Hammersmith surgeons investigate link between back pain and blood flow
Surgeons in Hammersmith are to investigate the connection between low back pain and blockages in the body's blood flow. The team believes that surgery to relieve this blockage could reduce back pain for many sufferers.
Degenerative disc disease and low back pain affect more than one million people throughout the UK, and costs the NHS around £480m a year.
Now a team led by Professor Sean Hughes, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery and Nigel Standfield, consultant vascular surgeon at Imperial College's Hammersmith Hospital Campus, has been awarded a grant of almost £160,000 by medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign to investigate the links between arterial disease and degenerative disc disease.
"Our understanding of the causes of these conditions is limited, and makes treatment difficult," explained Professor Hughes. "Recent studies indicate a significant association between arterial disease and degenerative disc disease, and the aim of this project is to investigate the effects of compromised arterial blood flow to the lumbar spine.
"We are also looking at the possibility that the obstruction of venous blood outflow through the holes in the intervertebral discs may result in the low back pain, and that surgical relief of this obstruction may relieve the pain."
Professor Hughes and his team will use advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI and Doppler ultrasound, to assess blood flow dynamics within the aorta and lumbar arteries.
"By understanding why the disc degenerates we may be able to develop preventative measures, and reduce disability and pain in a large percentage of the population," he added.
The Arthritis Research Campaign raised almost £23m from public donations over the past 12 months to fund an extensive research programme into all forms of arthritis and rheumatic disease. It currently pumps £2.5m into work at Imperial College.
