Five of the Most Common Causes of Back Pain

spinal stenosis

Back pain is a symptom of several conditions, and most people experience it at some point in life. In some cases, back pain occurs due to injury, but it can also be a result of age-related degeneration or disease. Below is a look at five of the most common causes of back pain.

Arthritis

Approximately one in six adults suffers from spinal arthritis, which is most often caused by the breakdown of cartilage on facet joints, which then become inflamed and cause friction-related pain that may be severe. Many cases of arthritic back pain are related to osteoarthritis brought on by long-term wear, but some patients have back pain due to rheumatoid arthritis. Whereas osteoarthritis most commonly affects the lumbar region, rheumatoid arthritis tends to cause pain in the upper back and neck.

Osteoporosis

When bones become fragile due to osteoporosis, the vertebrae become vulnerable to breakage. While spinal fractures most commonly affect elderly individuals, younger people can also suffer spinal damage due to osteoporosis. In most causes of osteoporosis-related back pain, everyday spinal pressure is the culprit. Mild falls or incorrect lifting posture are often to blame, but severe osteoporosis can put patients at risk for spinal fracture from even coughing or sneezing.

Scoliosis

The spinal curvature seen in scoliosis often affects people from birth, but it can also arise in adulthood due to osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease, compression fractures and spinal stenosis. Occasionally, adult scoliosis occurs for no apparent reason. Pain can emerge after years of asymmetrical loading of vertebrae, which results in uneven wear. The affected area, most often the lower or middle back, usually becomes painful only after major degeneration has taken place. Adults with scoliotic back pain have often had scoliosis since childhood but only developed symptoms after years of wear and tear.

Spinal Stenosis

In spinal stenosis, pain and other neurological symptoms develop after the spinal canal narrows. Most commonly affecting the lower back, spinal stenosis can arise from arthritis, spinal tumors, heredity and trauma. Everyday activities, such as walking, can become severely painful as the condition progresses. In addition to pain, sufferers may experience clumsiness, problems walking and neuropathies, such as cold feelings, tingling and numbness.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Most people over age 60 have some level of disc degeneration, but some suffer from severe degeneration that causes pain in a few ways. Degenerative disc disease can result in osteoarthritis over time due to constant friction between discs that are no longer well-padded. Without cushioning, the discs bear weight they aren't designed to handle, leaving them open to osteoarthritis. Although discs don't normally contain nerves, some doctors believe that when disc degeneration becomes severe, nerves from outside the spine can grow into the discs and cause pain.

Back pain often is often a symptom of long-term deterioration related to trauma, lifestyle and disease. Patients have plenty of options for treatment in most cases. Between medication, rehabilitation and surgery, many patients are able to reduce or eliminate their back pain and lead a normal life.