When Back Pain Means More Than a Back Problem
Medical conditions might masquerade as spine pain
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Discomfort in your lower back. Cramps shooting down your leg. That "pins and needles" feeling. When you have these symptoms, you may assume you have an issue with your spinal column.
" The issue with presuming is that we typically see people who have medical concerns that are misinterpreted as only a spine problem, when it could be a medical concern on its own-- or a mix of the 2," says physical medicine/rehab expert Tagreed Khalaf, MD
. For instance, lumbar spinal stenosis is a nerve problem and peripheral arterial disease is connected to blood circulation, however the 2 have lots of signs in typical. Do back stenosis and diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage in the legs and feet. And disk concerns can feel a lot like inflammatory arthritis.
When back pain is most likely spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is among the most common reasons for spine pain unrelated to injury. This narrowing of the space around the spinal cord puts pressure on the nerves. If you have the following symptoms, spinal stenosis might be to blame:
Pain in the lower back.
Constraining in the legs.
A heavy feeling in the legs, which may result in problem walking.
Increased discomfort going downhill.
Symptoms that worsen with activity.
Remedy for the "grocery cart" position-- bending forward like you're leaning on a shopping cart.
Dr. Khalaf keeps in mind how typical "incorrect positives" are. "Around 21% of asymptomatic people over age 60 will reveal indications of back stenosis on an MRI," she states. "And sometimes spinal stenosis and peripheral arterial illness co-exist. That's why you need a physical examination, and potentially other tests, to get a clear medical diagnosis."
When your back pain could be a more major medical issue
There are a couple of ways to discriminate between spine stenosis and something more major:
Pain that becomes worse when going uphill is more typical with peripheral arterial disease, an accumulation of plaque in the capillary causing the your limbs.
Arterial illness clients don't get relief from the "grocery cart" position.
If your signs are even worse in the evening but much better with workout, neuropathy may be to blame.
In more youthful people, early morning stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes and gets worse with stillness may suggest inflammatory arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis.
Other unusual symptoms such as weight-loss and tiredness may be signs of a malignant growth-- really rare, but definitely worth checking out.
" Serious problems such as malignancies or abdominal aortic aneurysms rarely present with spine signs," Dr. Khalaf says, "but in some cases they do. They're severe enough that ruling them out is necessary."
How to discover relief if the pain is spine stenosis
If you do have spine stenosis, there are several treatments:
Try physical treatment. Stretching and strengthening can assist support your back, improve your balance and relieve the pressure on your nerves.
Ask your doctor about medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers may assist. Some clients also find success with anti-seizure drugs such as Neurontin-- also utilized for neuropathy.
Consider steroid injections. Corticosteroids can minimize the swelling and inflammation that trigger signs. They're usually not a very first resort due to the fact that they can damage bones and tissue over time.
Know that surgery is an alternative. When more conservative treatments do not work, specific treatments can minimize symptoms.
What to do if you presume something else
There's only one major suggestion here: See a medical professional, whether it is your primary care physician or an expert. Each condition that mimics back issues comes with its own treatments, however the first step is a precise diagnosis. A nerve test such as electromyography (EMG) can help a doctor spot neuropathy, and a blood-flow test such as the ankle-brachial index (ABI) can distinguish between spinal stenosis and peripheral arterial disease.
" It's so essential to look at all of your symptoms and history and do a comprehensive examination," Dr. Khalaf says. "It's how we can tell the difference between a back problem and a medical condition."