Causes and Diagnosing Back Pain
If pain last for more than 72 hours it’s time to visit your doctor
Jan 15, 2008
Recurring back pain resulting from improper body mechanics or other nontraumatic causes is often preventable. When back pain strikes chances are you’re headed for the sideline of life at least for a couple of days. Depending on the cause and the severity of the injury you could be back in action with little time lost.
However you should see a physician immediately if back pain persists for more than 72 hours, is severe or is accompanied by numbness or pain in the leg(s). These conditions could be caused by something more serious and require more than a few days rest and an ice pack. Here’s a list of some of the spine tingling (no pun intended) pain producing conditions.
Bulging disc is characterized by cartilage which can bulge or be pushed into the space containing the spinal cord or a nerve root, causing pain. Most bulging discs occur in the lumbar region of the back.
Sciatica is a condition in which a herniated or ruptured disc presses on the sciatic nerve; this nerve carries nerve fibers to the leg. Other causes could be tumors, cysts, metastatic disease, or degeneration of the sciatic nerve root.
Spinal degeneration from disc wear and tear can lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal. Stiffness and pain may accompany this condition.
Spinal stenosis is related to congenital narrowing of the bony canal.
Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease marked by progressive decrease in bone density and strength.
Skeletal irregularities produce strain on the vertebrae and supporting muscles, tendons, ligaments, and tissues supported by the spinal column.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple “tender points,” particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips.
Spondylitis refers to chronic back pain and stiffness caused by a severe infection to or inflammation of the spinal joints.
Detecting the cause of your pain may require one or more of the following methods:
X-rays to observe the bony structure and vertebrates
Discography involves the injection of a special contrast dye into the disc suspected of causing the discomfort and x-raying.
Myelograms, this procedure involves a contrast dye being injected into the spinal canal, taking an x-ray and reading the result.
Computerized tomography utilizes x-rays and computers to generate images of the back structure.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizes magnetic energy, radio waves and computers to generate images for viewing the suspected structures.
Electro diagnostic procedures such as electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, and evoked potential (EP) studies, involve mildly stimulating either nerve or muscle tissues and observing response time to determine if there is damage.
Bone scans use scanners and computers to identify specific areas of irregular bone metabolism or abnormal blood flow, as well as to measure levels of joint disease.
Thermography involves the use of infrared sensing devices to measure small temperature changes within the body; it may also be used to detect the presence or absence of nerve root compression.
Ultrasound imaging uses sound wave to acquire images of various parts of the body. Ultrasound imaging can show tears in ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue masses in the back.
Most low back pain does not require surgery, thank goodness, but you do need to take the initiative to put yourself among the minority of those people who walk away unscathed by back pain.
“In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson-
Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
