Back pain is one of the most common complaints of patients. Many people have been affected by this problem at some point in their lives. In addition to the physical effects, back pain can also take a toll on mental health. It has been said that you can trigger depression and anxiety due to prolonged back pain. As we age, we try to lead a life that will remain active and pain-free. However, the older we get, the more susceptible we become to back pain most of the time. This article looks at some of the common causes of back pain that may require you to visit a Shrewsbury back pain specialist.
Table of Contents
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is common in people over 50 years of age. It occurs when the spinal canal narrows, causing pressure on the nerves that run through it. This pressure will result in back pain, with or without leg pain. Other symptoms associated with this condition are numbness, weakness, and tingling sensations in the hips and legs.
Spinal stenosis is commonly treated with pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy. In some severe cases where these treatments do not show any improvement, it may be necessary to have surgery done on the spine. The surgical procedure used most often for this condition is called decompressive laminectomy.
Degenerative Disk Disease
Degenerative disk disease is one of the most common causes of back pain. As we age, the discs in our spine start to lose their elasticity and begin to break down because of wear and tear. The problems caused by this are called bulges which push on the nerves in your lower back, causing muscle stiffness, weakness, and pain.
Degenerative disk disease can lead to a herniated disk. This disease is another common cause of back pain, and most people who suffer from it need surgery for relief. The most common type of surgery is called microdiscectomy, which involves removing the small portion of the disk that is pushed into the spinal canal and pressing against the nerve.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Even though you can use medications to ease the pain, surgery may also be necessary to remove it altogether. The procedure usually recommended for osteoarthritis patients is spinal fusion or arthrodesis.
This procedure involves the surgical fusing of two or more vertebrae. As all the elements in the spine are essential, it is vital to make sure that you find out if fusion will affect your overall ability to move around before getting this surgery done.
Herniated Disks
Herniated disks are also commonly known as slipped disks. They happen when the soft center of a disk begins to push through the wall of the disk, causing pain and nerve damage. This condition is most common in people between 30 and 50 years of age.
The main symptom of a herniated disk is severe back pain. It can also cause numbness, tingling sensations in the arms and legs, leg weakness, and bladder problems. If medication does not work, it may be necessary to have surgery on the affected disk. A good surgeon will only remove the small portion of the disk that is swollen or pressing against one of the nerves in your spine.
In summary, back pain can be a challenging condition to live with. Some of the most common causes of back pain are herniated disks, degenerative disk disease, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis. If you suffer from this condition, you must try a pain patch for back or visit a back pain specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
