New antibiotic drug is a ‘massive game changer’ for people with chronic lower back pain

Chronic lower back pain is one of the top complaints that sends Americans to their doctors — and it’s a leading cause of missed workdays and disability claims.While slipped discs, arthritis and spinal problems are often blamed, for some, the real culprit is an infection. Now, there’s hope on the horizon for these patients. Early clinical trial results indicate a new antibiotic drug could treat — or even cure — the infection. Experts are hailing it as a “massive game changer” with the potential to drastically improve the quality of life for those suffering from chronic lower back pain.3Research suggests that for about 25% of patients with chronic back pain, the cause is a bacterial infection in their spinal discs — the spongy tissue that cushions and absorbs shock between vertebrae.This infection damages nearby bones, irritates nerves and fuels inflammation, leading to ongoing back pain. It also triggers changes in the bone marrow, known as Modic changes, which can be detected through a...