Back pain overview: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
The spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and all are capable of producing pain. Large nerves that originate in the spine and go to the legs and arms can make pain radiate to the extremities. | The spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and all are capable of producing pain. Large nerves that originate in the spine and go to the legs and arms can make pain radiate to the extremities. | ||
==Causes== | |||
Muscle strains (pulled muscles) are commonly identified as the cause of back pain, as are muscle imbalances. Pain from such an injury often remains as long as the muscle imbalances persist. The muscle imbalances cause a mechanical problem with the skeleton, building up pressure at points along the spine, which causes the pain. [[Ligament]] strain is a very common cause of back pain as well [http://wehelpwhathurts.homestead.com/ligamentpain.html].Another cause of acute low back pain is a Meniscoid Occlusion. The more mobile regions of the spine have invaginations of the synovial membrane that act as a cushion to help the bones move over each other smoothly. The synovial membrane is well supplied with blood and nerves. When it becomes pinched or trapped it can cause sudden severe pain. The pinching causes the membrane to become inflamed, causing greater pressure and ongoing pain. Symptoms include severe low back pain that may be accompanied by muscle spasm, pain with walking, concentration of pain to one side, and no [[radiculopathy]] (radiating pain down buttock and leg). Relief should be felt with flexion (bending forward),and exacerbated with extension (bending backward). Transient back pain is likely one of the first symptoms of [[influenza]]. | |||
When back pain lasts more than three months, or if there is more radicular pain ([[sciatica]]) than back pain, a more specific [[diagnosis]] can usually be made. There are several common causes of back pain: for adults under age 50, these include [[ligament]] strain, nerve root irritation, [[spinal disc herniation]] and [[degenerative disc disease]] or isthmic spondylolisthesis; in adults over age 50, common causes also include [[Osteoarthritis|osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease)]] and [[spinal stenosis]] [http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/tlbp/type01.html],trauma, cancer, infection, fractures, and inflammatory disease [http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/backpain.htm]. Non-anatomical factors can also contribute to or cause back pain, such as [[Stress (medicine)|stress]], repressed anger,[http://www.prevention.com/article/0,5778,s1-1-77-24-928-1,00.html] or [[depression (mood)|depression]]. Even if there is an anatomical cause for the pain, if depression is present it should also be treated concurrently. | |||
New attention has been focused on ''non-discogenic back pain'', where patients have normal or near-normal MRI and CT scans. One of the newer investigations looks into the role of the [[dorsal ramus]] in patient's pain that have normal radiographic evidence. See [[Posterior Rami Syndrome]]. [[Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasonography]] has been shown to be helpful in objectifying multifidus atropy. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 20:39, 29 November 2012
|
Back pain Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Lecture |
|
Case Studies |
|
Back pain overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Back pain overview |
Overview
Back pain (also known "dorsalgia") is pain felt in the back that may originate from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.
The pain may be have a sudden onset or it can be a chronic pain, it can be felt constantly or intermittently, stay in one place or refer or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. The pain may be felt in the neck (and might radiate into the arm and hand), in the upper back, or in the low back, (and might radiate into the leg or foot), and may include symptoms other than pain, such as weakness, numbness or tingling.
Back pain is one of humanity's most frequent complaints. In the U.S., acute low back pain (also called lumbago) is the fifth most common reason for all physician visits. About nine out of ten adults experience back pain at some point in their life, and five out of ten working adults have back pain every year.[1]
The spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and all are capable of producing pain. Large nerves that originate in the spine and go to the legs and arms can make pain radiate to the extremities.
Causes
Muscle strains (pulled muscles) are commonly identified as the cause of back pain, as are muscle imbalances. Pain from such an injury often remains as long as the muscle imbalances persist. The muscle imbalances cause a mechanical problem with the skeleton, building up pressure at points along the spine, which causes the pain. Ligament strain is a very common cause of back pain as well [1].Another cause of acute low back pain is a Meniscoid Occlusion. The more mobile regions of the spine have invaginations of the synovial membrane that act as a cushion to help the bones move over each other smoothly. The synovial membrane is well supplied with blood and nerves. When it becomes pinched or trapped it can cause sudden severe pain. The pinching causes the membrane to become inflamed, causing greater pressure and ongoing pain. Symptoms include severe low back pain that may be accompanied by muscle spasm, pain with walking, concentration of pain to one side, and no radiculopathy (radiating pain down buttock and leg). Relief should be felt with flexion (bending forward),and exacerbated with extension (bending backward). Transient back pain is likely one of the first symptoms of influenza.
When back pain lasts more than three months, or if there is more radicular pain (sciatica) than back pain, a more specific diagnosis can usually be made. There are several common causes of back pain: for adults under age 50, these include ligament strain, nerve root irritation, spinal disc herniation and degenerative disc disease or isthmic spondylolisthesis; in adults over age 50, common causes also include osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and spinal stenosis [2],trauma, cancer, infection, fractures, and inflammatory disease [3]. Non-anatomical factors can also contribute to or cause back pain, such as stress, repressed anger,[4] or depression. Even if there is an anatomical cause for the pain, if depression is present it should also be treated concurrently.
New attention has been focused on non-discogenic back pain, where patients have normal or near-normal MRI and CT scans. One of the newer investigations looks into the role of the dorsal ramus in patient's pain that have normal radiographic evidence. See Posterior Rami Syndrome. Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasonography has been shown to be helpful in objectifying multifidus atropy.
References
- ↑ A.T. Patel, A.A. Ogle. "Diagnosis and Management of Acute Low Back Pain". American Academy of Family Physicians. Retrieved March 12, 2007.