Our spinal cord is an essential part of our body, and any injury or condition that affects it can lead to serious health problems. As vital as it is, it is sensitive too, and several conditions can affect it, ranging from minor injuries to severe diseases. Did you know? Your spine consists of 33 bony vertebrae plus spinal discs, muscles, ligaments, tendons, fluid, and your spinal cord. Injury or damage to any of these areas can cause spine problems, but knowing the causes will help you take the necessary precautions and provide you with the measures to be taken in case of any injury or manipulation. In this blog, we will talk about some of the most common spinal conditions and their causes, but please make sure to use this information to just be aware of the symptoms and genesis. Do not replace the medical advice from your healthcare provider with this article and find a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Symptoms:

The signs and symptoms of common spine conditions and injuries often depend on which spinal nerves are affected. Generally, the first problem you will face with spine problems will be back pain, which may limit or get worse with movement. It is your spinal cord that carries nerve signals throughout your body which is why the spine conditions that affect your spinal cord can lead to a wide range of symptoms.

Nerve-related symptoms include:

• Pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs, depending on the affected nerves.
• Loss of coordination, difficulty walking, or climbing stairs.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control.

Herniated Discs

A herniated disc is generally a result of natural age-related wear and tear on the spine. These occur when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes out through a tear in the outer layer of the disc. In children and young adults, these discs have higher water content. When people age, the water content in these discs decreases causing the disks to become less flexible. This aging process makes these more prone to herniation. Not only this, but any traumatic event, such as a fall, can cause it to herniate.

When the jelly-like nucleus pushes against its outer ring due to wear and tear or a sudden injury, a disc begins to herniate. This pressure against the outer ring may cause lower pain. If you put too much stress on your back, a disk may tear or break. 

 You may not notice. But your arms or legs might hurt, or they could feel numb or tingly. Usually, exercise and painkillers help. If not, you may need an operation.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition that arises when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis can be caused by age-related changes in the spine, spinal injuries, or conditions like arthritis. The condition can occur in the neck (cervical spinal stenosis), the middle of the spine (thoracic stenosis), or the lower spine (lumbar stenosis). It can also be caused by injuries and diseases such as osteoarthritis and scoliosis. Your vertebrae have slippery tissue on each end that helps your back flex without friction. If that cartilage gets rough or wears down, the vertebrae start to rub against each other, and it makes your back painful or stiff.

Some people with spinal stenosis have no symptoms while others experience back pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms or legs.  Women are more prone than men to get osteoarthritis in their backs, and it tends to get worse over time. Your doctor can’t reverse it. But painkillers, therapy, and exercise help ease the symptoms.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways, leading to back pain and deformity. The exact cause of scoliosis is unknown, but it can be genetic, or it can be caused by conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Scoliosis is an abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine, often in the shape of an S or a C.

Symptoms of scoliosis may include:

• Uneven shoulders
• One shoulder blade appears prominent than the other
• Uneven waist
• One higher than the other
• One side of the rib cage jutting forward
• A prominence on one side of the back when bending forward.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, leading to pain and stiffness. When it affects the spine, it can lead to the formation of bone spurs, which can compress the spinal cord and nerves. Your vertebrae have slippery tissue on each end that helps your back flex without friction. If that cartilage gets rough or wears down, the vertebrae start to rub against each other, and it makes your back painful or stiff.

 Women are more prone than men to get osteoarthritis in their backs, and it tends to get worse over time. Your doctor can’t reverse it. But painkillers, therapy, and exercise help ease the symptoms. 

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is a condition where the spinal discs lose their strength and break down over time, leading to pain and stiffness in the back. Despite the name, this isn’t technically a disease. This is a progressive condition that happens over time from wear, tear, or injury. This can lead to bulging or protrusion of the disc as well as bone spur (osteophyte) formation. The discs in your back are located in between the vertebrae of the spine. They act as cushions and shock absorbers. Discs help you stand up straight. And they also help you move through everyday motions, such as twisting around and bending over.

Over time, DDD can worsen. It can cause mild to extreme pain that may interfere with your everyday activities. Degenerative disc disease can cause both back and neck pain, as well as put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, possibly impacting nerve function.

Sciatica

If pain shoots down from your lower back, through your bottom, and into your leg, the culprit may be your sciatic nerve. A herniated disk, bone spur, or some other spine problem can put pressure on it. Doctors call this sciatica. It usually affects only one side of your body. Hot packs, cold packs, stretching, and painkillers can help you feel better, but you may need a doctor to fix the cause.

Mild sciatica usually goes away over time. Call your primary care provider if self-care measures don’t ease symptoms. Also, call if the pain lasts longer than a week, is severe, or gets worse. Get immediate medical care for:

• Sudden, severe pain in the lower back or leg and numbness or muscle weakness in the leg
• Pain after a violent injury, such as a traffic accident
• Trouble controlling bowels or bladder

 

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures. When it affects the spine, it can lead to compression fractures, which can cause severe back pain and deformity.

Typically there are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you might have signs and symptoms that include:

• Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
• Loss of height over time
• A stooped posture
• A bone that breaks much more easily than expected

 

Spondylosis

Spondylosis is a condition in which there is abnormal wear on the spine’s vertebrae and the discs between them. Cervical spondylosis occurs in the neck and is a common cause of chronic neck pain. Thoracic spondylosis and lumbar spondylosis occur in the middle and lower back, respectively. Physical therapy can help reduce pain through stretching and neck traction. If your pain does not decrease after therapy and medication, surgery may be considered to help relieve some of the pressure on the nerves and spinal cord.

Spinal deformity

Spinal deformities can be caused by many conditions, such as scoliosis and kyphosis – abnormal curvatures of the spine. Deformities of the spine also can result from spinal fractures and conditions such as spondylolisthesis and ankylosing spondylitis. Some deformities can be corrected with physical therapy and bracing, while others require surgery.

Spinal fractures

Spinal fractures – broken bones in the back, neck, or spine – vary widely in severity. They also have many causes, including trauma; conditions, such as osteoporosis, that weaken the bones; tumors, both cancerous and noncancerous; and, rarely, genetic conditions. Although some spinal fractures require surgery, most can be successfully treated nonsurgically.

Spinal tumours

Spinal tumors are abnormal masses of tissue that develop in or around the spinal cord or spinal column. Spinal tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors typically develop because a primary cancer in another part of the body spreads (metastasizes) to the spine; in rare cases, the malignancy grows primarily in the spine itself.

To conclude, the spine, an intricate masterpiece, is susceptible to various conditions, ranging from minor issues to severe ailments. Understanding the root causes of these conditions is crucial, empowering us to safeguard ourselves and seek timely treatments. If you experience any signs of back pain or spine-related symptoms, do not hesitate to consult your doctor promptly. Quick medical attention can lead to early detection, prevent complications, and enhance your overall well-being. We are dedicated to enriching your journey, relieving pain, and enhancing your quality of life.