Orthopedic Back Specialist Q&A

Back pain can occur due to several different causes, ranging from injuries or degenerative and chronic conditions to poor posture or aging. With that in mind, some common causes of back pain include the following:

• Abnormal curvature of the spine, also known as scoliosis
• Bulging disc
• Cervical radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve in the spine
• Degenerative disc disease
• Endometriosis
• Herniated disc, which is also called a slipped or ruptured disc
• Kidney stones or infections
• Lack of exercise or physical activity
• Fibromyalgia
• Muscle spasms, strains, or tension
• Obesity
• Osteoarthritis of the spine
• Osteoporosis
• Poor posture or lifting heavy objects with poor form
• Pregnancy
• Sacroiliac (SI) joint inflammation and wear
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis, wherein a bone in the spine slips forward and out of place
• Sprained ligament
• Whiplash from an auto accident

Whether your back pain is chronic or acute, if you are experiencing ongoing pain in your back for longer than two weeks without any improvements, you should seek medical care as you are likely dealing with a serious issue.

However, the signs that your back pain is serious can vary according to whether you are dealing with an acute injury or a chronic condition. Concerning chronic back pain, your pain may be serious if you notice any of the following signs:

• Difficulty concentrating or performing routine tasks because of the pain
• Inability to perform routine movements, such as walking, climbing, or standing up on a daily basis
• Pain that lasts three months or longer
• Trouble sleeping
• Unhealthy reliance on pain relief medication

If you are noticing any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention from a qualified doctor who can refer you to a specialist or work with you to develop a treatment plan for managing and reducing your chronic back pain.

Some symptoms of serious acute back pain include the following:

• High fever
• Loss of bladder function
• Pain that results from a fall or severe blow to your back
• Severe stomach pain
• Sudden spike in discomfort
• Unbearable pain

In the above cases, you may be dealing with a medical emergency and should go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.

Back pain can be from an injury or condition involving the spinal cord, or it can be muscular. However, it can be challenging to know whether your back pain is muscular or spinal-related.

With that in mind, if you are dealing with muscular back pain, you will likely experience pain with movement and at rest that is dull, aching, or sharp. Pain stemming from the spinal cord will likely include the same symptoms as muscular back pain but will also occur with electrical and radiating pain, as well as significant feelings of weakness.

If you are unsure if your back pain is related to a muscular problem or a problem with the spinal cord, our doctors and medical professionals at The Orthopedic Group would be happy to evaluate your symptoms and determine the location and cause of your pain.

If you are dealing with chronic back pain that has lasted three months or longer, you should see a doctor for treatment, especially if that pain makes it difficult to get through your day and perform routine tasks. You should also see a doctor if you have recently suffered an injury to your back without any improvements in two weeks after the injury.

Visit The Orthopedic Group We offer comprehensive care and support that can improve your quality of life by reducing your chronic pain enhancing your ability to move freely and supporting your well-being from head to toe. We serve patients from Leesburg VA, Lansdowne VA, Stone Springs VA, Dulles, VA, Ashburn VA, Sterling VA, Aldie VA, South Riding VA, Herndon VA, Winchester VA, Reston VA, and Chantilly VA.