Back Pains: Chronic and Acute Back Pain, Cauda Equina Syndrome and sciatica
Chronic Back Pain and Acute Back Pain
We can describe with the word “acute” any kind of pain that occurs suddenly when you are in the middle of some activity, and it’s usually very difficult to handle and extremely painful. Acute back pains are not supposed to last more than 6 weeks. Of all the types of back pain, this is the most common one.
Another type – chronic back pain – is characterized by slow or sudden appearance of pain that doesn’t go away for a long time. Chronic back pains last over 3 months and are currently not found in too many people.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
The spinal cord is located inside the spinal canal protected by the vertebral column, and starts from the brain. The spinal cord is also covered by dura mater (the outermost and toughest of the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord), arachnoid, which contains cerebrospinal fluid, and pia mater (the innermost of the three membranes). Along the way of the spinal cord, nerve roots start branching off, which makes it possible for your nerve system to send signals to other parts of the body when necessary. In fact, the presence of nerve endings throughout the body allows feeling touch, pain and other important things without which normal life would be impossible. The incoming signals go to the brain and get analyzed. The outgoing signals are the causes of back pain and other similar sensations, as they present the reaction of the brain and are aimed at controlling the actions of muscles and organs.
The spinal cord forms conus medullaris as it ends near the first lumbar vertebra, located in the lower part of the back. Filum terminale is a specific fibrous extension of the spinal cord. Cauda equina is the bundle of nerve roots located right below conus medullaris.
When the nerve roots get inflamed or compressed the signals sent to the brain are those of pain, which leads to impaired reflexes and reduced sensation. Another reason may be a pinched nerve. Most of these symptoms are likely to go away with time, but some of them may be quite severe and require serious care and attention.
Sciatica Overview
Sciatica is a form of neuralgia characterized by intense pain and tenderness along the course of the body's longest nerve (sciatic nerve), extending from the back of the thigh down to the calf of the leg. This condition may display symptoms similar to those of arthritis back pain.
The symptoms of sciatica include:
• The feeling of tingling or burning in the leg
• Painful rear (usually one side of it) that worsens when the person is seated
• Leg or foot numbness
• Weakness in the legs or feet
• Shooting lower back pain causing difficulty getting up
Sciatica commonly affects just one side of the lower part of the body. The condition and the amount of pain greatly depend on where the affected or pinched nerve (sciatic nerve) is. Sometimes painful sensation can be present starting from the lower back extending through the back part of the thigh and ending down on the leg.
Feelings of sciatica patients also depend on their individual characteristics: some experience acute back pains along with leg pains that have debilitating effects, while in others they may be rare and irritating. The latter have a tendency of getting worse.
In case you experience any of the symptoms listed above, consult a qualified professional as soon as possible. The following symptoms are also typical: loss of bowel or bladder control and lower extremity weakness.
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