title: Management of degenerative disk disease and chronic low back pain.
abstract: Degenerative disk disease is a strong etiologic risk factor of chronic low back pain (LBP). A multidisciplinary approach to treatment is often warranted. Patient education, medication, and cognitive behavioral therapies are essential in the treatment of chronic LBP sufferers. Surgical intervention with a rehabilitation regime is sometimes advocated. Prognostic factors related to the outcome of different treatments include maladaptive pain coping and genetics. The identification of pain genes may assist in determining individuals susceptible to pain and in patient selection for appropriate therapy. Biologic therapies show promise, but clinical trials are needed before advocating their use in humans.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. Jaro.Karppinen@ttl.fi
authors.forename: Jaro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karppinen
authors.forename: Francis H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Keith D K
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Luk
authors.forename: Gunnar B J
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Kenneth M C
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Dino
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Samartzis
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics