What causes lower back pain?
A wide range of injuries and degenerative conditions can cause lower back pain including:
- Muscle sprains and ligament strains
- Osteoarthritis
- Herniated discs
- Osteoporosis
- Fractured vertebra
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolysis
Your risk of lower back injuries and pain increases as you age. Your spinal discs become dry and less flexible, which makes them more prone to damage. Similarly, your risk of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis increases with age.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a specific type of lower back pain caused by compression of your sciatic nerve. A herniated disc in your lower spine typically causes sciatica. Sciatica can cause lower back pain, but most often causes pain, numbness, and weakness that radiates down one of your buttocks and legs.
How is the cause of lower back pain diagnosed?
The expert physicians at North Texas Orthopaedic & Spine diagnose the cause of your lower back pain with a comprehensive exam and consultation. Your doctor collects your medical history and asks questions about your symptoms. They feel your spine and lower back for signs of swelling or abnormalities. They may also guide you through a series of gentle movements and stretches to gauge your pain and see how your pain affects your flexibility and range of motion.
In some cases, your physician will order diagnostic imaging studies such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to get more detailed information about the bones, muscles, and connective tissues in your lower back to help them accurately diagnose the condition causing your pain.
How is lower back pain treated?
The physicians at North Texas Orthopaedic & Spine provide customized treatment plans to relieve your lower back pain and resolve the condition causing it. They often combine treatments both to reduce lower back pain and heal the disease causing it. For example, your treatment plan may include:
- Pain medication
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Massage
- Hot and cold therapies
- Trigger point injections
- Joint injections
- Nerve stimulation
If your lower back pain doesn’t resolve with conservative treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair your lower back.
Call North Texas Orthopaedic & Spine or schedule a consultation online today for expert treatment for your lower back pain.
