back pain

Types of Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most complex and confounding conditions in medicine. There are several types of back pain, typically classified by their cause. These forms of back pain may originate in the back muscles, ligaments, and spinal structures, or even as a result of problems in other parts of the body.

Below, we’ll discuss some of the most prominent types of back pain, along with the causes of each.  

Strains and Sprains

Back Strains

Muscle strains are one of the most common lower back pain causes. A strain is a type of injury that affects muscle or tendon tissue. Tendons attach muscle to bone. 

With a strain, the affected muscle or tendon has either been pulled, torn, or twisted. This injury is usually caused by overuse, such as engaging in strenuous physical activity that your body isn’t accustomed to. For example, you may sustain a back strain if you lift more weight than your body can safely handle. 

Symptoms of muscle strains include muscle weakness, inflammation, cramping, and spasms. You may also experience a reduced range of motion in the back. 

A back strain can result in severe lower back pain. However, the pain will remain localized and won’t radiate down to the legs. This is in contrast to back pain caused by certain spinal conditions, which can cause pain that spreads to the extremities.

Back Sprains

Sprains and strains are commonly mixed up as back pain types. However, while strains involve muscle or tendon tissue, sprains involve injury to a ligament. Ligaments attach bones within a joint and provide stability to that joint. 

With a back sprain, the ligaments in the spine are forced out of their usual position. This is typically caused by a fall, sudden trauma, or forceful twist. 

Symptoms of ligament sprains are similar to muscle strains but take longer to heal. While a mild strain typically heals within three to six weeks, a sprain may take between six to eight weeks (or even several months) to heal. If you don’t allow a back sprain to heal properly, it can give rise to chronic back pain.

Risk Factors For Back Strains and Sprains

Although anyone, at any age, can sustain a back strain or sprain, you may be at a higher risk of developing one of these injuries if you:

• Are engaging in activities that excessively curve the lower back
• Regularly engage in sports involving pulling or pushing, like football or weightlifting
• Have weak abdominal or back muscles
• Have tight hamstrings
• Are overweight or obese

Preventing Back Strains and Sprains

Back strains and sprains can hamper your day-to-day activities and cause significant pain. To reduce your risk of developing these common back injuries, follow these tips:

• Reach and maintain a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. 
• Add exercises for lower back pain to your usual exercise regimen. These exercises focus on strengthening the abdominal muscles so that your spine is effectively supported and stabilized. 
• Add stretches for lower back pain to your daily routine to prevent muscle tension and lost mobility. 
• If you lift weights as part of your exercise regimen, always use proper lifting techniques. Never lift more weight than you can safely handle. 
• Practice proper posture to keep your spine aligned. 
• Quit smoking, which can increase your risk of the degenerative disc disease and chronic back pain. 
• Consider how to sleep for lower back pain. Sleeping on your back is ideal to prevent strain on the spine while sleeping on your stomach can exacerbate back pain. However, placing a pillow under your stomach and pelvis can help align your spine if you’re a stubborn stomach-sleeper.
  • In a similar vein, talk to your doctor about the best mattress for back pain, as they might have suggestions. Generally, memory foam mattresses are considered the best for aligning and supporting the spine. 

Back Pain On The Right vs. Left Sides 

Patients who are only experiencing pain on one side of the back often wonder about the cause of their pain. Both lower left back pain and lower right back pain can be caused by injuries to the muscles or ligaments that uphold the spine. One-sided back pain may also be triggered by spinal injuries and conditions.

However, one-sided back pain can also indicate an issue with the kidney, intestines, or reproductive organs. If this is the case, you’ll likely experience additional symptoms, such as nausea, pain while urinating, and/or fever. 

Stress-Related Back Pain

Stress-related back pain isn’t an official diagnosis. But, there’s no denying that stress can play a significant role in the development of back pain. 

Your body’s natural reaction to concerning, unpleasant, or scary situations is stress. When you feel stressed out, your body releases various chemicals and triggers physical reactions to protect you. These chemicals include cortisol and adrenaline, which tends to cause an involuntary tensing of your muscles. 

This is a primal response that’s largely unhelpful against the stressors that people experience today, such as a deadline at work or a complicated social situation. 

Frequent stress can lead to significant tension in the back. This may lead to chronic lower back pain when left unaddressed. 

A 2021 study published in Scientific Reports confirmed that the severity of stress is directly correlated to chronic lower back pain. Specifically, severe stress was associated with a 2.8-fold increase in the risk of chronic lower back pain. 

Spinal Conditions

Spinal conditions are common types of lower back pain. Many of the most common spinal conditions trigger back pain by exerting pressure on the spinal nerves. This typically leads to what’s known as a pinched nerve. A pinched nerve can cause localized pain, much like a muscle strain, but may also involve other parts of the body. 

Pinched nerves in the lower, or lumbar region of the spine, can cause burning lower back and leg pain. Surprisingly, a pinched nerve in this region can also have far-reaching effects on the bladder, appendix, large intestine, sex organs, knees, and prostate. 

What Are The Most Common Spinal Conditions That Cause Back Pain?

While several different spinal conditions can trigger back pain, the most common include:

• Herniated disc

A herniated disc occurs when the soft interior of an intervertebral disc protrudes through a damaged portion of the disc interior. The injured disc may push on spinal nerves, causing back pain and other symptoms. 

• Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis develops if the space in the spinal canal becomes more limited. This may result from thickening spinal ligaments, a bulging or herniated disc, and osteoarthritis, among other factors. 

• Degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of gradual, age-related spinal disc deterioration. As people grow older, the spinal discs become drier, thinner, and weaker, making them more prone to damage.  

• Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis occurs when spinal instability causes a vertebra to slip out of its normal position onto the vertebra beneath it. This can cause back pain and neurological symptoms. Although there are many possible causes of spondylolisthesis, the most common are degenerative spinal changes and spinal defects. 

• Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is also known as wear and tear arthritis. This condition occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints starts to deteriorate. If osteoarthritis impacts the facet joints in the spine, it can lead to back pain. 

• Scoliosis

When someone has scoliosis, it means that their spine is abnormally curved. This curve may cause back pain in a few different ways. It may cause spinal stenosis, disc degeneration, and facet joint damage. The curved spine can also press on nerves, leading to neurological symptoms. 

What Causes Lower Back Pain From Spinal Conditions?

Several factors can lead to the development of spinal conditions that cause lower back pain. The most prevalent of these factors include age-related spinal degeneration, spinal injuries and disorders, and congenital spinal defects. To understand exactly what’s causing your lower back pain, you’ll need a diagnosis from a qualified physician. 

How Are Spinal Conditions Treated?

Numerous approaches exist for lower back pain relief in patients with spinal disorders. Almost always, physicians will start with a non-surgical treatment plan for six to 12 months before considering surgery. Most patients don’t need surgery to recover from the symptoms of various spinal conditions. 

Non-Surgical Treatments For Spinal Conditions 

Simple rest, lifestyle modifications, medications, and physical therapy are among the beneficial non-invasive approaches to alleviate different types of lower back pain.

Surgical Treatments For Spinal Conditions

When patients continue to experience debilitating back pain after months of non-surgical treatment, surgery may be required. Additionally, spinal specialists may recommend surgery if the patient is experiencing significant disability as a result of their condition. 

Thankfully, even serious spinal conditions can today be effectively treated with advanced microsurgical procedures. Innovative approaches to spinal decompression surgery use endoscopic techniques for smaller incisions, less blood loss, and less tissue damage. 

Advanced, minimally-invasive spinal procedures offer relief from conditions that have condemned previous generations to crippling pain and restricted mobility. 

Spinal Fusion

After spinal decompression, spinal fusion is often performed to stabilize the affected portion of the spine. The fusion process involves positioning bone graft material in between the affected vertebrae. The graft will, in the months following the procedure, permanently join the adjacent vertebrae.  

Though decompression spinal surgery can dramatically alleviate pain and other symptoms of compressed or pinched nerves, spinal fusion eliminates the independent motion of the fused vertebrae. This limits patients’ activities and increases the risk of degeneration in the surrounding vertebrae. 

Today, the limitations of spinal fusion have been surmounted. The TOPS™ System from Premia Spine provides a clinically proven superior alternative to spinal fusion. This non-fusion spinal implant replaces the tissues removed during decompression surgery while preserving the full, independent motion of each vertebra.

If you’re experiencing back pain, don’t hesitate to see a qualified physician. You can achieve relief with the variety of treatment options available today. 

What Is The Treatment For Spinal Bone Spurs?

Tissues throughout the body experience natural changes as we age – including bone tissue. Bone spurs are a possible complication of osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage in the joints deteriorates with age. 

Spinal bone spurs are highly common among older individuals. While they’re not painful on their own, spinal bone spurs can irritate neighboring tissue, leading to a range of symptoms. 

Thankfully, patients now have more treatment options than ever for spinal bone spurs. Continue reading to learn about these treatments and how you can attain relief from spinal bone spur symptoms. 

What Are Spinal Bone Spurs?

A bone spur is a smooth lump of excess bone that develops on the edge of a regular bone, such as the facet joints of the spine. Most commonly, bone spurs occur in individuals over the age of 60. 

What Are The Most Common Spinal Bone Spurs Causes?

As we’ve already mentioned, bone spurs in the spinal column most commonly result from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is widely referred to as wear and tear arthritis, as it leads to the degeneration of joint cartilage over time. When the cartilage breaks down, the increased friction in the joint can lead to bone spur formation. 

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing spinal bone spurs, including:

• Poor posture
• Structural spinal issues
• Sports injuries
• Traumatic accident-related injuries (such as car accident injuries)
• Genetic factors
• Poor nutrition

Bone Spurs and Spinal Stenosis

Spinal bone spurs and spinal stenosis are often closely linked. Bone spurs can cause or contribute to spinal stenosis, which is an unnatural narrowing of the spinal canal. 

Spinal stenosis bone spurs can place pressure on spinal nerves and/or the spinal cord. As a result, patients may experience neurological symptoms including:

• Back pain
• Sciatica (nerve pain that radiates from the lower back through the buttocks and into the legs)
• Weakness, numbness, and/or tingling in the legs and feet (for lumbar spinal stenosis)

How Serious Are Bone Spurs On The Spine?

Bone spurs on the spine are very common and not considered a dangerous condition. However, if the spurs irritate nearby tissues and nerves, they can cause painful symptoms that may worsen with time. Patients experiencing symptoms from spinal bone spurs should receive prompt medical care to prevent worsening pain. 

How To Treat Spinal Bone Spurs

What Is The Best Treatment For Bone Spurs?

Spinal bone spur treatment may be surgical or non-surgical. The majority of patients don’t need surgery to make a full recovery from spinal bone spurs.  

Non-surgical treatment for spinal bone spurs can include:

• Physical therapy

Physical therapy is one of the main non-surgical treatments available for spinal bone spurs. Through exercises, hands-on manipulation, and lifestyle recommendations, your physical therapist can help relieve pressure on the spinal nerves caused by bone spurs. 

• Chiropractic care

Chiropractors specialize in spinal manipulation and other methods of alleviating pain by improving the alignment of the spine. A chiropractor can help you overcome symptoms of a spinal bone spur with a range of non-invasive techniques. 

• Weight loss

Excess weight places added pressure on the spine. So, by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, it’s possible to reduce the stress on irritated spinal nerves. This can promote healing and reduce pain from bone spurs. 

• Pain medications

Over-the-counter pain medications can help patients manage pain and other symptoms of spinal bone spurs. Most often, physicians recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or NSAIDs, such as Advil and Aleve. In more severe cases, physicians may prescribe stronger pain medications or muscle relaxants.  

Exercises for Spinal Bone Spurs

Exercises for spinal bone spurs can help alleviate pain, discomfort, and stiffness. Your physical therapist may recommend specific exercises to help resolve your symptoms, such as:

• Child’s pose

The child’s pose involves kneeling on the floor with the toes together and the knees approximately hip distance apart. Once in this position, slowly bend the torso forward so that it rests between your knees, extending your arms forward with the palms facing down. In this position, more space opens up in the spine, which relieves pressure on the irritated spinal nerves. 

• Lower back twist

To complete a lower back twist, lie flat on your back. Bend your knees with your feet flat on the floor and put your arms out in a T position. Then, move both knees to one side while keeping the shoulders flat on the floor. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then switch sides. 

• Cat/cow

During this exercise, begin on your hands and knees. Both your hands and knees should be hip-width apart. Then, gently round your back, bringing the back of your spine as close to the ceiling as possible, and hold this position for five seconds. Next, gently arch the back, bringing the stomach towards the floor, and hold the position for five seconds.    

Are Bone Spurs On The Spine Common?

Bone spurs are very common among older individuals. Over 40% of people who develop bone spurs with symptoms will require medical treatment. 

Can Bone Spurs Be Treated Without Surgery?

Physicians generally have patients undergo several months of non-invasive treatment before recommending surgery for bone spurs. However, if patients don’t notice a significant improvement in their symptoms after this approach, surgery may be required. 

What Does Spinal Bone Spur Surgery Involve?

Spinal bone spur surgery typically includes spinal decompression. There are multiple approaches to spinal decompression for bone spurs, the most common of which include bone spur removal and laminectomy. 

Bone spur removal involves surgically removing the bone spurs from the vertebrae. This effectively alleviates bone spur symptoms. Unfortunately, bone spurs can return over time, which is why your surgeon may recommend a different treatment route. 

Laminectomy involves removing some of the laminae to create more space for the spinal cord. This form of spinal decompression gives the nerves space to heal and can resolve symptoms of bone spurs. 

Conventionally, spinal fusion is performed with spinal decompression to prevent instability. 

How Successful is Bone Spur Surgery?

The success rate for spinal decompression surgery has been estimated at around 70% to 90%. Bone spur surgery is widely recognized as a safe, effective procedure for patients struggling with bone spur symptoms. 

How Long is Recovery From Bone Spur Surgery?

The recovery from bone spur surgery depends on whether or not spinal fusion is performed. Alone, spinal decompression surgery for bone spurs involves a recovery period of between two and six weeks. You can likely return to light physical activity about three to four weeks after the procedure. 

If spinal fusion is performed along with decompression, the recovery period will be longer. Patients generally need four to six weeks to return to a desk job after fusion, and three months or more to return to physical activity. 

Can You Walk After Bone Spur Surgery?

After spinal decompression surgery, doctors generally recommend that you stand and walk for short periods to promote healing. However, your ability to walk may be limited during your hospital stay after the procedure, which can be four days or more after spinal fusion. 

Regain your mobility with Premia Spine! Contact us now

Medical advancements have led to spinal fusion alternatives that allow you to walk soon after bone spur surgery. One of these innovations is the TOPS System, a spinal implant that can improve outcomes for patients with spinal stenosis bone spurs. 

If you’re suffering from debilitating bone spur symptoms, talk to your doctor about the range of treatment options available today. 

Who Can Get Back Pain?

Back pain is a very common ailment which can sometimes ease by itself within a few weeks, or months. However, back pain may also be related to a number of conditions which may need medical treatment, physical therapy or even surgery. 

Lower back (lumbar) pain is the most common form of back pain but a person can experience pain in any part of the spine, from the neck, down to the hips. Taking painkillers, avoiding overly strenuous activities and keeping mobile can help reduce this pain but in some cases it can last for a long period of time, or regularly return. If this is the case then you should seek a medical consultation. 

Is back pain related to age?

Back pain is not just a symptom of aging. Anyone, of any age, in any physical condition, can and will likely experience back pain at some point in their life. So if you are experiencing back pain, do not think that you’re alone. There are even cases of teenage athletes who have experienced back pain and thus seek the same medical care that you may require. 

However, if the back pain is severe and related to conditions such as stenosis, then this may require an operation. If so, it is important to be aware that major surgery could result in complications and a person who is classed as elderly may be more at risk than someone in their 20s for example. 

What can cause back pain?

While getting older can be a cause of back pain, as your body’s discs, joints, muscles, and ligaments wear down and become more prone to injury, and while many people experience their first back pain episodes while in their 30s and 40s, there are other primary causes of back pain which include:

1. Being overweight – When a person carries extra weight above your ideal body mass index, that can put extra pressure on your spine, muscles, and joints, leading to back pain.
2. A lack of fitness – People who do not exercise on a regular basis, and thus lack good muscle tone and bone strength, often experience more back pain.
3. Heredity – Some causes of back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine, can have a genetic component.
4. Manual jobs – If your job requires you to lift heavy boxes, or push or pull heavy loads, you might experience greater back pain. This is because repetitive and arduous motions can cause muscles and ligament strains.
5. Heavy lifting, or lifting incorrectly  – This could even include grandchildren, for example, who may be growing and getting heavier, yet you still want to lift them. Similarly, a caregiver to an ill relative could experience similar issues, lifting a person could also aggravate a person’s back if they have not been trained to do it, or the person is particularly heavy. 
6. Sitting too much – If you sit at a desk or work-table for too many hours in a row, with poor posture, and without getting up to stretch and walk around on a regular basis then you may also suffer periods of back pain. If this happens frequently, then this could become a more serious, long-term issue.
7. Smoking –  If you are a smoker then your chance of spinal issues increases because your body might not be able to get enough nutrients to the discs in your back. Smoking also slows a person’s regenerative abilities, meaning it may take longer to heal from a damaged, or sore back compared to someone who is a non-smoker. 
8. Osteoarthritis – Arthritis can affect the lower back and cause pain just like it can in the joints, eventually, this could lead to issues such as spinal stenosis. 
9. Tumors – Cancer in the lungs, or breast for example can result in tumors that may grow, forcing organs out of position which may come into contact with nerves in the spine. This can cause significant pain and anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer and is experiencing back pain should seek medical attention urgently. 
10. Spinal Stenosis – This condition involves the narrowing of the spinal canal which can place pressure on the nerves, impacting mobility and causing pain. Stenosis can be treated but if the symptoms do not improve over a lengthy period of time then surgery may be required.
11. Spondylolisthesis – This occurs when one of the vertebrae (bones in the spine) slips out of position and comes into contact with the nerve, like stenosis, this condition may also require surgery if treatment fails.
12. Herniated disc – Similar to spondylolisthesis but this condition is caused by the soft tissue between the vertebrae ( the disc) moving out of place, as opposed to the bone itself. 

Effective treatment for back pain

Below is a list of effective treatments you can do yourself to ease back pain:

• Keep active but don’t overdo it, stick to gentle activities such as walking and avoid contact sports or heavy lifting. 
• Stretches and gentle exercises, such as pilates.
• Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain levels
• Use hot or cold packs to tackle pain in problem areas, a hot bath can also be beneficial. 
• Reduce stress levels to ease muscle tension, simple breathing exercises can help more than you might think.

More advanced treatments which may help include:

• Specialized exercise classes are recommended by your doctor, led by a qualified instructor. This could involve aerobics and various stretching exercises.
• Visit a chiropractor, osteopath, or physiotherapist.
• Seek psychological support if required to find out details about a specialized treatment program. 

Surgery to alleviate back pain

• Lumbar Decompression Surgery (Laminectomy)
• Laminoplasty
• TOPS Spinal System
• Spinal Fusion Surgery

Conclusion

In short, anyone can get back pain at differing levels, in various regions of the spine. 

If you display symptoms of back pain and it is impacting your life then try some of the home-based treatments, or visit your local doctor to see how they can help ease the pain.

Tackling back pain early can help avoid potential surgery and long-term damage. 

Find out more about back-related issues in the other articles published in our blog here.

Lower Back Pain Causes and Treatments

Lower back pain can be extremely debilitating and can prevent you from doing the things you love, as well as potentially impacting your work. Whether you are over the age of 60, or young and athletic, lower back pain is a possibility and could be a result of even the smallest of injuries, or bad habits, as well as a range of other medical reasons. 

Below are a series of frequently asked questions relating to lower back pain which will hopefully give you an understanding of what may cause the problem and how it can be treated effectively. 

What are the main causes of lower back pain?

Lower back pain causes can vary and could stem from a range of things, even something rather innocuous. 

Here is a comprehensive list of the possible causes of lower back pain. 

• Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) – This is a condition which occurs when the intervertebral discs lose water over the years, reducing overall hydration and lessening strength. This prevents the discs from absorbing pressure which can result in the disc moving and disrupting the wall of tissue which could result in a hernia. This can be very painful and could even contribute to stenosis (read below) if left untreated.
• Spinal Stenosis – This is caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal, specifically at the nerve roots, resulting in pain. This narrowing can occur on multiple levels of the spine and can be either foraminal or central or even both. 
• Lumbar Herniated Disc – The Lumbar disc contains a soft center that can sometimes protrude out of the outer layer, coming into contact with the nerve (a hernia). This could cause compression, often resulting in significant pain and inflammation.
• Spondylolisthesis – This is the result of a vertebra moving, or slipping over the one next to it. There are five different forms of this condition, relating to differing forms of damage to the facet joints.
• Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction – Connecting the bottom of the spine, each side of the pelvis, and the sacrum (the shield bone around the pelvis), the sacroiliac joint is primarily used to absorb impact and avoid any tension between the upper and lower halves of the body. When this joint becomes inflamed or stiff, it can become very painful. 
• Facet Joint Dysfunction – Located behind each spinal disc are two facet joints with cartilage in between and capsular ligament around the bone, intertwined with many nerves. When aggravated, these joints can cause great discomfort. 
• Osteoarthritis – Generally a result of aging, this condition is a result of the wearing of the disc and joints, causing inflammation, pain, a lack of stability and could lead to stenosis. This can affect just one, or multiple levels of the spine and will gradually worsen over time if not treated. 
• Traumas – Physical traumas such as a fracture, or a dislocation can result in lower back pain. 
• Compression Fractures – These fractures are not caused by trauma and instead they are caused by progressive weakening of the bones caused by various conditions. Compression fractures are specific to the cylindrical vertebra.
• Curvatures – A curvature of the spine can relate to scoliosis (the spine curves sideways, common in teenagers), or kyphosis (a rounding at the top of the back) and over time this can result in pain in the lower and upper back.  
• Tumors – Tumors that spread to the spine can also cause lower back pain and any cancer patients who notice discomfort in their lower back should consult their doctor immediately. Cancers that could spread to the spine include; prostate, kidney, breast, lung, or thyroid. 
• Autoimmune Disease – Lower back pain can occur because of many conditions relating to autoimmune disease.
• Spinal Infections – Infections of the spine are quite rare but can be agonizing and even life-threatening if it is not treated. Often this sort of infection is a result of surgery or injections.

What could lower right back pain mean?

Pain in the lower right of the back could mean issues with the actual mechanics of your back and abdomen, namely; the spine, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, it could also be related to your organs and be linked to a number of infections, including kidney stones. 

If you notice lower right back pain then you should pay a visit to your local doctor. 

How can I find lower back pain relief?

Staying active can be an effective way of relieving pain in your lower back as it encourages blood flow and can speed up the recovery process. If moving regularly causes discomfort, then painkillers can also be taken after exercising.

Stretching is also another good way of reducing pain levels in the back and many of these can be done at home by following a book, TV, or Youtube. 

Also, consider using hot and cold packs during periods of pain, a hot bath can also offer similar relief. 

Lower back pain treatment – What to avoid

When treating lower back pain, the following is not recommended:

• Acupuncture
• Traction exercises, including the use of weights
• Wearing tight garments such as belts and corsets
• Foot orthotics
• Interferential (electrical current) therapy
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Treatment
• Electrical Nerve Stimulation
• Painkilling injections

What should I avoid if I have pain in the lower back?

If you have pain in your lower back then you should pay particular attention to your posture and general movement. Try not to slouch, or hunch over, avoid bending over repetitively and make an attempt to move as much as possible, including leisurely walks and gentle exercises.

What if my lower back pain treatment doesn’t work?

If you find that none of the recommended treatments, exercises, or physical therapy are working then you should arrange a consultation with your doctor and discuss the possibility of surgery. This could be Spinal Fusion Surgery or the implementation of a mechanical implant device such as the TOPS System. 

Read more about the TOPS System here which has a better chance of preserving motion and maintaining stability when compared to spinal fusion surgery. 

What is Lumbar Radicular Pain and How to Treat it?

Lumbar radicular pain is caused by the compression of nerve roots in your spine. The disease associated with it is known as lumbar radiculopathy. 

The symptoms of this disease can manifest themselves in many different ways. Pain, weakness, and numbness of the buttock or leg are the most common signs of lumbar radiculopathy developing. 

Another word for this disease is Sciatica. The leg-related pain caused by this disease is directly related to the compression of the nerve roots in your spine. This is different from other types of spinal compression, which cause pain in the lumbar spine, also called referred pain. 

Causes of Lumbar Radicular Pain

There are a number of different conditions that can lead to lumbar radiculopathy. The sole requirement for this disease to develop in your spine is the irritation or compression of the spinal nerve roots. 

As a result, there are many alternative conditions that can cause it:

• Lumbar disc herniation. 
• Osteophyte formation. 
• Spinal stenosis. 
• Foraminal stenosis. 
• Spondylolisthesis. 
• More degenerative disorders.  

Due to the probability of lumbar radicular pain being the result of multiple spinal issues, it can be extremely painful and difficult to treat. 

The implants that Premia Spine offers its patients are designed to make the surgery you undergo easier and less painful. 

It’s our goal to assist in helping you get back to your best as soon as possible, with as little pain as possible. 

Before you diagnose yourself with any lumbar condition, whether it’s radiculopathy or something else, you need to see a spinal doctor for a professional diagnosis. 

Your doctor can give you a full physical exam, as well as look for any issues you have related to the balance or movement of your spine. 

Your doctor is going to check for things like the loss of your extremity reflexes, and issues with your senses, weakness of the muscles, or any unusual reflexes which may indicate that your spinal cord is involved. 

After this physical exam, if your doctor suspects you might have a lumbar radicular issue, you’re going to need to get an X-ray and an MRI. 

These two are the most commonly used methods of image testing to evaluate whether or not you have lumbar radiculopathy. However, a CT myelogram can be utilized instead of an MRI is not possible due to a pacemaker or something similar. 

How to Treat Lumbar Radicular Pain

There are a number of different surgical treatments that can be used for lumbar radiculopathy, depending on what alternative spinal condition was the cause of it. 

Typically speaking, all of these surgeries involve decompressing the nerve in some way or stabilizing the spine. 

It’s crucial that you speak to your spinal doctor and seek treatment for spinal radiculopathy as soon as possible. 

Not only can the condition be exceedingly painful, but the longer you leave it untreated, the higher the risk that your symptoms can develop into permanent conditions. 

In more extreme cases where a person left their lumbar radiculopathy untreated for an extensive period of time, there is a heightened risk of paralysis developing. 

With a combination of treatment and the possibility of surgery, symptoms can improve within six weeks to three months. 

Radicular Pain Symptoms

Due to the nature of the compressed nerve, radicular pain symptoms primarily revolve around the foot and leg. 

There are a number of different potential symptoms that a person may experience, including: 

• A shooting or burning pain in the thigh, calve, or foot. 
• A numbness of leg muscles. 
• Leg-related weakness. 
• Leg-related reflex loss. 

There are several other symptoms that you may experience, but these are by far the most common indicators of a developing radicular problem. 

How Prima Spine Helps Ease Lumbar Radicular Pain

Our TOPS system is a spinal alternative to fusion that not only makes surgery and day-to-day life less painful, but it ensures that you maintain a full range of motion after you’ve healed from the surgery. 

In extreme cases of lumbar radicular pain, it may be necessary for you to undergo surgery. 

This is particularly common in cases where the pain is left untreated and develops into a much bigger and more painful operation. 

In the event of this happening, our specialists are here to help. If you have any questions about the TOPS system, lumbar radicular pain, or anything else related to the health of your spine, our agents are here to chat. 

You can get in touch with us through our website. From there, we can advise you on what measures you should take to help treat your back pain, as well as whether or not you should consider the TOPS system as a surgical solution. 

Lumbar Radicular Pain FAQs

How Can I Sleep with Lumbar Radicular Pain?

A common issue that a lot of people suffering from lumbar radicular pain have is managing to fall asleep at night. The ache and pain of the condition can result in tossing and turning, ultimately leading you to a sleepless night. 

Many people that suffer from conditions like spinal stenosis find that the most comfortable position to ease back pain while sleeping is on their side in the fetal position. 

The fetal position is when you curl your knees up towards your abdomen while lying on your side. 

Alternatively, you could try ensuring that your head and knees are elevated in some capacity while you sleep, either through the use of pillows, your position or by using an adjustable bed or recliner. 

Do I Have to Get Surgery if I have Lumbar Radiculopathy?

It is not always necessary to undergo surgery for lumbar radiculopathy. It’s only in cases where the condition is extreme or has been fully left untreated that you are going to need a more extensive operation. 

Whether or not you need surgery is also related to the lumbar issue that caused your radiculopathy in the first place. 

Before deciding on how you want to treat your pain, always seek the professional opinion of your doctor. Get an X-ray, MRI, and a full physical done, and allow them to deduce what your best course of action is. 

In the event that the lumbar Radicular pain isn’t being caused by any significant issue, it’s possible to treat it with specific exercises and physical therapy that has been designed to specifically stabilize the spine 

These exercises help your spine to promote more open space so that the compressed spinal nerve roots have more room. 

As well as physical therapy, you can complement your treatment through the use of medications. 

Always take medications on the advice of your doctor, and make sure that they give you a prescription for anything you’re taking while treating lumbar radiculopathy. 

Typical medications that you are going to be prescribed while treating lumbar radiculopathy are the likes of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 

These drugs are designed to reduce the swelling that may be causing the nerve compression and can also help relieve the pain while you work towards a more permanent solution to the issue. 

If you do try to treat your lumbar radiculopathy manually and without therapy, it can take six to 12 weeks of constant treatment for you to see results. 

However, this route helps you to avoid what could be a difficult and expensive surgery.