Spine Injuries and Disorders—Back Pain

Also called: Backache, Lumbago

If you’ve ever groaned, “Oh, my aching back!”, you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Back pain is called chronic if it lasts for more than three months.

Most back pain goes away on its own, though it may take awhile. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and resting can help. However, staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days can make it worse.

If your back pain is severe or doesn’t improve after three days, you should call your health care provider. You should also get medical attention if you have back pain following an injury.

Treatment for back pain depends on what kind of pain you have, and what is causing it. It may include hot or cold packs, exercise, medicines, injections, complementary treatments, and sometimes surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

• Back pain – returning to work (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Back pain – when you see the doctor (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Back pain and sports (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Chiropractic care for back pain (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy for back pain (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Low back pain – acute (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Low back pain – chronic (Medical Encyclopedia)
• MRI and low back pain (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Sacroiliac joint pain – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Taking care of your back at home (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Taking narcotics for back pain (Medical Encyclopedia)

Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bone discs called vertebrae. The vertebrae protect your spinal cord and allow you to stand and bend. A number of problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. They include

• Infections
• Injuries
• Tumors
• Conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis and scoliosis
• Bone changes that come with age, such as spinal stenosis and herniated disks

Spinal diseases often cause pain when bone changes put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. They can also limit movement. Treatments differ by disease, but sometimes they include back braces and surgery.

• Compression fractures of the back (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Foraminotomy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Kyphosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Laminectomy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Lordosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Spinal fusion (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Spine surgery – discharge (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Spondylolisthesis (Medical Encyclopedia)