Back Pain and Spinal Conditions

Back pain typically results from a spinal condition or an injury. A spinal condition can usually be diagnosed and monitored using radiological studies (e.g., X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). If an individual without a spinal condition experiences pain, radiological imaging may be unable to detect the problem. Common reasons for back pain in these instances include poor posture, bending, twisting, falling, using the back instead of the legs while lifting, or some type of accident (e.g., a car wreck).

A Back Strain or Sprain

Participating in strenuous sports, overusing the back, lifting too much weight, bending or twisting, and muscle fatigue can all damage the soft tissue in the back. This damage can result in inflammation, small amounts of blood seeping into the tissue, muscle spasms, and bruising. Everyday life can be difficult when back pain is present.

What Type of Pain Is Present With a Back Sprain or Strain?

The pain an individual experiences can include a dull ache and a sharp, deep stabbing or burning sensation. This pain usually subsides within a few weeks. However, if an individual’s ability to heal is impaired or repeated injuries occur, this pain could become chronic (i.e., long-lasting).

Why Does a Back Sprain or Strain Affect the Way an Individual Walks?

The muscles supporting the vertebrae in the lower back are the abdominal muscles, the side muscles, and the gluteal muscles in the buttocks. Following an injury to a tendon, muscle, or ligament, inflammation leads to pain. Since these injuries cause stiffness, an individual moves around differently. Muscle spasms can also affect one’s posture and positioning. These changes occur as the body attempts to limit the spasms. There are times when an injury to the back even affects an individual’s ability to stand upright.

Hyperlordosis/Swayback

A slight inward curve in the neck and lumbar regions of the spine is normal. However, if an individual has weak muscles in the front of their trunk, these areas may curve too much. These weak muscles may have difficulty supporting the spinal column, thus allowing for additional curving in the lower back. Excessive curvature of the spine is referred to as hyperlordosis or swayback.

Osteoarthritis

This type of arthritis frequently affects the spinal column. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It wears away joint cartilage.

As osteoarthritis progresses, an individual’s cervical spine may hyperextend, leading to nerve pain resulting from spinal nerve compression.

Osteoporosis

This condition results from the demineralization of bones. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women aged 65 and older have annual osteoporosis screenings. In addition, women under the age of 65 who have increased risk factors for developing osteoporosis need to have annual screenings. Addressing osteoporosis is essential because this condition increases the likelihood of a vertebral compression fracture.

A Spinal Cord Injury

If the spinal column experiences trauma, it could lead to spinal cord damage. When the spinal cord becomes damaged, serious consequences may result. For example, injury to the spinal cord in the lumbar region of the spine may result in paraparesis, which is an impairment in the sensory or motor function of the lower extremities. If there is considerable damage, an individual may become paralyzed from the waist down.

Spinal Stenosis

The central spinal canal houses the spinal cord, which is surrounded by spinal fluid. Spinal stenosis refers to a condition in which this canal narrows, causing various symptoms in the extremities. These symptoms include weakness, numbness, and pain. Spinal stenosis can result from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, trauma, or Paget disease of the bone. When an individual has spinal stenosis, their symptoms usually improve when they bend forward.

Bulging, Herniated, and Ruptured Discs

The intervertebral discs between the vertebrae are essentially shock absorbers. The inside of these discs is gelatinous and referred to as the internal nucleus pulposus. When pressure is placed on the nerves, they are considered pinched. Therefore, the term pinched nerve refers to a compressed nerve.

A Bulging Disc

As time passes, the gelatinous material in the discs becomes dehydrated and less flexible. Once this happens, the intervertebral disc cannot absorb the shock and cushion the vertebrae as it did before. This wear and tear allows the disc to begin flattening and spreading outside of its borders. Thus, decreasing the space between the vertebrae it previously cushioned.

As the disc flattens and the space between the vertebrae decreases, an individual may begin to experience bone-on-bone pain.

A Herniated, Ruptured, or Slipped Disc

Herniated, ruptured, and slipped discs all refer to the same issue. A disc herniation occurs when the tougher layer of the disc cracks, allowing the internal nucleus pulposus to protrude out of its normal space. If this protrusion places pressure on surrounding nerves, the area may begin to swell, and an individual will experience pain.

The symptoms of a herniated disc include pain, weakness, numbness, and decreased reflexes. The severity of the herniation determines which treatment the doctor prescribes.

Spondylolisthesis

This term refers to a complete dislocation of a vertebral bone with anterior displacement over another vertebra. This displacement may increase the pressure placed on the spinal nerves in the area. The pressure results in the development of pain in the parts of the body that the pinched nerve serves.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

This inflammatory disease is also referred to as spondyloarthritis. This disease can cause vertebrae to fuse together, which makes the spinal column less flexible.

Tuberculous Spondylitis

Tuberculous spondylitis is also known as Pott’s disease. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. This inflammation develops due to an infection resulting from advanced tuberculosis.

Potential symptoms of Pott’s disease include:

Lower limb weakness.
Back pain.
Weight loss.
Fever.
Rounded upper back (i.e., kyphosis).

If you have back pain, seeking care from an experienced physiatrist is vital. The sooner you find out why you are having pain, the better. Your solution could be as simple as anti-inflammatory medication or therapeutic massage.

Sources:

Dealing with Chronic Pain