Spine problems
Spine Problems: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
The lumbar and cervical regions of the spine are particularly susceptible to strain due to their essential role in supporting body weight and facilitating movements such as twisting, bending, and lifting. Lumbar muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers in this area are overstretched or torn, while a lumbar sprain results from the excessive stretching of ligaments, which are the strong connective tissues that hold bones together. Both conditions can arise from sudden injuries, such as a fall or awkward movement, or from prolonged overuse and repetitive stress on the spine
When the lumbar spine is strained or sprained, the soft tissues around the affected area become inflamed. This inflammation typically leads to pain, which can sometimes trigger muscle spasms, further contributing to discomfort. Although a lumbar strain or sprain can cause significant pain and limit mobility, these injuries rarely require neurosurgical intervention. Most cases can be effectively managed with conservative treatments, such as rest, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medications.
In contrast, more serious spinal issues may arise that warrant surgical consideration. These are generally associated with pain that radiates from the spine into other parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, or around the rib cage. When pain travels from the back to the chest or extremities, it may indicate nerve involvement or other structural issues in the spine that require a more in-depth evaluation and potentially surgical treatment.
Three types of muscles support the spine
- Extensor muscles : These include the back muscles and gluteal muscles, which are responsible for straightening and extending the spine, as well as helping with activities such as standing and lifting.
- Flexor muscles : The abdominal muscles and iliopsoas muscles fall into this category. These muscles allow for forward bending and support the spine’s stability during activities like sitting or lifting objects.
- Oblique or rotator muscles : These are located on the sides of the body and are involved in twisting and rotating movements of the spine.
Disk Prolapse
Intervertebral disc prolapses most commonly occur in the lumbar spine (lower back) and cervical spine (neck). Less commonly, they occur in the thoracic spine (mid-back region).
A PROLAPSED DISC CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS IN TWO WAYS:
- Direct pressure. The disc material that has ruptured into the spinal canal or intervertebral foramen can put pressure on the nerves (or spinal cord).
- Chemical irritation. Once ruptured, the core material of the disc can cause a chemical irritation of the nerve roots and result in inflammation of the nerves.
THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF A PROLAPSED DISC INCLUDE:
- In severe cases, loss of control of bladder and/or bowels, numbness in the genital area, and impotence (in men)
- Numbness, pins and needles, or tingling in one or both arms or legs
- Pain behind the shoulder blade(s) or in the buttock(s)
- Pain running down one or both arms or legs
- The location of these symptoms depends upon which nerve(s) has been affected. In other words, the precise location of the
- symptoms helps determine your diagnosis.
- Weakness involving one or both arms or legs
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
The lumbar spine (lower back) consists of five vertebrae in the lower part of the spine, between the ribs and the pelvis. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, compressing the nerves traveling through the lower back into the legs. While it may affect younger patients, due to developmental causes, it is more often a degenerative condition that affects people who are typically age 60 and older.
Narrowing of the spinal canal usually occurs slowly, over many years or decades. The disks become less spongy with aging, resulting in loss of disk height, and may cause bulging of the hardened disk into the spinal canal. Bone spurs may also occur and ligaments may thicken. All of these can contribute to narrowing of the central canal and may or may not produce symptoms. Symptoms may be due to inflammation, compression of the nerve(s) or both.
Such symptoms may include:
- Pain, weakness or numbness in the legs, calves or buttocks
- Cramping in the calves with walking, requiring frequent short rests to walk a distance
- Pain radiating into one or both thighs and legs, similar to the lay term “sciatica”
- In rare cases, loss of motor functioning of the legs, loss of normal bowel or bladder function
- Pain may improve with bending forward, sitting or lying down