![]() ![]() ![]() Research suggests the spine is also prone to receiving cancer cells that spread from other parts of the body. Similarly, aortic dissection – the tearing of an inner layer of tissue in the aorta, the main vessel carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body – sometimes causes back pain and can be fatal if not immediately treated. This is a medical emergency because it causes internal bleeding that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Rarely, we discover that a patient with sudden, severe back pain has experienced a ruptured aneurysm, which is a weakening and tearing of part of a blood vessel. In women, uterine fibroids and endometriosis are notorious for causing core pain that can radiate into the back. Kidney and digestive issues, including pancreatitis and gallstones, can cause low-back discomfort that patients might assume is spine pain. Occasionally, our spine team finds that a patient’s back pain is caused by an underlying condition that is not spine related. Rare, non-spine conditions that cause back pain We also check for adult degenerative scoliosis and kyphosis, spine-curving conditions that can result in back pain and weakness in the lower extremities.Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis that causes patients’ spines to become inflexible, resulting in a continual hunched forward position and spine pain.This condition can cause pain in the low back, glutes, and upper legs. Sacroiliitis is an inflammation of the joints that connect your spine and pelvis.Degenerative disc disease, which can cause whole spine pain, and lumbar arthritis, which usually causes low-back pain, commonly develop with age and are considered wear-and-tear conditions.Physical therapy, medication, injectable anesthetics, or a combination of treatments usually can control symptoms. Most patients with these conditions will not require surgery. We often see a range of less serious but still painful spine conditions in seniors. Related reading: Get help for back, neck, and leg pain caused by spinal stenosis Other conditions that cause back pain in older adults This is a medical emergency, and patients usually need surgery immediately to decompress the nerves and reduce permanent damage. If you have leg weakness, incontinence, and numbness together, you might have cauda equina syndrome, a serious illness characterized by spinal cord nerve damage. Numbness or pins and needles in the groin or glutes: This is known as saddle anesthesia and is also a sign of a serious nerve or spine condition. Incontinence: Back pain paired with inability to control the bowels or bladder might be a sign of serious nerve compression or a spine infection, such as discitis or meningitis. However, sudden leg weakness could also indicate a stroke. Sudden weakness in the legs: Limb weakness can be caused by compressed nerves in the spine due to conditions like sciatica or spinal stenosis. Radiating pain: This pain "moves" or shoots to the glutes or legs, which could indicate a nerve compression condition.ģ. Sharp pain rather than a dull ache: This could indicate a torn muscle or ligament, or a problem with an internal organ in the back or side. 5 sensations that might indicate a medical emergencyġ. However, if pain creeps on gradually, appears suddenly, or doesn't go away, you might have a more serious condition. If back pain can be associated with a specific activity, such as lifting or twisting wrong, and the pain goes away within 72 hours after resting and applying ice, it’s usually nothing to worry about. In our 40s and older, work injuries and the beginnings of arthritis and degenerative conditions are more common.īack pain is so common, in fact, that many patients shrug off symptoms that might indicate a medical emergency.Īpproximately 80% of adults will experience back pain in their lives, so it’s important to be able to identify the severity of your symptoms and track how long the pain lasts. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing 2019 Jan-.In our 20s and 30s, “normal” back pain often can be attributed to factors of daily life, such as sitting too long, picking up children, or overdoing it while exercising. Sciatica typically occurs due to a disc herniation at the L4-L5 or L5-S1 levels.Ģ Donnally III CJ, Butler AJ, Varacallo M. Available from: Īnd may compress or inflame a nearby nerve root. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing 2019 Jan. Herniated discs are most common in the lumbar spineġ Dulebohn SC, Ngnitewe Massa R, Mesfin FB. The nucleus pulposus may also leak out in severe cases by tearing the fibrous layers of the annulus. ![]() During disc herniation, the soft inner contents of the disc (nucleus pulposus) push against its outer covering (annulus fibrosus). A disc may herniate gradually as a part of general wear and tear or suddenly due to injury or heavy lifting.
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