Bacterial link discovery could signal end to back pain misery for many

Researchers have demonstrated a link between many cases of long-term back pain and infection by acne bacteria. One leading British expert described the discovery as “the stuff of Nobel prizes”.

Trial evidence indicates that pills to treat infection rather than surgery can bring an end to the misery of constant lower back pain. If the results are confirmed, many thousands of people in the UK who suffer from chronic back pain could benefit. Around four million Britons can expect to suffer from chronic lower back pain some time in their lives.

In the first of two papers published in the European Spine Journal, Danish researchers showed how bacteria invading the injury sites of slipped discs caused painful inflammation and damage to surrounding vertebrae.

Infection was previously thought to play only a small role in back pain.

But nearly half the slipped disc patients studied by the scientists tested positive for bacterial infection.

The vast majority of infections were caused by Propionbacterium acnes, the bug responsible for acne.

P. acnes secretes an acid capable of dissolving bone, leading to painful bone swelling.