The structure and strength of the muscles and bones of the back provide humans with the capability to stand upright and ambulate on two legs. While an upright posture proves distinctly advantageous, it is not without problems. The weight of the upper body creates high levels of pressure and tension on the back structures, often leading to disease and pain. Lifestyle and medical interventions can help minimize the discomfort of back pain-related diseases.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis involves progressive degeneration of the cartilage cushions between the bones. Cartilage loss causes stiffness, pain, swelling and decreased joint mobility. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases reports that the lower back, also known as the lumbar spine, is a common site for osteoarthritis. The risk for osteoarthritis of the spine increases with advancing age. In a 2008 research article published in the journal "Spine," Dr. Leonid Kalichman and colleagues reported that less than 25 percent of people younger than age 40 have evidence of spinal osteoarthritis, compared to approximately 74 percent prevalence among those age 50 to 59.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a chronic condition characterized by progressive bone loss and increasing bone porosity, which weakens the bones and increases the risk for fracture. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases reports that an estimated 10 million American adults carry a diagnosis of osteoporosis; an additional 34 million have evidence of abnormally low bone density. Osteoporosis contributes to roughly 1.5 million fractures each year, including 700,000 spinal fractures. The vertebrae or spine bones are susceptible to a type of osteoporosis-related bone fracture termed a compression fracture in which weakened vertebrae collapse under the weight of the upper body. Spinal compression fractures typically cause chronic back pain due to misalignment of the vertebral column. Women are more commonly affected by spinal compression fractures than are men. Post-menopausal women prove most susceptible to osteoporosis and related fractures; decreased circulating estrogen after menopause accelerates the rate of bone loss.
Degenerative Disk Disease
Gel-filled cushions, or disks, separate the spinal vertebrae. Injuries and aging can cause slow progressive deterioration of the spinal disks, a condition termed degenerative disk disease. Chronic back pain, particularly in the lower back, commonly occurs with advanced degenerative disk disease, explains Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
A herniated or ruptured disk describes a condition wherein a spinal disk slips out of its normal position, bulging from between two adjacent vertebrae. The bulging disk may compress nerves exiting the spine, causing pain and numbness along the nerve route. Severe degenerative disk disease may require surgical stabilization of the spinal column.
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Handout on Health, Osteoarthritis
- "Spine"; Facet Joint Osteoarthritis and Low Back Pain in the Community-Based Population; Leonid Kalichman, Ph.D., et al.; November 2008
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Osteoporosis
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Osteoporosis
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: Degenerative Disc Disease
