Back Pain
As a result of the natural
wear and tear that occurs with aging, certain parts of the spine
start to degenerate and wear out, as we grow older. This process
makes some of the anatomic structures of the spine, the bones, intervertebral
discs, ligaments, and muscles less flexible and less resistant to
injury.
Spondylolysis is a defect in the lamina of the vertebrae in the
pars interarticularis, usually the fourth or the fifth lumbar vertebrae
in the lower (lumbar) spine. Spondylolysis may occur as a congenital
defect or be the result of repetitive trauma. Some physicians believe
spondylolysis may be caused by genetics, and that someone could
be born with thin vertebral bones causing them to be vulnerable
to the condition. Spondylolysis is common in teenage gymnasts and
football players, and presents with lower back pain that is worse
with strenuous exercise or activity. Radiographic findings are subtle,
but bone scans or CT scans will usually detect the lesion. Activity
modification, bracing, or surgical treatment may be indicated for
persistent symptoms.
Spondylolysis is a prerequisite for spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis
occurs when spondylolysis weakens one of the vertebrae so much that
the bone slips out of place.
The condition can also be caused by degenerative disc disease. If
the vertebrae slip too much and begin to press on nerves, surgery
may become necessary. Spondylolisthesis may also be caused by degenerative
conditions that affect the vertebral joints, such as cerebral palsy.
Early treatment usually involves rest and medication. Progressive
spondylolisthesis usually requires surgical treatment.
Most acute pain in the back results from sustaining a mild strain
in the back or back musculature. Sprains and strains in your lower
back usually happen during a sudden and stressful injury, causing
stretching or tearing of the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in your
lower back. When you strain or sprain your lower back it causes
a lot of stress on your spine, irritating it. If you have this condition
you may also suffer from painful muscle spasms which can occur during
your daily activities or at night while you're sleeping. The pain
is usually limited to five or ten days.
Sciatica is the descriptive term for when pain runs from your back
or buttocks down your leg and into your foot
It is a condition caused by either compression or trauma of the
sciatic nerve. Sciatica is made worse when you cough or if someone
lifts your leg up while you are laying down. Symptoms may begin
abruptly or gradually, are usually irritated by movement, and often
grow worse at night. Sciatica implies that there is an irritation
of your nerve root in the lower part of your spine. In some instances,
this could be due to a ruptured or herniated disc in your lower
back.
A herniated ("slipped") or ruptured disc in your back can cause each
of these pain patterns. The ways in which a slipped disc causes different
pain patterns and problems with your back is related to the location
of the slipped disc along your spine, and also to the anatomy of your
spinal column.
The spinal column, or backbone, consists of 33 bones (vertebrae) and
can be divided into five segments, called the cervical, thoracic,
lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal sections of the spine. Each of these
sections corresponds to a particular part of your body. The cervical
spine is that part of the spine in your neck, the thoracic spine supports
your trunk, the lumbar spine supports your lower back and abdomen,
the sacrum supports your pelvis, and the coccyx is your tailbone.
Stenosis produces a dull, aching pain in the lower back when standing or
walking. The pain usually radiates down into the buttocks and thighs, and
can be relieved by stopping to rest, or by using a walker or a shopping
cart in the grocery store. These symptoms usually slowly get worse over
time, and people who suffer from spinal stenosis will notice a slow decrease
in their ability to walk shorter and shorter distances.
Lumbar stenosis is a natural product of aging, and the wear and tear on
the spine throughout our lives. As our bodies grow older, the ligaments
and bones that make up the spine grow thicker and become stiffer. The spinal
canal gradually narrows, and the spinal cord is slowly compressed. The lack
of space interferes with the normal function of the spinal cord and the
body becomes less able to function normally. |
