The top of the list of the most common back pains is degenerative spinal disease.
You should see a doctor when you start to suffer from persistent or recurring back pain. If left untreated, degenerative spinal disease progresses and leads to serious health problems. Timely and correct treatment will have a significant impact on the effectiveness and duration of treatment.
One of the most common complaints of patients is pain in the leg or both legs. What diseases can cause this symptom?
Pinched spinal nerve
As we know, the entire spine is made up of vertebrae connected to each other by joints and intervertebral discs. Irregular posture and excessive loads on the spine inspire wear and tear of the cartilage tissue and intervertebral discs. Over time, they begin to tear and push outwards or into the spinal canal, causing back pain. Back pain that spreads to the buttocks, thigh, calf or even foot is usually due to a pinched nerve.
If the nerve is pinched, the patient is given painkillers. However, these may relieve the symptoms, but they do not release the pinched nerve, so eventually the nerve stops working. This results in new symptoms: numbness in the toes and weakness in the muscles of the lower leg.
A pinched spinal nerve can cause even more problems. For example, if it pinches the bladder, this will lead to the development of incontinence. If the pinched nerve pinches the reproductive organs, the patient will develop a sexual disability. The solution is surgery.
Chronic back pain
Chronic back pain can spread to the legs. This is pain that lasts for more than three months and is quite severe, dull or burning. Chronic back pain is felt in one part of the back and often spreads to the legs. There may also be heaviness in the legs, numbness in the limbs and discomfort in normal daily activities.
Chronic back pain can be caused by past injuries, arthritis, degenerative changes in the spinal tissues, altered posture, tension, depression and other factors such as neurotic, emotional, etc.
If chronic back pain is diagnosed, it is monitored and treatment is adapted. It is advisable to purchase a special lumbar splint.
Intervertebral disc herniation of the spine
This is another condition that causes back pain, often spreading to the legs. Back pain can be mild, moderate or even severe in this condition . If there are strong feelings, they are felt both when moving and at rest. However, they can be intensified by movement, for example by sweating, coughing, etc.
In the case of intervertebral disc herniation, the pain is usually localised at the waist, spreading to both legs or to one leg.
In intervertebral disc herniation, pain and discomfort is more often felt on one side: one side of the back, buttocks, one leg. The pain is often described as burning, very severe.
Spinal canal stenosis
In spinal canal stenosis, pain in the back and legs is caused by standing and walking. In the lumbar region, the discomfort decreases or disappears for a while when sitting down. The pain can vary from mild to very severe. Back pain and numbness in this disease spreads from the lumbar region to the legs.
Spondylosis
A disease affecting the intervertebral joints of the spine is called spondylosis. It causes small bony growths (roughly spinous) in the vertebrae of the spine that pinch the spinal nerve roots. The back pain spreads to the pelvis, one or both legs.
In young people, the disease can be caused by extreme physical exertion and frequent back injuries, while in the elderly it is most often caused by poor posture.
Acupuncture, massages, special therapeutic exercises and medication can help relieve the pain caused by spondylosis. Medicines must be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the patient's age, comorbidities, the stage of spondylosis, and symptoms.
