| What is low back pain, and what causes it?
The lower back is an elegant construction of bone, muscle, and ligament. Because the lower back is the hinge between the upper and lower body, it is especially vulnerable to injury when you are lifting, reaching, or twisting. When low back pain strikes, we become acutely aware of just how much we rely on a flexible, strong back. Ironically, most of us don't think of the importance of keeping our back and stomach muscles strong until we have back trouble.
See an illustration of the lower back (lumbosacral region of the spine).
Up to 85% of all people have low back pain at one time or another. Each year, about 2% of American workers are compensated for disability caused by back pain. 1 Low back pain is often triggered by some combination of overuse, muscle strain, or injury to the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Less commonly, low back pain is caused by illness or spinal deformity.
Back pain can be: accuthe immune deficiency syndrome
· Acute, lasting less than 3 months. Most people gain relief after 4 to 6 weeks of home treatment.
· Recurrent, a repeat episode of acute symptoms. Most people have at least one episode of recurrent low back pain.
· Chronic, lasting longer than 3 months.
What are the symptoms of low back pain?
The term "low back pain" is used to describe a spectrum of symptoms. Depending on the cause, low back pain may be dull, burning, or sharp, covering a broad area or confined to a single point. It can come on gradually or suddenly and may or may not be accompanied by muscle spasms or stiffness.
Leg symptoms can be caused by lower spine problems that place pressure on a nerve to the leg; they can occur on their own or along with low back pain. Leg symptoms can include pain, numbness, or tingling, usually below the knee.
Weakness in both legs, along with loss of bladder and/or bowel control, are symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, which requires immediate medical attention.
What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal that occurs when excessive growth of bone and/or tissue reduces the size of the openings in the spinal bones. This narrowing can squeeze and irritate the nerve roots that branch out from the spinal cord, or it can squeeze and irritate the spinal cord itself. This may cause pain, numbness, or weakness, most often in the legs, feet, and buttocks. Severe disability is not common.
Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back (lumbar) area. When it does occur in the neck (cervical) area, the spinal cord may become squeezed, which if untreated can lead to nerve damage and paralysis. This topic is about lumbar spinal stenosis. If you need information on spinal stenosis of the neck, see the topic Cervical Spinal Stenosis.
What causes spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by age-related changes in the shape of the spinal canal. The aging process can cause thickening and hardening of connective tissues (ligaments). Joint disease (osteoarthritis) may destroy the tissue that protects and cushions joints (cartilage). These conditions contribute to deterioration of spinal discs, the development of bony growths (spurs), and damage to spinal joints, which in turn may narrow the space in the spinal canal (spinal stenosis).
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?
Many people over 50 years of age have some narrowing of the spinal canal but do not experience symptoms. If your nerve roots or spinal cord becomes squeezed, symptoms may include:
· Numbness, weakness, cramping, or pain in the legs, feet, or buttocks. Leg discomfort usually is worse when walking or standing, and is relieved by sitting.
· Stiffness in legs and thighs.
· Low back pain.
· In severe cases, loss of bladder and bowel control.
Symptoms may be severe at times, and less severe at other times. Spinal stenosis in the lower (lumbar) back does not usually lead to severe disability.
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