While there are many causes for back pain, most people find that it is a result of a musculoskeletal injury leading to spinal degeneration.
Back pain can result from an acute injury such as a strained muscle or soft tissue injury. It could also be a result of a chronic condition such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis (brittle bones). Acute injuries typically cause instantaneous pain and can result from overuse, unsafe lifting, or poor posture. If left untreated, acute injuries can lead to chronic pain.
Back pain can also be caused by the following:
Degenerative Disc Disease: This is when the spinal discs between the vertebrae breakdown. They become dehydrated, shrink, and slowly lose the ability to heal. Degenerative disc disease can be diagnosed with digital imaging. This condition is typically not painful for years to decades following an initial injury. This condition produces arthritis in the spine and symptoms mimic that of arthritis. Degenerative disc disease can be stopped and prevented from progressing. In advanced cases the bones of the spine can fuse, becoming permanently immobile.
Bulging Disc: This usually occurs because of an injury and generally after disc degeneration has occurred. The inner portion of the disc pushes into the outer supportive structure. This bulging of the disc weakens the supportive outer layer and can put pressure on a nerve or spinal cord creating neurological symptoms such as local pain, radiating pain, weakness and/or numbness.
Disc Herniation: this is a worsening of a bulging disc. This occurs when the inner portion of the disc pushes through, or herniates through the outer supportive layer of the disc. As with a bulging disc it may push on a nerve or the spinal cord creating neurological symptoms such as local pain, radiating pain, weakness and/or numbness. In some cases, the herniation can be reabsorbed or reversed.
Sciatica: this is pressure on the Sciatic nerve which runs down the back of the leg to the foot. Sciatica can be very painful and is often described as a burning sensation. Sciatica can also produce areas of numbness in the legs and create weakness in the legs, knees, ankles and feet. Sciatica can be caused by inflammation, misalignment of the lumbar vertebrae, disc injury, bone spurs and muscle spasms.
Scoliosis: this is a serious problem of spinal alignment usually involving a combination of spinal rotation and lateral translation (resulting in an abnormal “S” like shape in the spine). Scoliosis can feel like back pain or nothing at all. Often times a parent may notice that their child’s back just looks abnormal, or the child may have one shoulder higher than the other or poor posture. Scoliosis is usually diagnosed in childhood and gets worse over time. Scoliosis is most easily treated in children before puberty which is why Scoliosis screenings are recommended. The best way to definitively diagnose Scoliosis is with full spine digital imaging. No matter what your age, Scoliosis may be treated and reduced with rehabilitation and exercise. In severe cases, bracing may be necessary.
Spinal Stenosis: this is a general term indicating narrowing of the spine. This narrowing can occur within the spinal canal or where the nerve exits the spine through the vertebrae. Spinal stenosis is usually secondary to other problems such as cysts, disc injury, spinal degeneration, spondylosis or bone spurs. Spinal Stenosis pain can mimic a disc or nerve injury; creating local or referred pain to the arm or leg. It can also cause numbness and weakness. Properly diagnosing the source of the stenosis will help the clinician choose the most appropriate and least invasive treatment.
Accidents: accidents can result in a variety of injuries. Auto accidents, which often cause some form of whiplash, are a leading cause of spinal degeneration later in life. Even low speed accidents which result in little vehicle damage can cause injury to those involved. Getting checked out and receiving the proper care regardless of the extent of the accident will help reduce the risk of long-term injury and disability which in many cases is not noticed until years or even decades later in life.
Osteophytes / Spondylosis: these are bone spurs resulting from arthritis. As the flexible tissue at the end of the bones break down and the cushion between the bones lessens, the opposing bones rub together and result in inflammation which leads to arthritis and osteophyte formation. This can occur between any bones of the body. This arthritis is a direct consequence of joint degeneration. These osteophytes can cause pain and even pinch or rub on a nerve. These bony prominences do not occur in a healthy joint and are not a result of age although they are more frequently found in older adults because it is more likely for older adults to have unhealthy joints. Osteophytes do not get smaller or resolve but their progression can be halted with restoring proper function to the joint.
Radiculopathy: radiculopathy is a term used when there is pressure on a nerve or between opposing joints resulting in pain, weakness or numbness in the arm or leg. These symptoms are serious and get worse with time. Proper diagnosis to find the cause of the radiculopathy is necessary so that the tissues causing the radiculopathy can be treated. Bone misalignment, disc injuries and nerve entrapment via a muscle or other soft tissue each require a different treatment approach in order to get lasting relief.
Spondylolisthesis: This refers to an injury to the opposing joints between adjacent vertebrae. This type of injury results in slippage of one vertebra forward or backward in relation to the vertebra below. This is a serious condition which should be further evaluated with digital imaging to determine joint stability.
Myelopathy: This refers to compression of the spinal cord. This is a serious condition which can be caused by many factors, the most common of which is a disc injury pressing on the spinal cord. This type of injury is usually confirmed by imaging. The amount of myelopathy, the symptoms of the patient, the examination and where the spinal cord compression is found will determine what treatment is needed.
Most people experience back pain at some point in their lives. If left untreated, the symptoms often get worse. At Advanced Pain Solutions, our team of medical professionals discover the factors contributing to your back pain and determine the best course of action to relieve your pain and improve your function.
Why Risk Back Surgery?
Why put yourself through surgery if it can be avoided? Back surgery can be very expensive and isn’t always successful. Reports of the total cost of this procedure vary by hospital, physician and demographic region of the country. According to the published statistics, the cost of a spinal fusion or a laminectomy can easily range from $50,000 to $100,000. Published information also suggests that surgery success rates are conservatively rated at 50%.
Our providers at Advanced Pain Solutions specialize in the treatment of chronic and acute back pain and offer an innovative non-surgical back pain relief program that can relieve your discomfort and restore joint function and motion.