Causes of pain in the spine

Risk factors for pain in the spine:

• professional (heavy physical work, static load on the spine, lifting weights, monotonous physical labor, including frequent forward slopes and body turns, work accompanied by vibratory processes);
• psychosocial factors (in adolescents they are even more important than mechanical ones, especially in the case of prolonged - subacute flow);
• inadequate nutrition, smoking, irregular exercise;
• individual physical factors (heavy loads and unnatural position of the body, stereotyped movements, etc.);
• low physical exertion, an increase in the viewing time of TV programs;
• employment by competing sports, martial arts;
• computerized way of life.

Thus, the external risk factors for pain in the spine are quite diverse, but can be eliminated or at least limited by the duration of the exposure. Their detection is of great importance for preventing progression, chronic disease and, ultimately, for preventing early disability.

Factors indicating serious causes of pain in the spine

Symptom	Diagnostic value
Existing or pre-existing tumor Use of corticosteroids or Immunosuppressive substances Intravenous drug use Trauma (in particular, a serious fall or car accident) Symptoms of infection (chills, fever) Neurological symptoms Constitutional symptoms (weight loss, night sweats, anorexia) Dysfunction of the intestine and bladder No improvement in bed rest Pain lasts more than 6-8 weeks	Recurrent tumors Infection, fracture Infection Fracture Infection Infection, swelling, herniated intervertebral disc, horse tail syndrome, spinal stenosis Infection, swelling Ponytail syndrome Infection, swelling Infection, swelling

When identifying more dangerous factors, it is necessary to exclude serious causes of pain in the spine.

The main causes of pain in the spine

Pain in the spine may be the result of a retroperitoneal disease (duodenal ulcer, aortic aneurysm, pancreatic cancer, often with pain localized in the lumbar region of the back, but the movements in the back are complete and do not cause pain!). Other causes may include a tumor of the spine; infection; pain associated with spondylosis or caused by mechanical factors; lesions of intervertebral discs, spondyloarthritis, osteoporosis, osteomalacia.

1. Degenerative and structural - osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis, injuries and herniation of intervertebral discs, congenital or prenobretenny as a result of pathological fracture spondylolisthesis (displacement of the vertebral body relative to the adjacent vertebra), spondylolysis (defect of the articular part of the vertebra of the vertebra in the form of one or two-sided slit), osteochondropathy of the spine (Sheyerman-Mau disease), compressive vertebral fractures, spinal stenosis, trauma (hemorrhages, fractures, cracks).
2. Metabolic - Paget's disease, osteoporosis, other metabolic bone lesions (osteomalacia, ochronosis, hyperparathyroidism).
3. Inflammatory non-infectious - spondyloarthritis, sacroiliitis, Bechterew's disease, psoriatic spondylitis, reactive arthritis, rheumatoid discitis, arthritis with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease.
4. Infectious - osteomyelitis of the spine and pelvic bones, spinal tuberculosis, syphilis, paraspinal abscess, abscess of the epithelial coccygeal path, discitis, epidural abscess, paravertebral infections.
5. Tumors are metastases in the spine (prostate, breast, lung, thyroid, kidney, adrenal, melanoma), myeloma, blood system tumors (lymphoma, leukemia), rare tumors (osteosarcoma, osteoid osteoma, aneurysmal bone cyst, hemangnoma and others), primary bone neoplasia, humoral affects of bone tumors.
6. Other - hip joint lesion (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, aseptic necrosis, tuberculosis, osteomyelitis), cocciogeny.
7. Defeat of the spinal cord - arachnoiditis (after myelitis or postoperative pernedode), epiduritis, tumor, tuberculosis, abscess.
8. Pathology of soft tissues - overexertion of the lumbosacral section, muscle and ligament damage, myofascial syndrome, tendinitis, fibromyalgia, rheumatic polymyalgia, sciatic bursitis.
9. Diseases of the internal organs and vessels - exfoliating aneurysm of the abdominal aorta, kidney and urinary tract diseases (stones, infection, tumor), pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, biliary tract diseases, spleen, retroperitoneal cellulitis, retroperitoneal tumor, pelvic abscess, endometrial, inflammatory and tumor diseases of female genital organs, prostatitis, prostate cancer.
10. Others (shingles, depression, pregnancy, simulation).

Vertebrogenic causes of pain in the spine

The most common causes of pain in the spine are vertebrogenic pain. They occur in a variety of diseases, and therefore the key to their successful treatment is accurate diagnosis. Under vertebrogenic pain (dorsopathy) is understood pain syndromes in the field of the trunk and extremities of non-vascular ethnology associated with diseases of the spine.

The most common cause of vertebrogenic pain in the spine are degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the spine:

1. osteochondrosis (protrusion or prolapse of the intervertebral disc, dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebral bodies);
2. spondylarthrosis (arthrosis of the arcuate or facet joints);
3. spondylosis (bone formation under the anterior longitudinal ligament).

Due to these changes in the spine, dystrophic spondylolisthesis and secondary lumbar stenosis can develop. In the origin of the vertebrogenic pain syndrome, functional interlocking of the intervertebral joints with a secondary musculo-tonic reflex syndrome is also of great importance.

Osteochondrosis

The most frequent cause of acute pain in the spine. The cause of pain is a degenerative damage to the intervertebral discs, which subsequently leads to a change in the intervertebral joints and ligaments. When lesions of the lumbar intervertebral discs, the pulpous (pulp) core of the disc through the cracks in the fibrous ring protrudes in the form of a hernia in the posterolateral direction towards the posterolateral ligament, which is the weakest, squeezing the roots of the spinal nerves. The pelvic nucleus of the disc may protrude into the side of the vertebral canal, which leads to the appearance of lumbar pains, however, compression of the nerve roots usually does not occur. Nevertheless, in this case there is a certain risk of the syndrome of compression of the elements of the horse tail, which is characterized by blunt pain in the upper sacral areas and parasthesia in the buttocks, genitals or thigh area with simultaneous disruption of the bowel and bladder functions.

Recent studies have shown that radicular lumbar pain due to a herniated intervertebral disc in most patients completely disappear or significantly weaken within 6-18 months. Pain in osteochondrosis occurs or worsens after physical exertion (weight lifting or awkward turn), weaken at rest (lying down), spreads over the back surface of the foot, accompanied by restriction of movements. In a history of such patients, as a rule, similar attacks have already been observed.

In acute pain, calmness is prescribed for 2-3 weeks. And painkillers: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, non-narcotic analgesics. After the abatement of pain, a special set of exercises is recommended, if necessary - manual therapy.

Spondylarthrosis or Bechterew's disease

Spondyloarthrosis often develops in patients over the age of 50 and may accompany osteochondrosis. Major changes develop in the intervertebral joints, which leads to a pronounced restriction of movements. Pain in the lumbar spine is localized in a paravertebrancho, usually dull, aching, provoked and intensified with a physical or prolonged static load (sitting, standing), weakens in a lying, sitting position. X-ray signs of spondyloarthrosis include:

1. Subchondral sclerosis of articular surfaces;
2. Narrowing of the articular fissure until its complete disappearance;
3. Bony growths in the joint zone, deformation of the articular processes.

In foreign studies, radiologic parameters in spondyloarthrosis are often evaluated according to the Kellgren classification, according to which 4 gradations are distinguished - from 1 (absence of osteophytes) to 4 (large osteophytes, sclerosis of the endplates, decrease in the height of intervertebral discs until extinction).

In the treatment of pain relief, special exercises, hydrotherapy, manual therapy are prescribed.

Spinal stenosis

E the narrowing of the spinal canal, which leads to ischemia and nerve roots promotes neurogenic claudication. Osteoarthropathy of the arcuate (intervertebral) joints and intervertebral discs leads to narrowing of the spinal canal. Excessive workload on functionally inferior intervertebral discs can promote the formation of large osteophytes. The intervertebral joints are hypertrophied, the growing osteophyte deforms them, and the yellow ligament thickens. As a result of these changes, the spinal canal and vertebral apertures narrow. Patients complain of permanent pain in the lumbar region, which sometimes assumes a drilling character and radiates downward into the leg (false lameness). The pain increases in standing and walking.

Spondylolisthesis

This is the displacement of the vertebra anterior to the underlying vertebra (usually the vertebra L5 is shifted anterior to the vertebra S1). The degree of displacement is different. Patients complain of pain that is localized in the lumbar region, on the back of the thigh and lower down the lower limb. Physical activity increases pain. Spondylolisthesis is a very common cause of back pain in patients under the age of 26 years and can be easily diagnosed with conventional radiography. Spondylolysis is one of the forms of spondylolisthesis, in which there is a defect in the interarticular portion of the vertebral artery without displacement of the vertebrae anteriorly. It is believed that this defect is caused by a violation of the processes of osteosynthesis and can be detected in young athletes.

At the same time, there are other causes of pain in the spine, which the doctor should remember in order to avoid medical errors. These include: non-infectious inflammatory diseases (ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis), metabolic bone lesions (osteoporosis, osteomalacia), degenerative dystrophy (intervertebral) joints, pathology of the sacroiliac joint, neoplasm of the spine and spinal cord, infectious lesions of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, brucellosis, epidural abscess), growth diseases (scoliosis), spine and soft tissue trauma, pear-shaped muscle syndrome, these organs accompanied by the reflected pain, herpes zoster, etc.

Spondyloarthropathies

Spondyloarthropathy refers to a group of diseases that is characterized by damage to the sacroiliac articulations and joints of the spine. These include: ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew's disease), Reiter's syndrome, gout, psoriatic arthritis, arthritis in inflammatory bowel diseases, reactive arthritis. More often young men are ill. Pain localized, bilateral, occurs at rest (worse at night and early morning) and decreases with movement. In the morning, joint stiffness is noted, which does not last long.

Malignant neoplasms (myeloma, metastases in the spine, tumors of the spine)

All malignant neoplasms are characterized by a constant, deep pain in the spine, the intensity of which does not change within a day.

Myeloma is a tumor of the blood-forming tissue. The disease usually begins at the age of 50-60 years and is accompanied by pain in the spine and other bones. The expressed destruction of a bone as a result of development of a tumor can lead to spontaneous fractures.

Metastases in the spine are most often observed in lung, milk and prostate cancer. When primary tumors of the spine, the symptoms appear when the tumor squeezes or sprouts into the spinal roots. In addition to severe pain, there is a change in sensitivity, motor disorders, which are steadily progressing.

Pain relief in patients with malignant neoplasms often requires the appointment of narcotic analgesics. However, in the initial stage of the disease, the use of non-narcotic analgesics is possible to relieve the pain syndrome of mild and moderate severity.

Infections

Osteomyelitis and tuberculosis of the spine, although related to rare diseases, nevertheless, one should not forget that they can cause constant pain in the spine, which does not change during the day. There are also common signs of the disease: fever and intoxication. Patients require treatment in specialized hospitals.

The cause of pain in the spine may be a violation of posture

It should be noted that scoliosis is always a pathology. The signs confirming the presence of scoliosis include: visible deformation of the spinous processes of the vertebrae; asymmetry of the shoulders, shoulder blades and folds at the waist, which do not disappear in the sitting position; asymmetry of the paraspinal muscles; excessive chest kyphosis and deformities in the sagittal plane. Lordosis almost always has a secondary character and is caused either by the inclination of the pelvis forward, or by changes in the hip joints.

Spinal curvatures can be interpreted as functional or anatomical. Functional are found in muscle spasms or short legs in a child. Anatomical same distortions are signs of congenital or acquired pathology.

Spinal cord injury occurs in Prader-Willi syndrome, Sheyermann-Mau disease (juvenile kyphosis), rachitis (non-fixed kyphosis due to the weakness of the ligamentous muscle), tuberculosis spondylitis, spine trauma.

Non-vertebral causes of pain in the spine

One of the common causes of such pain in the spine is myofascial pain syndrome, which can complicate almost any vertebrogenic pain or be observed regardless of them. Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by chronic pain sensations that occur in different trigger points of muscle and fascial tissue. Thus patients complain of sharp pains along local zones of morbidity which often irradiate. This pathology is sometimes confused with radiculopathy (root pains). Trigger point sites are most often localized in the upper parts of the trapezius muscle, on the surface of the extensor muscles of the back, in the muscle tissue of the lower sections of the paravertebral muscles and in the gluteal muscles. The determination of the causes of pain in the spinal column is based on the results of a clinical examination, radiation diagnosis data and other paraclinical methods of investigation.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia most likely should be considered as a separate nosological form with a primary lesion of muscles. Literary data indicate that fibromyalgia can be congenital, more common in women and can develop against a background of physical or emotional trauma. In patients with fibromyalgia, patients complain of diffuse pain, painful zones are determined palpation, and this symptomatology lasts at least 3 months. A variety of psychological disorders can occur in twenty-five percent of patients with fibromyalgia.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Damage to muscles and ligaments

After minor injuries that occurred while doing physical work, playing sports, there is a constant superficial spilled pain in the spine, which is greatly facilitated by local application of painkillers - NSAIDs (gel) or their systemic intake. In addition to the pronounced analgesic effect, these drugs have anti-inflammatory effect, which shortens the rehabilitation time.

[6], [7]

Cardiovascular diseases

The rupture of the aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or hemorrhage into the retroperitoneal tissue is manifested by severe back pain, collapse, paresis, and sensitivity disorders. In anamnesis, patients with hemorrhage have indications of taking anticoagulants. Spilled blood squeezes spinal nerves. Both situations require emergency hospitalization.

[8], [9], [10], [11], [12]

Diseases of the pelvic organs are accompanied by pains in the spine

Dull pain in the spine serves as one of the main symptoms of pyelonephritis. The disease especially often develops in pregnant women, accompanied by frequent, painful urination and the appearance of cloudy urine, chills, fever above 38 ° C. Treatment is carried out by antinubtics and uroseptics.

Pain in the spine can become a leading symptom of algodismenorrhea and endometrialnosis. Thus it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that deep, aching, diffuse pain is always associated with the menstrual cycle. Treatment is carried out by a gynecologist. Pain relief is used to relieve pain (NSAIDs, non-narcotic analgesics).

Back pain is differentiated with abdominal aortic aneurysm, ectopic pregnancy, pancreatitis, perforated ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, pyelonephritis and urolithiasis, pelvic tumor (eg, sciatica), inflammatory diseases of the appendages in women.

[13], [14], [15]

"Mechanical" pain in the spine

The vertebral column consists of a number of complex joints between the vertebrae; spongy disks between their bodies, which serve to absorb shock, as well as from a variety of facet joints. Violation of the function in any part of the spine can affect its function as a whole, and spasm of the vertebral muscles only intensifies the pain. Since most of the time a person is in an upright position, considerable forces act on the spine, especially during the rise; In this case, ruptures of the discs (their fibrous rings) in relatively young people and even vertebral fractures can occur in the elderly.

Disc prolapse

Most often, rupture occurs in the lumbar region, especially the last two disks. In typical cases, a few days after a great strain of the back muscles, a sudden pain (in the spine) occurs suddenly in a person with coughing, sneezing or abrupt turning (the onset of the disease may be more gradual). Pain can be localized in the lower lumbago (lumbago), and can irradiate into the buttocks and down the leg (legs) - then talk about sciatica, while the prolapsed nucleus of the disk squeezes the nerve root.

Symptoms: restriction of flexion of the trunk forward, sometimes also restriction of extension; lateral flexion is broken to a lesser degree, but if it is violated, it is one-sided. With prolapse of the L5 / S1 disc, root pain arises along the S path, with characteristic pain in the gastrocnemius muscle, weakening of plantar flexion, a decrease in sensitivity (when the needle is pricked) on the plantar side of the foot and the posterior surface of the tibia, as well as the decrease in the Achilles reflex. With the prolapse of the L4 / L5 disc, the extension of the thumb is broken, as well as the sensitivity on the external surface of the foot decreases. If the lower lumbar discs prolapse in the central direction, the pony tail may be squeezed.

In most cases, the patient shows rest, it is recommended to lie on a hard surface, painkillers are effective. Myelography and magnetic nuclear tomography can confirm the diagnosis, but they are used when decompression with a laminectomy is planned (for example, for the decompression of the horse's tail) or when conservative treatment is ineffective and the symptoms of the disease are pronounced.

[16], [17]

Stenosis of lumbar vertebral-lateral recess

Osteoarthritis of the facet joints (the only synovial joints in the back region) can cause a generalized narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal or only its lateral recesses (protrusions). In contrast to the symptomatology of disc prolaps in the lumbar spine, the signs of this constriction are as follows.

• Pain increases with walking, with pain and heaviness in one or both legs, which causes the patient to stop ("vertebral intermittent claudication"),
• Pain occurs when the spine is unbent.
• Negative symptom of Lasega.
• A few symptoms of CNS damage.

Confirmation of the diagnosis. Computer (CT) myelography and magnetic nuclear tomography can visualize the spinal canal.

Treatment. Decompression of the spinal canal (remove its posterior wall) gives good results if NSAIDs are ineffective, the introduction of steroids into the epidural space and the wearing of the corset (to prevent the lumbar lordosis in standing position).