There are various back pains as well as multiples causes. The most common causes of back pain are muscle or ligament strains, or disc diseases. As the body ages, vertebral discs start losing some of the fluid that helps them maintain flexibility, triggering thus their degeneration. Disc problem also may result from injuries which may cause tears or cracks in the annulus of the disc. Then the nucleus may be forced out through the tears or cracks in the annulus, causing the disc to bulge or rupture. The induced stenosis by the prolapsed disc presses on the spinal cord and/or nerves causing intense pain in the back and in other parts of the body such as legs, head, of arms.
Surgery is often required to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord/nerves and cure pain. In order to protect the bone graft and add extra stability to the spine after surgery, it has become common for spine surgeons to use a plate as a routine addition to a cervical fusion. Plate help provide for earlier return to normal functioning after surgery. If left untreated, ruptured disc can lead to some severe complications such as numbness, permanent pain, weakness, loss of sensation, or even paralysis.
Many other conditions such as vertebral fracture, osteoarthritis, spondylolisthesis, deformity, trauma, tumors, and pseudoarthrosis, can cause back pain. Overweight people are also more prone to back pain. The spine carries the body’s weight and distributes the loads encountered during rest and activity. Excess weight increases the load on the spine, which may lead to structural compromise and damage. Lack of exercise can lead to poor flexibility and weak muscles in the back. That can exaggerate the natural curve of your back, compromising spine’s alignment and causing chronic lower back pain.