Lower back pain is a common reason for a visit to the doctor. The cause of complaints in this area can be a number of diseases.
What is ankylosing spondylitis, what is evidenced by severe pain in the sacrum area radiating to the leg, what studies are carried out during the diagnosis, what causes pain in the lower shoulder blades and what treatment methods are most effective - in the material.
Lower back pain
Sudden acute pain in the lower back is quite common. This symptom, characteristic of many pathological conditions, is not always caused by diseases of the spine. The manifestations and causes of pain can be different.
Types of pain
Based on the type of pain that occurs in the lumbar region, the main cause of the discomfort can be determined.
Strong
Starting in the sacrum area, the severe pain is localized in the hip joint. The pain radiates down the leg and can be felt in the foot. Similar symptoms are observed in osteochondrosis with the threat of numbness in the limbs.
The mechanism of pain development is compression of the sciatic nerve. The pain increases when you walk quickly, bend over or cough. Prolonged compression of the gluteal muscle leads to its atrophy.
Acute
Acute pain occurs suddenly. They are unbearable and very intense and are often referred to as "lumbago". Depending on the cause, the pain can be triggered by physical activity. Accompanied by stiffness in movement (sometimes it is even impossible to sit up). The slightest movement increases the symptoms. Acute paincan last up to six weeks.
Drawing and pain
Nagging and aching pain in the lumbar region usually arises from conditions such as hernias, bulges and inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
Chronic
The cause of constant pain in the lower back can be hernias or protrusions, accompanied by degenerative changes in the spine. The intensity of such manifestations increases with physical activity and is a consequence of physical inactivity.
Touched
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.
Mechanically
Mechanical pain occurs during or immediately after physical activity.
Irradiate
Such pain is dull and aching. Painful sensations can also radiate into the leg (up to the foot).
Local
They are characterized by the appearance of unpleasant sensations in a certain area of the lower back.
Reflects
Referred pain is pain that is felt in a different location than the actual pain.
Radicular
Radicular syndrome is a neuralgic manifestation that can be accompanied by numbness and a feeling of loss of sensitivity.
Myofascial
Such pain is accompanied by muscle spasms and increases when the muscle is touched.
causes
The causes of lower back pain are very diverse and can be associated with pathological conditions both in the spine itself and in the tissues surrounding it.
Experts have identified the main pathologies that cause lower back pain.
Ankylosing spondylitis
This is a systemic disease that is associated with inflammation of the connective tissue of the spine. With spondylitis, the vertebrae fuse together, limiting their motor activity and leading to the formation of ankylosis (immobility of the joint). As the paravertebral ligaments ossify, the spine gradually becomes a solid, inflexible bone.
The pathological condition is characterized by increasing symptoms:
- Initially, pain occurs in the lumbar region, which gradually spreads to new areas.
- Negative symptoms occasionally bother you, but over time they develop into permanent symptoms.
- The stiffness of movements increases.
The expressiveness of the characters is observed at night. In the morning the pain becomes unbearable.
Osteochondrosis
Growth, destruction, bulging of cartilage tissue caused by a violation of their nutrition. This disease causes destructive changes in the intervertebral discs and provokes the development of arthrosis of the spinal joints.
Against this background, dorsalgia (back pain) develops with characteristic shooting symptoms in the lumbar area that radiate to the buttocks and legs. Weakness and numbness occur in the lower extremities. The nerve endings of the roots are pinched, causing a burning and tingling sensation.
hernia
An intervertebral hernia is a complication of osteochondrosis. It is characterized by the protrusion of intervertebral disc fragments and their prolapse into the spinal canals.
In the initial stages there are no symptoms, but lack of treatment leads to an increase in pain and limitation of mobility of the lumbar region. Acute pain sensations are observed, which increase against the background of exertion and 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 spine. In the early stages of spinal curvature there are no negative symptoms. But over time, muscle fatigue occurs, which manifests itself periodically, but develops into constant discomfort. The pain is painful in nature and increases with physical activity.
Spondyloarthrosis
With this pathology, the 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, which increases during physical activity and decreases at rest. Muscle tension is observed, which leads to a decrease in motor activity.
head Start
Prerequisites for the formation of protrusions are spinal injuries, exceeding permissible physical activity and muscle weakness due to physical inactivity. In this case, a herniated disc occurs, accompanied by tension in the lower back and painful discomfort.
arthritis
In rare cases, the cause of painful symptoms in the lumbar joints is inflammation of the lumbar region. In the chronic course of the disease, the patient suffers from "lumbago", which is often caused by hypothermia and overload.
Osteomyelitis
With osteomyelitis, an inflammatory process of bone tissue is observed. The acute phase of the disease is characterized by severe attacks of pain. Lack of therapy leads to the disease becoming chronic, but the pain syndrome persists.
Pancreatitis
Lower back pain is a sign of inflammation of the pancreas. The disease presents with stabbing, cutting and pulling sensations of a paroxysmal nature.
Spinal stenosis
The pathological condition is caused by complications of hernias and protrusions. Compression of the nerve roots causes discomfort when walking and at rest and increases when bending the back.
Facet syndrome
Destructive changes in the intervertebral discs lead to degeneration of the facet joints (which connect the vertebrae from behind). This condition is accompanied by increased load on muscles and bones and provokes an inflammatory process with the subsequent development of spondyloarthrosis and degenerative changes.
In the area of the affected joint, pain is felt in the form of cramps when bending and turning the lower back. One of the symptoms is stiffness in movement in the morning and increasing discomfort in the evening.
Localization
To determine the cause of pain in the lumbar region, you must first determine the location of the discomfort. To make an accurate diagnosis, you must contact a specialist.
Pain below the waist
The cause of pain in the lower back area is usually pathological diseases of the spine or internal organs. The resulting complaints may indicate the development of:
- Osteoporosis;
- osteochondrosis;
- urolithiasis;
- inflammatory process in the ureter;
- cholecystitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- Gastritis;
- Problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
In such cases, pain most often occurs after lifting heavy objects or walking quickly. Painful sensations below the lower back often occur after serious injuries or infectious diseases. They also occur during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Pain above the lower back but below the shoulder blades
Pain between the lower back and shoulder blades can be caused by the following conditions:
- Pathologies of the spine in the lumbar and thoracic regions or previous injuries to these areas;
- Osteoporosis;
- muscle spasms or tension;
- Pancreatitis.
Similar manifestations can occur against the background of the development of neoplasms of different etiology.
Left lower back pain
Painful sensations in the lower back, radiating to the left shoulder blade and covering the left side of the neck, are often the result of myocardial infarction.
Cutting pain in this area indicates the likelihood of a perforated ulcer.
Such symptoms may also indicate the presence of diseases and pathological conditions such as radiculitis, osteochondrosis and poor posture. In such cases, aching pains are felt, which occur against the background of physical inactivity or exceeding permissible loads.
Pain in the right lower back
Suspicion of pathology of the kidneys or urogenital organs arises when a dull pain appears on the right. Inflammation can have an infectious cause or be a result of hypothermia.
Sharp, sudden pain on the right side indicates the likelihood of a perforated ulcer, ruptured appendicitis, or internal bleeding. Right side pain often indicates muscle strain and radiculopathy.
Lower back pain when coughing
Possible causes of back pain when coughing:
- osteochondrosis;
- Hernia;
- nerve root stenosis, which causes weakness and difficulty walking;
- facet arthropathy, which causes muscle strain;
- injured annulus fibrosus;
- pathological condition of the kidneys.
Against the background of neuralgia, painful sensations when coughing are often observed.
Back pain can occur for physiological reasons. These include:
- overweight,
- passive lifestyle,
- excessive physical activity.
diagnosis
To determine the cause of pain in the lumbar region, a comprehensive diagnostic examination is required. It includes laboratory tests and instrumental procedures.
The most important:
- blood test (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).
In addition, it is necessary to seek advice from a neurologist and chiropractor. An accurate diagnosis is made by a specialist who, based on the results of the examination, decides how to treat lower back pain.
Treatment
The main methods of treating back pain:
- medical;
- Physical therapy;
- surgical intervention.
Diseases accompanied by lower back pain can pose a serious threat to human health (up to and including death). Without resorting to self-medication, you need to consult a therapist, neurologist or neurologist. To determine the cause of pain, consultation with a urologist and gynecologist is often required.
Surgical
Surgical intervention is only relevant as an emergency measure for oncology. Specialists carry out planned operations only when there is no positive dynamics in the therapeutic treatment of protrusions, hernias and fractures.
Medication
The first step to pain relief is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are used in various forms – tablets, injections, rectal suppositories, patches, ointments or gels.
Depending on the confirmed diagnosis and the severity of the symptoms, glucocorticosteroids are also used - hormonal drugs that relieve pain and inflammation. Muscle relaxants are prescribed for muscle cramps.
B vitamins are suitable as auxiliary therapy to improve nerve conduction. Drug therapy should always be accompanied by non-drug treatment methods: physiotherapy, physical therapy, massage (only outside of the exacerbation). Depending on the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the measures taken, the severity of the symptoms and on the basis of the examination, the patient may be recommended surgical treatment – removal of an inguinal hernia, elimination of compression of the spinal cord root.
Treatment depends on the cause of the lower back pain. Pathologies of internal organs must be eliminated by specialized specialists; Inflammatory lesions of the skeletal system and systemic inflammation may require antibiotic therapy.
rehabilitation
When the patient's condition improves and the acute symptoms of the disease are eliminated, doctors can prescribe physiotherapy sessions (electrophoresis, laser therapy, ultrasound, magnetic therapy, transcutaneous electrical stimulation) and exercise therapy.
In addition, the treating doctor may prescribe acupuncture. Massage sessions are also effective in the treatment of this pathology.
Therapeutic exercises help to strengthen muscles, increase the distance between the vertebrae and eliminate painful phenomena. Specially selected exercises relieve compression of the nerve roots, contribute to the normalization of blood circulation and the normalization of metabolic processes.
prevention
To prevent degenerative changes in the spine, it is very important to follow the correct motor program every day, alternate physical activities, and practice walking and swimming. In addition, it is important to control body weight so that there is no additional strain on the spine.
The lumbosacral and cervical spine are most commonly affected by degenerative changes. The chest area, which is fixed by the rib cage, is less likely to suffer from osteochondrosis. Pain occurs in the lower back or neck in the projection of the spine. At first it can be periodic and moderate in nature.
At this stage, a person is able to help themselves. To relieve pain, you need to lie on your back: this is the most comfortable posture in which the discs, ligaments and joints of the spine are in the most relaxed state. In the lumbar area it is usually a case of lying on your side with your legs bent. You can take NSAIDs once. It is advisable to apply an ointment or cream with an anti-inflammatory effect locally to the painful area.
As the process progresses, the pain becomes more frequent and its intensity increases. It may radiate to the arm or leg. Numbness (sensory impairment) and motor deficits (weakness) often occur in the limbs. These symptoms indicate that the spinal roots are involved in the pathological process.
Additionally, preventative measures for lower back pain include:
- daily morning exercises;
- balanced nutrition;
- compliance with the drinking regime;
- regular check-ups.
