Symptoms
in Back Problems
Terms you should know
Long bones : Bones in the limbs.
Annulus fibrosis : A series of rings made up of fibrous material, surrounding the soft center of a disc.
Numbness : Reduced sensations.
Bowel or bladder incontinence : Loss of control over bowel or bladder.
Osteophytes : Bony outgrowths produced by degenerative changes in the vertebrae.
Various back problems produce nearly similar types of symptoms. Pain in the lower part of the back or one of the legs is the main complain. Variation in the onset of pain may occur. Sometimes, the pain is mild and may even disappear quickly. But it soon appears either as persistent back pain or pain radiating to the leg. The type and severity of the back pain depends on the condition that is causing the pain. Pain from injury to the muscles or ligaments of the back is usually confined to the back, and depending on the cause may or may not be aggravated by bending the back. The variations that can occur in lower back pain can be :
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Pain radiates from the lower back down to the legs.
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Pain in the lower back occurs while bending or twisting.
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Severe lower back pain that causes discomfort in any position whether standing, sitting, or lying down.
Other symptoms that may occur in back problems are muscle spasms and loss of control over bowel or bladder so that the patient is unable to hold the stool or urine.
In disc herniation or disc prolapse, when a person bends down to pick up an object he feels a sudden sharp pain in the back and gets stuck in the bending position. He is unable to change his position or posture and has to be carried to the bed.
