Back pain is a common reason to visit the doctor. The cause of discomfort in this area can be several diseases.
What is ankylosing spondylitis, as evidenced by severe pain in the sacral area, radiating to the legs, what studies are carried out during the diagnosis, the cause of pain in the lower part of the shoulder blade and the most effective treatment methods - in the material.
Lower back pain
The sudden onset of acute pain in the lower back is a fairly common occurrence. These symptoms, which are characteristic of many pathological conditions, are not always caused by spinal diseases. Manifestations and causes of pain may vary.
Types of pain
With the nature of the pain occurring in the lumbar region, the main cause of the discomfort can be identified.
strong
Starting in the sacrum, severe pain is localized in the hip joint. The pain radiates down the leg and is felt in the leg. Similar symptoms are observed in osteochondrosis with the risk of limb numbness.
The mechanism of pain development is compression of the sciatic nerve. The pain worsens when walking quickly, bending over or coughing. Prolonged compression of the gluteal muscle leads to its atrophy.
Acute
Acute pain occurs suddenly. They are unbearable and very intense, often characterized as "lumbago". Depending on the cause, the pain may be triggered by physical activity. Accompanied by stiffness of movement (sometimes impossible to straighten). The slightest movement improves symptoms. Acute pain may persist for up to six weeks.
Interesting and sick
Nagging pain and pain in the lumbar region are most often caused by diseases such as hernia, protrusion and inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
Chronicle
The cause of constant pain in the lower back can be a hernia or protrusion, accompanied by degenerative changes in the spine. The intensity of such manifestations increases with physical exercise and is a consequence of physical inactivity.
Moved
The occurrence of such symptoms is secondary. Diseases of the genitourinary system, ovaries, prostate and other internal organs are accompanied by painful symptoms in the lumbar region.
mechanical
Mechanical pain occurs during or immediately after physical activity.
Shining
Such pain is dull and painful. Painful sensations can also radiate to the legs (all the way to the feet).
Local
They are characterized by the appearance of unpleasant sensations in certain areas of the lower back.
Mirrored
Referred pain is pain that is felt in a different location than the actual pain.
Radicular
Radicular syndrome is a neuralgic manifestation that may be accompanied by numbness and loss of sensitivity.
Myofascial
Such pain is accompanied by muscle spasms and intensifies when touching the muscles.
Cause
The causes of low back pain are very diverse and can be associated with pathological conditions both in the spine itself and in the tissues around it.
Experts have identified the main pathology that causes pain in the lower back.
Ankylosing spondylitis
This is a systemic disease accompanied by inflammation of the spinal connective tissue. With spondylitis, fusion of the vertebrae occurs, as a result of which their motor activity is limited, and ankylosis (joint immobility) is formed. As a result of the ossification of the paravertebral ligaments, the spine gradually becomes a dense and inflexible bone.
Pathological conditions are characterized by increased symptoms:
- First, pain appears in the lumbar region, gradually covering new areas;
- negative symptoms sometimes bother you, but over time they develop into permanent ones;
- stiffness of movement increases.
The expression of signs is observed at night. In the morning the pain became unbearable.
Osteochondrosis
Growth, destruction, protrusion of cartilaginous tissue caused by a violation of their nutrition. This disease causes destructive changes in the intervertebral disc and provokes the development of arthrosis of the spinal joints.
Against this background, dorsalgia (back pain) develops with characteristic manifestations of shooting in the lumbar region, with radiation to the buttocks and legs. Weakness and numbness appear in the lower part of the leg. In this case, the tip of the root nerve is pinched, which causes a burning and tingling sensation.
Hernia
Intervertebral hernia is a complication of osteochondrosis. It is characterized by the protrusion of disc fragments and their prolapse into the vertebral canal.
There are no symptoms at the initial stage, but the lack of treatment causes an increase in pain, while limiting the mobility of the lumbar region. Acute pain sensations are observed, increasing against the background of energy, they force the person to take an anti-pain position.
Kyphosis and scoliosis
Pain in the lumbar region is a result of the curvature of the spinal column. In the early stages of spinal curvature defects, there are no negative symptoms. But over time, muscle fatigue appears with periodic manifestations, but develops into constant discomfort. Pain is painful in nature and increases with physical activity.
Spondyloarthrosis
With this pathology, articular cartilage is destroyed and osteophytes (bone growths) are formed. This leads to narrowing of the spinal canal and compression of the nerve roots. As a result of these changes, severe pain occurs, intensifies during physical activity and subsides at rest. Muscle tension is observed, causing a decrease in motor activity.
Prominence
Prerequisites for the formation of protrusions are spinal injuries, excessive physical activity allowed, and muscle weakness due to physical inactivity. In this case, disc protrusion occurs, accompanied by tension in the lower back and painful discomfort.
Joint pain
In rare cases, the cause of painful manifestations in the lumbar joint is inflammation of the lumbar region. In the chronic course of this disease, patients are disturbed by "lumbago", which often occurs as a result of hypothermia and overwork.
Osteomyelitis
With osteomyelitis, the inflammatory process of bone tissue is observed. The acute period of the disease is characterized by attacks of severe pain. Lack of therapy leads to the disease becoming chronic, but the pain syndrome persists.
Pancreatitis
Pain in the lower back is a sign of inflammation of the pancreas. This disease occurs with paroxysmal stabbing, cutting and pulling sensations.
Spinal stenosis
The pathological condition is caused by complications of hernia and protrusion. Compression of the nerve root causes discomfort when walking, resting, and worsens when bending over.
Facet syndrome
Destructive changes in the intervertebral discs cause degeneration of the facet joints (connecting the vertebrae from the back). This condition is accompanied by increased load on the muscles and bones and causes an inflammatory process with the development of spondyloarthrosis and subsequent degenerative changes.
In the area of the affected joint, pain is felt in the form of spasm attacks during bending and rotation of the lower back. One of the symptoms is stiffness of movement in the morning and increased discomfort in the evening.
Localization
To identify the cause of pain in the lumbar region, you must first determine the location of the discomfort. To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to contact a specialist.
Pain below the waist
The cause of pain under the lower back is most often pathological conditions in the spine or internal organs. The resulting discomfort may indicate the development of:
- osteoporosis;
- osteochondrosis;
- urolithiasis;
- inflammatory process in the ureter;
- cholecystitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- gastric;
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
In such cases, pain most often appears after lifting heavy objects or walking quickly. Often, painful sensations under the lower back occur after a severe injury or infectious disease. They are also present during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Pain above the lower back, but below the shoulder blade
Pain between the lower back and shoulder blade can be caused by the following diseases:
- pathology of the spine in the lumbar and thoracic region or previous injuries in these regions;
- osteoporosis;
- muscle spasms or tension;
- pancreatitis.
Similar manifestations can occur against the background of the development of neoplasms of various etiologies.
Lower left back pain
A painful sensation in the lower back, radiating to the left shoulder blade and covering the left side of the neck, is often caused by myocardial infarction.
Cutting pain in this area indicates the possibility of a perforated ulcer.
Also, such symptoms may indicate the presence of diseases and pathological conditions such as radiculitis, osteochondrosis, and poor posture. In such cases, painful pain is felt that occurs against the background of physical inactivity or exceeding the permissible load.
Right back pain
Suspicion of kidney or genitourinary pathology arises when a dull pain appears on the right side. Inflammation may have an infectious etiology or result from hypothermia.
Sharp and sudden pain on the right side indicates a possible perforated ulcer, ruptured appendicitis, or indicates internal bleeding. Pain on the right side often indicates muscle tension and radiculopathy.
Back pain when coughing
Possible causes of lower back pain when coughing:
- osteochondrosis;
- hernia;
- nerve root stenosis, causing weakness and difficulty walking;
- facet arthropathy, where muscle tension occurs;
- injured annulus fibrosus;
- pathological conditions of the kidneys.
A painful sensation when coughing is often observed against the background of neuralgia.
Low back pain can occur for physiological reasons. This includes:
- overweight,
- passive lifestyle,
- excessive physical activity.
Diagnostics
To determine the source of pain in the lumbar region, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic examination. It includes laboratory tests and instrumental procedures.
The main ones:
- blood tests (general, biochemical), urine;
- tests for tumor markers;
- x-ray of the lumbar spine;
- endoscopic examination of internal organs;
- Ultrasound (ultrasound examination);
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
It is also necessary to seek advice from neurologists and chiropractors. An accurate diagnosis is established by a specialist who, based on the results of the examination, will decide how to treat lower back pain.
Treatment
The main methods of treating back pain:
- medicine;
- physiotherapy;
- surgical intervention.
Diseases accompanied by back pain can pose a serious danger to human health (even death). Without self-medication, you should consult a therapist, neurologist or neurologist. Often, to identify the cause of pain, it is necessary to consult a urologist and a gynecologist.
Surgery
Surgical intervention is only relevant as an emergency measure for oncology. Specialists perform planned operations only if there are no positive dynamics in the therapeutic treatment of protrusions, hernias and fractures.
Medicine
The first step in pain relief is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are used in various forms - tablets, injections, rectal suppositories, patches, ointments or gels.
Depending on the established diagnosis and severity of symptoms, glucocorticosteroids are also used - hormonal drugs that relieve pain and inflammation. If muscle spasms are present, muscle relaxants are prescribed.
Vitamin B is suitable as an adjunctive therapy to improve nerve conduction. Drug therapy should always be accompanied by non-drug treatment methods: physiotherapy, physical therapy, massage (only outside of exacerbations). Depending on the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the measures taken, the severity of the symptoms and based on the examination, the patient may be recommended surgical treatment - hernia removal, spinal cord root compression removal.
Treatment depends on the cause of back pain. Pathology of internal organs must be eliminated by a specialist; inflammatory lesions of the skeletal system, systemic inflammation may require antibiotic therapy.
Restoration
When the patient's condition improves and the acute symptoms of the disease are eliminated, the doctor can prescribe physiotherapy sessions (electrophoresis, laser therapy, ultrasound, magnetic therapy, transcutaneous electrical stimulation) and exercise therapy.
In addition, the attending physician may prescribe acupuncture. Massage sessions are also effective in treating this pathology.
Therapeutic exercises help strengthen muscles, increase the distance between the vertebrae and eliminate painful manifestations. Specially selected exercises release nerve roots from compression, help normalize blood flow and normalize metabolic processes.
Prevention
To prevent degenerative changes in the spine, it is very important to observe the correct motor regimen every day, alternate physical activities, and practice walking and swimming. In addition, it is important to control your body weight so that the spine does not experience additional stress.
Often, the lumbosacral and cervical spine are affected by degenerative changes. The thoracic region, fixed by the rib cage, suffers from osteochondrosis less often. Pain occurs in the lower back or neck, respectively, in the projection of the spine. At first it may be periodic and simple.
At this stage, a person can help himself. To reduce pain, you need to lie on your back: this is the most comfortable body position, where the intervertebral discs, ligaments and spinal joints are in the most relaxed state. For the lumbar region, this is often a side position with the legs bent. You can take NSAIDs once. It is recommended to use an ointment or cream with an anti-inflammatory effect locally on the painful area.
As the process progresses, the pain becomes more frequent and its intensity increases. It can radiate to the arms or legs. Numbness (impaired sensitivity) and motor deficits (weakness) often appear in the limbs. These symptoms indicate that the spinal roots are involved in the pathological process.
Also, preventive measures for lower back pain include:
- morning exercise every day;
- balanced diet;
- compliance with the drinking regime;
- regular preventive checkups.
