Low Back Strains and Sprains
Similar to disc injuries, low back pain can result from either a single significant trauma or repeated microtraumas. Both sprains and strains entail the tearing of body tissues and are typically categorized on a scale of 1-3.
Grade 1 indicates a mild injury characterized by the tearing of only a few fibers within the tissue.
Grade 2 represents a moderate injury where up to 50% of the tissue is torn.
Grade 3 signifies the most severe injury, involving a complete structural failure with over 50% of the tissue being torn.
While both sprains and strains may occur in similar ways, these two types of injuries follow distinct healing processes.
Low Back Strains
Strains primarily affect the body’s muscles and are commonly referred to as soft tissue injuries. While strains can be highly painful, they typically exhibit a majority healing timeframe of around 6-8 weeks. After pain has subsided, rehabilitative exercises are often the most effective approach for recovery from low back strains and the prevention of future occurrences.
Low Back Sprains
A sprain pertains to injuries affecting the body’s ligaments and the annular fibers of the spinal discs, collectively known as connective tissues. These tissues heal at a notably slower pace compared to strains. Typically, ligaments necessitate treatment to prevent substantial future dysfunction and pain. With appropriate treatment, it becomes possible to strengthen the sprained tissue to a degree where it no longer significantly disrupts your daily life.
Additional Low Back Injuries and/or conditions are:
Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
Pain in the back that extends into the lower extremities could be indicative of lumbar degenerative disc disease. This condition can develop from various factors such as torsional strain, disc herniation, among others. Potential treatments for lumbar degenerative disc disease encompass injectable solutions aimed at stimulating healing in the affected region.
Lumbar Facet Arthritis
Lumbar facet arthritis is a condition which can cause localized lower back pain that may also radiate downward, producing sharp pains in the leg and foot. The degeneration of the facet joints (which are structures that connect the vertebrae) can create debilitating and very painful effects. Cortisone injections and injectable regenerative solutions offer prospective treatment options for many patients.
Lumbar Herniated Disc
A herniated disc is one that, instead of providing a soft cushion for spinal structures, is now in an incorrect position between the vertebrae. Back pain is a major symptom of a lumbar herniated disc, and some types of disc conditions may produce pain that radiates to the lower extremities. Precise injections of cortisone or other regenerative solutions may be an ideal treatment for a lumbar herniated disc.
Lumbar Pinched Nerve / Lumbar Radiculitis
A “pinched” nerve is one that is typically characterized by a nerve experiencing pressure or compression. In the spine, conditions such as a lumbar pinched nerve or “lumbar radiculitis” are often caused by surrounding tissues that are compressing a nerve and creating symptoms such as numbness, decreased sensation, and/or pain that radiates from the back. Injectable therapies may be good solutions for these conditions.
Lumbar Stenosis
When areas surrounding nerves that exit the spine become narrowed, lumbar stenosis may have occurred. This condition can produce symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or even a tingling sensation in the leg and foot. More severe cases of lumbar stenosis can affect nerves leading to the bowel or bladder, potentially resulting in incontinence. There are injectable therapies that can be effective options for some patients who suffer from lumbar stenosis.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve travels from the lower part of the back through the hips and buttocks, branching down each of the legs. When any part of the nerve is irritated or compressed, it can cause pain (usually in just one side of the body) that radiates from the lower spine to the buttock all the way down the back side of the leg. This is known as sciatica. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options available for this common condition.
Intercostal Neuralgia
Intercostal neuralgia affects the nerves along each of the ribs in the thoracic area (which is the only part of the spine that connects to the ribcage). Furthermore, the condition can cause sharp and intense pain in the chest, chronic nerve pain, and even painful reactions to any kind of touching of the skin.
Rib Pain
An injury, inflammation, or conditions affecting surrounding muscles or cartilage can cause debilitating rib pain. While some individuals who experience rib pain find that the condition heals on its own, others require treatment to address the concern. We offer a number of options for rib pain, including non-invasive PRP injections.
Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease
Thoracic degenerative disc disease indicates a problem with a disc in the area where the spine connects to the ribs. This condition can cause pain in the upper or middle area of the back and may even cause bone spurs that compress the spinal cord. Regenerative injections and injectable cortisone solutions may be ideal treatment approaches for thoracic degenerative disc disease.
Thoracic Facet Syndrome
Severe back pain may be a symptom of thoracic facet syndrome. The joints and cartilage in this particular area of the spine can become irritated and degrade over time, potentially wearing away to such a degree that bone-on-bone contact results. Injectable solutions may be good options to effectively alleviate pain from this condition.
Thoracic Herniated Disc
Symptoms of a thoracic herniated disc often include back pain that may even radiate through to the ribs. For these types of conditions that affect the “intervertebral discs,” injectable solutions may provide an effective remedy.
Thoracic Pain
The thoracic spine is the area of the spine which connects to the ribcage. There are a variety of causes associated with thoracic pain, which can be particularly severe in the middle to upper region of the back.
Thoracic Stenosis
Compression of the nerves in the thoracic region of the spinal canal may lead to thoracic stenosis. This condition can be caused by several issues; however, osteoarthritis appears to be the most common. Injectable therapies may serve as an ideal treatment approach for the chest numbness and tingling sensations that often accompany thoracic stenosis.