Abstract
Chronic low back pain (CBBP) is a common symptom affecting around 10 % of adult population in Western societies. Neuropathic component is common, affecting around 1/3 of CBBP patients.
It consists of local neuropathic pain within the degenerated intervertebral disc and surrounding soft tissues as well as radicular pain which is caused by local nerve root compression, swelling or inflamation. Clinical manifestation of neuropathic low back pain depends on affected nerve structures.
Compression of nerve root or ventral rami of spinal nerve usually causes sciatica. Symptoms of local neuropathic pain vary from latent trigger points or segmental tenderness (myofascial pain syndrome) to abnormal skin sensations within the low back area.
Presence of neuropathic pain has important impact upon analgetic treatment, first line non-steroid antiflogistics (NSA) are effective in nociceptive pain only and does not have significant effect on neuropathic component. Adjunct of tricyclic antidepressants, 3rd generation anticonvulsants such as pregabaline or gabapentine or local anesthetic/steroid blocks can be beneficial in patients who do not respond to NSA in monotherapy.
Non-pharmacotherapeutical procedures - manipulation techniques, back school, physical therapy, accupuncture or psychotherapy are no less effective therapeutic approaches, that can be used for complex treatment of chronic low back pain. Key words: chronic low back pain, neuropathic pain, degenerative spine disease.