Unit 5 Discussion - Back Pain

Case #1

Based on the patient's symptoms, various diagnoses should be considered. Because the patient has a history of weight-bearing exercise, lumbar spine osteoarthritis should be evaluated. Muscle strain is another possibility; nevertheless, the discomfort should subside after a few minutes of relaxation.

A CT, arthroscopy or MRI should be ordered if the doctor suspects osteoarthritis (McCance & Huether, 2019). For the diagnosis to be clear, a thorough examination of the patient's symptoms and medical history is necessary.

A long list of tests is in store for this patient. For instance, does moving to exacerbate the pain? How is the discomfort affected by weight-bearing? Tenderness to touch is an indication of discomfort. Does the patient need a cane or other helpful devices? Is the main site of discomfort affected by heat or ice? The healthcare practitioner should also look for swelling, inflammation, and skeletal abnormalities.

Case #2

As a bone disease, osteoporosis weakens and brittles bones. This is a long-term condition, and it is typically discovered after a fracture (McCane & Huether, 2019). Because old bone is reabsorbed quicker than new bone can be formed, the bones become porous and brittle. The state of one's bones may be assessed via a bone mineral density test. Osteoporosis may affect both men and women, although postmenopausal women are more likely to suffer.

An underlying condition known as osteoarthritis is the gradual degeneration of joint cartilage over time due to wear and strain. It is common for the damaged joint to become calcified as the condition progresses. Injuries, mechanical stress, and chronic illness may all contribute to osteoarthritis despite the exact origin being unknown (McCance & Huether, 2019). As a rule of thumb, women over 45 are more likely to suffer from this condition.

For osteoporosis, a variety of drugs are used. It is suggested that postmenopausal women take 1500mg of calcium and vitamin D each day. Calcium absorption may be aided by taking magnesium supplements. Selective estrogen receptor modulators and biphosphates are administered to lower the risk of fractures. Too far, the most promising treatment for slowing bone loss has been the monoclonal antibody denosumab (denosumab). Osteoporosis is associated with smoking. This patient should be advised to stop smoking. Moderate weight-bearing activity should also be advised for the patient since this may delay the pace of bone loss (McCance and Huether, 2019). In certain cases, a recommendation for physical therapy may be given. The doctor should recommend a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to the patient. Osteoporosis is more common in women who eat a diet low in vegetables (Woo-Youn & Jung-Ha, 2021). Bone health and the avoidance of fractures may be improved for patients on osteoporosis medication and dietary and lifestyle changes.

References

McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2019). Pathophysiology: the biologic basis for disease in adults and children. Elsevier.

Woo-young, S., & Jung-ha, K. (2021). Poor diet quality is associated with self-reported knee pain in community-dwelling women aged 50 years and older. PLoS One, 16(2)