Back Injuries

Back injuries

        General or unspecified injuries to the posterior part of the trunk. It includes injuries to themuscles of the back.

Back Injuries

• Facet Syndrome
• Herniated Disc
• Sacro Iliac Joint Dysfunction
• Sciatica
• Spinal Stenosis
• Spondylolysis

Facet Syndrome Injury

Facet syndrome is a common cause of back pain. A severe episode of Facet joint pain may be due to sudden movement, which traumatises the joint. More commonly, Facet pain, or Facet Syndrome is chronic in nature - that is, the underlying cause is due to long term changes in the Facet joint that are often associated with degenerative disc disease.

The Facet joints are situated at the back of the spine, with one on either side of the spinal column. Typically with Facet joint pain there is back pain just to one side of the spine. This is normally made worse by side bending toward the affected side or extending the spine (backward bending). The back will generally feel stiff in the morning, although with longstanding Facet Syndrome there may be constant back pain.

Diagnosis of Facet Syndrome usually requires an x-ray of the spine. In the case of a severe episode of Facet joint pain, rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prescribed by a doctor, and postural correction with a Chartered Physiotherapist should be adequate. Chronic back pain due to Facet Syndrome may require an injection into the Facet joint or even surgery to cure the problem.

Common Facet Syndrome signs & symptoms:

• Back pain that is worse when bending back.
• Back pain when sitting.
• Back pain when bending towards the affected side.

The facets are the parts of the vertebra in the neck and back which form joints that enable spinal motion. Facet joint pain (facet syndrome) is common in people with back and neck pain. The facet joints produce pain when arching back (extending), as the irritated facets push together, they cause an inflammation, and pain sensitive nerve endings in facet joints become activated. The resultant pain causes a forward bent posture in an attempt to move the joints away from each other.

Facet joints are a major source of both acute and chronic neck and lower back

 pain, the facet joint capsules undergo significant strain with lifting or prolonged sitting, and if degeneration (arthritis) is present, the symptoms are worse. Other causes such as injury of the neck, as with a rear end automobile accident, (whiplash), or the low back with lifting and or twisting to one side causes a deformation of the facet joint capsules, thus resulting in pain

The facet syndrome is often associated with chronic pain from the degenerative process often associated with arthritis. The front part of the vertebra with the disc generally 

starts the degenerative process, as the height of the vertebra decreases, undue stress is placed on the facet joints which start to degenerate themselves causing additional inflammation and allowing for less pain free motion

The lower back, facet joint syndrome is characterized by: low back pain; pressure or soreness at the level of the involved joint; buttock pain, anterior or posterior thigh pain generally not below the knee, and possibly groin pain. The pain is worse with rotational movements; and during extension with respect to flexion. There is increased pain in transition from sitting to the standing, and reduced range of motion with stiffness in the morning.

Facet joint syndrome in the neck follows a similar course. Injuries to the facets are common in whiplash accidents and for those whose job demands looking up or holding the head and neck in extension, such as painting a ceiling. Keeping the head turned or cocked (cradling the phone with your neck) can also cause facet joint neck pain. The pain from the neck facet joints can radiate into the arms, between the shoulder blades and into the chest, and this pain can mimic a heart condition.

Chiropractic therapy is the treament of choice for all facet joint pain.

Herniated Disc Injury

Herniated discs occur most commonly in the lumbar spine (lower back) and are a common cause of back pain. Repeated overuse during bending, lifting, and sporting activities can lead to degeneration of the outer layer of the disc, which allows the gel-like centre of the disc to prolapse out. This presses against structures in the back that can cause back pain and even Sciatica (pain down back of the legs).

The onset of back pain is sudden and severe. The back pain from a Herniated disc may be relieved by changing position but it can be made worse by bending and prolonged sitting. Coughing and sneezing increase the pressure within the disc and can exacerbate the pain.

Physiotherapy treatment is effective for the treatment of a Herniated disc, although pain relieving medication is also usually necessary. The acute back pain normally lasts for a few days after which normal activities should be encouraged as much as possible, and a supervised rehabilitation programme normally allows a return to sport after 6 to 12 months.

Common Herniated Disc signs & symptoms:

• Back pain, which is made worse by sitting and bending.
• Back muscle spasm.
• Sciatica – pain, weakness or altered sensation in the buttock, hamstring, calf and foot.
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SLIPPED DISC AND herniated discs

          A slipped disc, more correctly referred to as a herniated disc, can cause a number of painful and uncomfortable symptoms throughout the back, neck, and extremities, depending its location.

For instance, a slipped disc occurring in the lumbar, or lower spine, can cause pain, tingling, and numbness that radiates from the back to the buttocks, hips, legs, and feet. The lumbar region bears the most weight of any other part of the spine, so that area is where slipped discs most frequently occur. On the other hand, a person with a herniated disc in the cervical spine, or neck region, may feel slipped disc symptoms in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.

The term “slipped disc" does not mean the disc has shifted or fallen out of place in any way; rather, it refers to a disc that has split or ruptured. That’s why slipped discs are more properly called herniated discs, ruptured discs, or torn discs.

Slipped discs can occur naturally as intervertebral discs and surrounding bone structures deteriorate with age, or they can be a result of an injury from improper lifting or poor body mechanics. Rarely does a sudden trauma, such as a fall or automobile accident, cause a herniated disc.

Certain activities put you at greater risk of suffering a slipped disc. Smoking and carrying excess body weight can increase your chances of disc damage. Also, people with physically demanding jobs that require repetitive lifting, bending, and twisting, or prolonged sitting and standing in the same position, may be at greater risk.

If you have been diagnosed with a slipped disc, your doctor will likely prescribe conservative treatments such as rest, pain medication, or activity modification. Most people start to experience improved symptoms in just a few months of slipped disc treatment. However, for those patients with severe, limiting pain that continues even after treatment, slipped disc surgery may be advised. Laser Spine Institute (LSI) provides minimally invasive, laser-assisted procedures that are tremendously successful at alleviating the symptoms of a slipped disc, and with a much quicker recovery time than traditional open back surgery. For more information or to receive a free MRI or CT scan review, contact LSI today.

Sacro Iliac Joint Pain Injury

The Sacro Iliac joint can be a common source of back pain. The Sacro Iliac joints are located at the back of the pelvis and several scenarios can produce pain in this region of the lower back, including a traumatic incident, biomechanical mal-alignment, hormonal changes during pregnancy, or inflammatory joint disease.

Sometimes Sacro Iliac joint pain can refer to the groin, buttock or the back of the thigh although, unlike referred pain from a Herniated Disc, Sacro Iliac joint pain rarely goes below the knee.

Manual therapy is very effective in the treatment of Sacro Iliac joint pain. The aim of treatment is to restore normal Sacro Iliac joint mechanics by removing abnormal stresses on the ligaments which surround the joint. Once normal Sacro Iliac joint movement has been restored, more active rehabilitation can be undertaken. This involves specific muscle work for the 30 plus muscles whose activity can affect Sacro Iliac joint stability - the series of exercises is different in each individual.

Common Sacro Iliac Joint Pain signs & symptoms:

• Pain in the lower back and buttock.
• Low back pain which is made worse by specific movements.
• A feeling that the Sacro iliac joint is 'blocked'.

Located between the sacrum (tailbone) and ilium (hip bone) in the pelvis, the sacroiliac (SI) joint (Fig. 1) is a common but frequently overlooked source of low back pain. SI joint pain is not specific to any particular age group, occupation, or sporting activity.

Establishing the diagnosis 

Diagnosing SI joint dysfunction can be difficult because the symptoms and physical findings of this condition are also seen in other well-recognized causes of low back pain (including a herniated, or slipped, disc). Your physician can diagnose SI joint dysfunction by carefully reviewing your clinical history and performing a thorough physical examination. Plain x-rays, CT, and MRI are not usually helpful in establishing the SI joint as a source of low back pain, other than ruling out back pain that may be caused by a disc herniation, pinched nerve, inflammation, or infection.

Symptoms 

The main symptom is a sharp or aching pain in the lower back, usually to one side. This pain is frequently felt in the groin and usually extends down the back of the thigh and occasionally as far as below the knee (Click for Fig. 2). SI joint pain is increased when you are sitting for long periods of time (such as in an automobile or during a long plane ride) and is frequently alleviated by standing or walking. Rarely are there associated neurologic problems in the lower extremities (knee, leg, foot), such as numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Physical findings 

Although there is no direct method for isolating SI joint dysfunction during a physical examination, there are several tests that can help your physician localize the pain in the SI joint during examination (Click on individual exams for details).

Treatment 

Most patients can be successfully treated by SI joint manipulation, mobilization, and a prescribed exercise routine to maintain joint mobility. Temporary use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) or occasional joint injection may be helpful. Studies are now being conducted to discover the advantages of surgically fusing a sacroiliac joint that has not benefited from conventional treatment, but surgery is generally a last resort for patients who continue to have pain. 

If you have any current back problems, such as sharp pains or constant stiffness, don't hesitate to see your physician. With proper treatment, you can get "back" to a normal, healthy lifestyle.

Sciatica Injury

Sciatica may or may not be accompanied by back pain. Sciatica is a condition where pain, weakness or altered sensation can be experienced in the buttock, hamstring, calf or foot but stem from the spine, via the Sciatic nerve. Sciatica symptoms can vary from a mild cramping or tightening sensation in the hamstring or calf muscles, to a constant shooting pain in the buttock, hamstring and down to the foot.

The major cause of Sciatica is a herniated disc (slipped disc) in the lower back, although Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Stenosis can also produce Sciatica, and irritation of any part of the Sciatic nerve can cause the symptoms of Sciatica.

Physiotherapy is very effective for the treatment of Sciatica. Pain-relieving medication is usually necessary during the first few days following a herniated disc, but the best available evidence suggests that patients with Sciatica should be advised to try to remain active, although movements such as bending forwards or sitting for prolonged periods should be avoided.

Common Sciatica signs & symptoms:

• Pain, weakness or pins and needles down the back of the legs.
• Sciatica symptoms aggravated by sitting, bending and lifting.
• There is usually a history of back pain.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve that runs from the lower back of the spine. However, due to many factors, which include a slipped disc or arthritis, or bad posture and lack of proper exercise, this nerve may get pinched and create a condition which is called sciatica.

Sciatica then develops as a back pain, leg pain, and it can go up to the feet as well. It is possible to cure this condition with proper exercises, however, bed rest is not recommended as this may stiffen the affected nerves and make the pain worse as well.

The best measures that you can take is to consult your doctor to find out whether you are actually suffering for sciatica pains and what are the options you have to get rid of the problem. Your doctor may recommend some tests to find out the exact reasons in the first place; however these are not very complicated. Pain killers may also be prescribed which will help you cope with the pain and discomfort.

However, if the pain is very severe, your doctor may prescribe stronger analgesics and the side effects of these drugs may affect your digestion giving you nausea, dizziness and drowsiness. These pain killers are also addictive.

There is however some very simple methods to avoid Sciatica problems and these include a good exercise program on regular basis which allows the back to remain active and flexible, weight management and proper care of your back while you sleep.

However, you should always keep in mind that there is no end to the complications that may happen from a simple pinch of a nerve ending, and therefore, you should contact your doctor and find out what is the best method of treatment, to avoid any further complications that sciatica pains can have on your system.

Spinal Stenosis Injury

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is a cause of low back pain that can produce various symptoms such as Sciatica, back pain, buttock pain, tingling, cramping leg pain and pain on standing and walking. Stenosis means narrowing, and Spinal Stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spaces that surround the nervous tissue in the lower back, most often the spinal cord and the nerve roots that emerge from the spine.

Spinal Stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal and foramen. This process can be due to a condition that someone is born with (Congenital Spinal Stenosis), or it can be acquired as aging processes affect the lower back (Acquired Spinal Stenosis). Because keeping the lower back ‘flexed' or bent forward relives their symptoms, patients will often walk with a slight stoop forward.

During flare ups of Sciatica and leg pain, anti-inflammatory tablets prescribed by a doctor are very effective at providing pain relief. Heat Packs and a Back Brace can also provide support and back pain relief during painful flare ups.

Common Spinal Stenosis signs & symptoms:

• Back pain that is made worse by standing.
• Back pain accompanied by Sciatica.
• Back pain that is relieved by bending forwards.

Spondylolysis Injury

A stress fracture of the lower back, medically known as Spondylolysis is the most common overuse back injury in sport. It is a common cause of back pain in adolescents, being particularly common in young cricket fast bowlers. Spondylolysis is caused by repeated arching and twisting of the back, which puts too much stress on an area of the vertebra known as the Pars Interarticularis. This is a weak spot within the bone, where a stress fracture tends to develop.

Spondylolysis is characterised by an ache in the lower back which is exacerbated by sporting activities and eased by rest. Typically, there is back pain when bending backwards, particularly if standing on one leg. In most cases, rest from sports for about 6 weeks is the treatment of choice, accompanied by a programme of rehabilitation with a physiotherapist, that aims to improve the muscle function and stability in the lower back.

Common Spondylolysis signs & symptoms:

• Associated with sporting adolescents.
• Low back pain during and following sport, which eases with rest.
• Back pain when arching the back (spinal extension).

The body can take a lot of punishment in a car wreck. One of the most common injuries in a car accident is to the back. Like aspondylolisthesis back injury, a spinal stenosis is common in Illinois motor vehicle accidents. Spinal stenosis is a condition which refers to  a narrowing of the spinal canal, which can result in pressure on the spinal cord and the  spinal nerves.  Spinal stenosiscan be genetic and is often seen in aging adults from long-term wear. Other times, spinal stenosis can be caused from a traumatic event such as a car wreck.  This occurs when the vertebrae are shifted (spondylolisthesis) or from a herniated disc. The end result of either injury is that the spinal canal is left with less room – spinal stenosis.  Even though not every back injury is critical, it should not go ignored. If the injury is not treated, it could lead to a loss of function as the nerves die.

Types of Spinal Stenosis Back Injuries

In an Illinois car accident, the neck and lower back are more susceptible to injury. A spinal stenosis back injury narrows the spinal canal at the lumbar region or cervical region of the spine. A lumbar spinal stenosis back injury occurs in the lower back, but symptoms can be felt in the legs. A cervical spinal stenosis back injury occurs in the neck, and the symptoms can be felt in the arms. A spinal stenosis back injury can cause chronic pain in the motor vehicle accident victim and should be observed by a medical professional to prevent future physical problems.

Symptoms of a Spinal Stenosis Back Injury

Immediately after a car wreck, the victim may not feel any symptoms of a spinal stenosis back injury. The reason for this is that the narrowing of the spinal canal does not usually create symptoms like other back injuries. Symptoms of a spinal stenosis back injury usually appear when inflammation applies intense pressure on the nerves of the spinal cord that motor vehicle accident victims begin to feel symptoms such as:

• Pain and weakness in the buttocks, legs, and calves
• Loss of balance
• Radiating or Cramping pain in extremities
• Loss in range of motion
• Bladder and bowel issues

If an Illinois car wreck victim suffers with a back injury that goes untreated, the result can be a spinal stenosis back injury. If the injury continues to go untreated, there could be other physical and health-related problems that follow. After a motor vehicle accident, the injured should ask to be examined for a back injury. If the symptoms of a spinal stenosis back injury continue for several days, a doctor with the right equipment should be consulted for a proper diagnosis.

Diagnosis of a Spinal Stenosis Back Injury

In the event of an Illinois car wreck, the injured are usually treated for their injuries at the nearest hospital. A back injury can be difficult to diagnose without being able to see the injuries. When a motor vehicle accident victim begins complaining of symptoms associated with a spinal stenosis back injury, the doctor should run tests to rule out any other conditions to be sure that the victim is being treated for the correct condition. In order to diagnose a spinal stenosis back injury correctly, the doctor may use an X-ray, MRI, or CAT scan. An X-ray will detect any debris blocking the spinal canal and a MRI can give a 3-D image of the area surrounding the spine. A CAT scan is one of the best devices that show the bone better than the nerve tissue, which helps the doctor see if any vertebras are fractured. If a spinal stenosis back injury is serious, a doctor may inject liquid dye into the spinal cord to show where the pressure is being applied.

Treatment of a Spinal Stenosis Back Injury

As like many injuries sustained from an Illinois motor vehicle accident, the treatment depends on the severity of the spinal stenosis back injury. If the symptoms are minor, conservative treatment for the back injury may require rest and limiting physical activities that use the cervical or lower back area. If the spinal stenosis back injury requires more than just rest, doctors may require motor vehicle accident victims to try:

• Anti-inflammatory medicine
• Physical therapy
• A back brace
• An epidural steroid injection

If the symptoms do not improve, surgery may be needed. The type of surgery for a spinal stenosis back injury depends on the severity and where the injury is located. The goal of surgery for a spinal stenosis back injury is to relieve pressure from the spinal cord or nerve by manually widening the spinal canal. Treatment for a spinal stenosis back injury is required in order not to lose motor function. If a nerve is compressed for too long, it may result in permanent damage.

No Health Insurance Required

When an Illinois car accident victim has to recover from a spinal stenosis back injury, it can be stressful enough. Many car accident victims do not have medical insurance and have the added stress of getting the expensive treatment needed for their spinal stenosis back injury. Our Illinois car accident attorneys understand how overwhelming it can be to have expensive medical bills when you cannot work because of injuries. We work with many medical professionals in Illinois everyday, so car wreck victims can receive the treatment they need even without health insurance. In most cases, we can arrange for you to get treatment even if you do not have insurance and we can also generally communicate with the health care providers to make sure they do not continue to try and collect payment from you until after the spinal stenosis back injury case is settled.