure on the back can squeeze the discs between the bones and flatten them like pancakes,/ to press on the nerves near them and cause pain (1). It's important to tell whether the pain is caused by a slipped disc which can be corrected with surgery/ or arthritis of the spine, which is not. This recent report shows that discs contain a chemical called phospholipase A that spills into the bloodstream when discs are crushed. Therefore, a doctor can use this test to help diagnose a slipped disc.
Most people with slipped discs recover with rest, heat, cold, stretching, massage, manipulation, muscle strengthening and pain medication. Surgery to hammer and chisel the disc off the nerve is indicated usually only when the pain is severe or a person loses feeling or muscle control. While a lifetime of exercise does not affect susceptibility to suffering disc disease (3), prevention is to always increase exercise and work load slowly and gradually (1).
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D., for CBS Radio News
1) Adams MA, Dolan P. Could sudden increases in physical activity cause degeneration of
intervetebral discs? Lancet. 1997(Sept 6);350(9079):734-5. 2) Piperno, M.; Legraverand, M.P.H.; Reboul, P.; Mathieu, P.; Tron, A.M.; Perrin, G.;
Peschard, M.J.; Richard, M.; Vignon, E. Phospholipase A(2) activity in herniated lumbar
discs: Clinical correlations and inhibition by piroxicam. Spine SEP 15
1997;22(18):2061-2065. E Vignon/Ctr Hosp Lyon Sud/Serv Rhumatol/F-69495 Pierre Benite,
France. 3) Videman T et al. Lifetime exercise and disc degeneration: an MRS study of monozygotic
twins. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997(Oct);29(10):1350-6.
Checked 8/9/05