Common Spine Problems and Their Treatment Options

Are you able to stand or sit upright? Thank your spine, a stack of vertebrae along with cushioning cartilage and large muscles that allow you to stand upright, bend forward and backward and twist from side to side. When viewed from the side, the spine has an “S” shaped curve. Running through the centre is the spinal cord, protected by the spine. Since the spine is centrally connected to all other body parts, any problem with it can lead to a variety of symptoms and impact the person’s ability to function to a large extent. While spine surgery treatment might be required in a few cases, others problems can be mild and treated easily.

Common Symptoms of Lower Spine Pain

Lower back pain can be incapacitating, impacting one's capacity to walk, sit, or stand. The indicators of lower back pain can differ based on the underlying cause and may include:

• Pain and uneasiness
• Tingling or numbness
• Leg or foot weakness
• Exacerbation of back pain during activity, alleviated by rest
• Lower back stiffness
• Impaired bladder or bowel control

Causes of Lower Spine Pain

Lower spine pain can arise from various factors. Some common causes include:

• Herniated Disc: Occurs when the inner, jelly-like substance of a spinal disc protrudes and applies pressure on a nerve root or the spinal cord, resulting in pain, leg weakness, and numbness.
• Spinal Stenosis: Characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to compression on the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, and leg weakness.
• Osteoarthritis: Involves the gradual breakdown of joint cartilage, causing pain and stiffness. In the spine, it may lead to the development of bone spurs that press on nerves, causing pain.
• Degenerative Disc Disease: A condition where spinal discs lose their ability to cushion vertebrae, leading to friction between them and causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Common Spine Problems And Their Treatments

Spinal problems are a common issue, and they can affect people of all ages. Some of the most common spine problems include:

• Slipped Disk: There’s a cushion-like disk sitting between each of your vertebrae that protect them from scraping against each other. With ageing, the disk begins to dry out. You might tear or break a disk if you apply too much pressure on your back. The condition is known as a herniated disk. Under the condition, your legs or arms might hurt or feel numb or tingly. Mostly, painkillers and exercise help but if they don’t, surgery might be required.
• Osteoarthritis: There are slippery tissues on each end of the vertebrae that assist your back to flex without friction. If this cartilage wears down or gets rough, the vertebrae begin to rub against each other which can make your back stiff or painful. As compared to men, women are more likely to have osteoarthritis in their backs which tends to worsen with time. Although there’s no way to reverse it, exercise, painkillers and therapy can help ease the symptoms.
• Spinal Stenosis: Your spine has multiple spaces housing the spinal cord and the numerous nerves that branch out from it. When these spaces narrow down, bones can easily press against nerves. When these nerves are compromised, it can lead to tingling, numbness, pain or muscle weakness. One of the main causes of spinal stenosis is osteoarthritis. In severe cases, a surgeon’s help is required to make more room for the nerves.
• Sciatica: If you experience pain that shoots down from your lower back, towards your bottom and into your leg, your sciatic nerve might be the culprit. A bone spur, herniated disk or some other spine problem might be responsible for the increased pressure. The condition is known as sciatica and it usually affects only one side of your body. Stretching, cold packs, hot packs and painkillers can help but you will need a doctor’s assistance to fix the cause. No matter the treatment, whether it’s lower spine surgery or any other, you must always consult a good spine hospital and take the necessary measures to heal.

Prevention Tips

To minimize the likelihood of lower back pain, consider the following preventive measures:

• Maintain Proper Posture: Ensuring good posture, such as sitting and standing with shoulders back and a straight back, can decrease the risk of lower back pain.
• Engage in Regular Exercise: Regular physical activity is beneficial for strengthening back muscles, lowering the risk of lower back pain, and assisting in weight management.
• Practice Caution When Lifting Heavy Items: When lifting heavy objects, bend your knees and use your leg muscles instead of your back. Avoid twisting your back during lifting to prevent strain and potential lower back issues.

CARE Hospitals is one of the spine surgery hospital in India where you can acquire specialized help in any neurological issue.