In recent years, back pain has become one of the most common complaints presented by patients in emergency departments and outpatient settings.This pain is not a single nosological unit but is a clinical manifestation of multiple diseases.What makes this symptom particularly severe is that it is often accompanied by acute pain, significant limitations in physical activity, and a reduction in people's ability to work.
The main cause of back pain is spinal disease; in addition, this clinical manifestation can also be caused by pathologies of internal organs, occupational characteristics (long periods of sitting at a desk or in the driver's seat, heavy physical work), injury or pregnancy.In most cases, the cause of the pain can be found by carefully examining the patient; sometimes additional testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis.Relief of a pain syndrome depends on the characteristics of the underlying disease and its course; treatment is chosen individually for each case.
Medical statistics show that more than half of the world's population suffers from back pain.Moreover, in childhood, this symptom is a manifestation of visceral disease and is very rare.Back pain occurs more frequently as we age, and by old age, almost everyone will experience back pain, with only about 25% of people with the condition seeking medical advice.
What are the dangers of back pain?
In most cases, untimely or inadequate back pain treatment leads to the chronicity of the process.Chronic back pain is a very common cause of performance decline in people aged 40 to 55 years and is characterized by:
- permanent characteristics;
- Increased during exercise and physical activity;
- limited physical activity;
- Feeling of stiffness in the back.
The chronic process is characterized by relapsing courses and frequent exacerbations caused by prolonged hypothermia, physical activity, or positioning.Exacerbations are followed by periods of remission, during which there is no or minimal pain at all.In most cases, back pain does not pose a direct threat to a person's health or life, but such symptoms manifest themselves as serious lesions in the spine and internal organs and require immediate consultation with a specialist.
Back pain caused by common diseases
Common conditions that present as back pain include sciatica and disc herniation.
The severity of pain in these diseases depends on the stage of progression and the patient's sensitivity threshold.
Radiculitis
Radiculopathy, or radiculitis, is a condition caused by compression of the roots of the spinal cord that presents with motor and autonomic disturbances and severe pain.There is cervical, thoracic and lumbar (lumbosacral) radiculitis.
clinical manifestations
It manifests itself as a distinct pain syndrome, localized at the site of invasion and aggravated by movement and coughing, even if mild.Pain can be of different qualities (aching, dull or sharp), occur periodically or be constant.In most cases, the pain radiates to the upper or lower limbs.In addition to pain, the disease is characterized by muscle weakness and loss of sensitivity in the limbs.
herniated disc
A disc fragment that herniates or prolapses into the spinal canal is called a disc herniation.Most commonly, the disease occurs in people ages 25 to 50; at-risk groups include drivers, people who sit for long periods of time, and people who are forced to lift heavy objects every day.
clinical manifestations
The main symptom is pain, which is dull and intermittent at the beginning of the disease and worsens with physical exertion, coughing, and staying in one position for long periods of time.As the hernia progresses, the pain may intensify and radiate into the arm, buttocks, or thighs, depending on the location of the hernia.
Causes of pain in people over 50
Almost every older adult will experience spinal pain; the most common causes of this symptom are the following conditions:
osteoporosis
clinical manifestations
The disease is characterized by an asymptomatic or barely noticeable onset with symptoms similar to those of osteochondrosis.Often, the pathology is already detected by characteristic injuries or rather fractures, which may occur with minimal load or slight bruising.
This disease is difficult to notice in its early stages; it usually presents with the following signs:
- Pain in the lumbar or thoracic spine that occurs with prolonged static load and sudden changes in weather conditions;
- Brittle hair and nails;
- Non-inflammatory periodontal disease is possible;
- Postural changes and loss of height;
- Leg cramps at night.
Spondylosis
Chronic degenerative dystrophic disease of the spine caused by deformation of the vertebrae and the appearance of bony growths and vertebrae (osteophytes) on their surfaces.
clinical manifestations
In its early stages, it presents as mildly limited spinal mobility.As the disease progresses, a pronounced pain syndrome develops due to overloaded areas of immobilization.As the physiological curve of the spine gradually straightens, severe, excruciating pain is accompanied by muscle tension and limited movement.
Causes of pain in people under 50
Typically, the following conditions are the cause of lumbar or thoracic pain that occurs in young or middle age:
- Sacroiliitis;
- Spinal osteomyelitis;
- Spondylolisthesis;
- Fibrositis.
sacroiliitis
The inflammatory process located in the sacroiliac joints is called sacroiliitis.The cause of this disease can be injuries, chronically increased load on the joints (during pregnancy, lifting weights or sedentary work), congenital developmental abnormalities, metabolic disorders, tumors.
clinical manifestations
The pain is localized to the pelvic area and radiates along the sciatic nerve on the affected side; it is intensified by pressure from the iliac wings and flexion of the limb.If the pain is severe, the patient will assume a forced position with the knees bent.In addition to pain, increased body temperature, purulent abscesses, and severe toxic syndrome may be observed.This disease is usually treated surgically.
spinal osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a purulent infectious disease that affects bone tissue, periosteum, and bone marrow.It can be acute (first occurrence) or chronic (long-term, characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission).
clinical manifestations
It begins with chills, an elevated body temperature (often as high as 40.0), and an increased heart rate.After 2-4 days, local pain will appear at the lesion, local tissue swelling and congestion (redness), and movement activities will be limited.In chronic osteomyelitis, there are traces of fistulas (round wounds with purulent discharge) on the skin.If you suspect you have osteomyelitis, you should seek help from your doctor immediately.This pathology is treated by a surgeon.
spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is the forward displacement of the vertebrae due to a congenital non-fusion of the vertebral arch and the body or degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs.In most cases, it occurs when the fifth lumbar vertebra becomes displaced.
clinical manifestations
The main manifestation is chronic pain in the waist, caused by spondylolisthesis and nerve ending compression.The pain usually radiates into the hip area and worsens when trying to straighten.It may be accompanied by leg pain, muscle weakness, and numbness in the extremities.
fibrosis
Fibritis is a nonspecific inflammatory process characterized by fibrosis and fatty degeneration of fibrous connective tissue.The exact cause of the disease is not yet known.More common in middle-aged women.
clinical manifestations
- Moderate or severe persistent back pain;
- Headache;
- neck and shoulder pain;
- Pain and stiffness in the spine in the morning;
- sleep disorders;
- irritability.
The pain may worsen when going out in the cold season, after excessive exercise, after emotional stress, and in the morning.
Pain of musculoskeletal origin
The musculoskeletal system allows you to hold your body in space and move, with spatial and pain sensitivity.Injury or disease that damages any element of this system, even the smallest one, can lead to the development of pain.Various injuries, excessive physical activity, and displacement of the articular processes of the vertebrae can lead to inflammatory processes in the tissues of the spine, which can become the cause of pain.
Pain radiating to the back and lumbar area (stenosis)
Due to spinal stenosis (narrowing of the exit hole of the spinal canal or spinal nerve root), nerve fibers are compressed, pain in the back can radiate to the legs, and the patient's gait may change and cause a limp.
The pain is dull and constant.The cause of this disease is age changes, so it is less likely to occur in young and middle-aged people.For treatment, a surgical method called decompression surgery is used, in which the vertebral arch is dissected.
Back pain after trauma
Back injuries can be caused by:
- Sudden weight lifting often causes sprains or tears in muscle fibers or ligaments;
- fall;
- Blow or bruise;
- Mechanical shock.
When an injury occurs, pain is accompanied by spasms in the muscle fibers that resolve within a few hours to a few days, depending on the severity of the injury.In severe injuries, muscle spasms may last for weeks.Severe pain is felt immediately after an injury, which is replaced by soreness after some time.
back pain during pregnancy
For some women, persistent pain in the lower back begins in the first few months of pregnancy and does not go away until delivery.The cause of the pain is an increase in the secretion of relaxin, a hormone responsible for preparing the baby for passage through the birth canal, the ligamentous apparatus that softens the sacral area.Chronic pain in the lumbar region may occur due to the action of relaxin on all ligaments and the increased load on the spine of pregnant women.
How to relieve low back pain during pregnancy:
- No high heels;
- All movements must proceed smoothly;
- You can’t lift weights;
- If you need to lift something heavy, try to spread the weight between your hands without bending or jerking;
- You shouldn’t bend to the floor, you need to kneel;
- No need to remove high objects.
Causes of pain above the waist
The main causes of pain above the waist are:
- osteochondrosis;
- Myofascial syndrome.
osteochondrosis
The degenerative dystrophic process that results in changes in the normal structure of the cartilage tissue of the spine is called osteochondrosis.There is osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral vertebrae.The disease is often accompanied by disc herniation and intervertebral hernia.
clinical manifestations
Symptoms of the disease vary depending on where it occurs:
- Cervical osteochondrosis manifests as pain, stiffness, and headache when moving the neck and arms; when the vertebral artery is compressed, symptoms such as dizziness, hearing loss, and fainting may occur.
- In the chest form of the disease, severe pain (tingling) in the back and chest, heartache, and difficulty breathing occur.
- Lumbosacral positioning is characterized by low back pain that radiates to the legs, and the pain worsens during movement; low back pain, numbness of the limbs, and genitourinary system diseases may occur.
myofascial syndrome
Myofascial syndrome is a disorder characterized by excessive tension in the muscles of the spine.The main reason for this is chronic static overloading (being in an uncomfortable position) of the spinal muscular framework.
clinical manifestations
The pain is concentrated on one or both sides of the spine and worsens with stress, overexertion, injury, or sudden hypothermia.Pain can vary in severity, from mild, barely noticeable discomfort to severe pain that lasts for days.
One of the most effective ways to relieve back pain istherapeutic blockade.