Lower Back Pain That Radiates To The Front Pelvic Area
Lower back pain is hard enough to deal with, but when it radiates to the front of the pelvis, it can cause discomfort everywhere across the lower region of your torso. The pain might also be felt in the hips, buttocks, or even the legs.
This can make it hard to find the underlying issue thats causing the pain. Physical therapists are highly educated health care professionals who can help identify structural abnormalities or potential injuries that are linked to lower back and pelvic pain.
Early And Correct Diagnosis Is Key
When seeing a physician for hip or lower back pain, imaging such as x-rays and MRIs are usually conducted at the sight of the symptoms. Yet, these studies can sometimes show abnormalities that are not actually the root cause of the pain. Let me share a quick example.
A fifty-year-old gentleman had severe pain in the outside of his hip. He saw a physician and had an x-ray of the hip area performed. It was determined that he had mild arthritis in the hip, but the arthritis should not have caused the extensive symptoms he was enduring.
So, he started physical therapy for a period of time and saw no improvement. He then received a cortisone shot in the hip, and that didnt work either. His treatment plan moved on to a stem cell injection with platelet rich plasma in the hip, which also offered no improvement to his symptoms.
This mans symptoms started in April and proceeded to get worse and worse to the point that he was in a wheelchair when he came to the OrthoVirginia office in August. I looked over his symptoms and decided to have a MRI performed on his lower back, even though he had absolutely zero pain coming from his lumbar spine.
It turned out that the L3 and L4 nerves in his back were being compressed, and the symptoms were appearing in his hip. A minimally invasive surgery was performed, and his pain was gone immediately.
How K Health Can Help
Radiating back pain can be related to a variety of medical and orthopedic conditions. Its important to seek care if your back pain is accompanied by other symptoms like weakness or fever. Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app? Download K to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor in minutes. K Healths AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and based on 20 years of clinical data.
K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
You May Like: Pain In Front Of Knee When Walking
What Is Your Opinion On Acupuncture If Surgery Is Not An Option
Back pain often has low success rates when it comes to surgery compared to buttocks pain that has high success rates. So if surgery is not an option for you, I think the answer is yes try everything else.
Everything else can range from physical therapy to acupuncture to chiropractic care to stem cell therapy. I have had patients respond to every version of therapy, and I have had patients respond to none of these options.
I would absolutely recommend trying acupuncture to see how much relief that provides you.
The Different Types Of Back Pain
Your back is made up of many interconnected and overlapping structures such as spinal nerves, intervertebral discs, facet joints, and large muscles. Back pain is the bodys signal that there is something wrong with one of these parts. Back pain comes in three major types: neuropathic pain, bone and cartilage pain, and muscle and ligament pain.
You May Like: Jaw And Ear Pain On One Side
The Worst Back Pain Is Rarely The Scariest
People understandably assume that the worst back pain is the scariest. In fact, pain intensity is a poor indicator of back pain ominousness,6 and some of the worst causes are actually the least painful . Pain intensity is a poor indicator of back pain ominousness & some of the worst causes are actually the least painful.For instance, someone could experience the symptoms of cauda equinae syndrome, and be in real danger of a serious and permanent injury to their spine, but have surprisingly little pain even none at all in some cases!
Meanwhile, many non-dangerous problems can cause amazingly severe back pain. A muscle cramp is a good analogy just think about how painful a Charley horse is! Regardless of whats actually going on in there, muscle pain is probably the main thing that back pain patients are feeling. The phenomenon of trigger points tiny muscle cramps, basically7 could be the entire problem, or a complication thats more painful and persistent than the original problem. Its hard to overstate how painful trigger points can be, but they are not dangerous to anything but your comfort.
Persistent And Unremitting Back Pain
Unremitting pain typically raises the same fear in patients and care-givers a concern for cancer. Back pain is the presenting symptom in most patients with cancer that has moved into the spine. Patients who already know they have a cancerous condition should alert their doctors to order specific imaging studies without delay.
Patients with spinal cancer usually experience a different kind of pain from that in common back and neck injuries. Ordinary back pain is usually related to activity, relieved by rest and is often associated with a recognized lifting or physical injury. It may seem to linger forever, but in reality, it typically begins to get better after about four to six weeks of rest.
Instead of getting better with rest, pain caused by a spinal tumor is persistent, progressively getting more intense over time, and is not relieved by rest. Pain may actually feel worse at night, and feel a bit better when you are up and around. Thoracic back pain may be associated with belt-like burning pain around the torso, and lower back pain may be accompanied by symptoms of pain or weakness in the legs similar to what we see in a disc herniation.
Since the most common cause of a spinal cancer is a metastasis from cancers of the lungs, breasts, prostate, kidneys, colon and thyroid, these organs should be thoroughly checked by your doctor when cancer is suspected.
Read Also: Is Naproxen Good For Tooth Pain
Anatomy Of Your Spine
The lumbar spine, also known as the low back, is composed of 5 bones that are stacked one upon another. Between the bones are soft spongy discs. Your spinal cord and nerves are protected by these bones and discs.
The joints, which include muscles, tendons, and ligaments, attach to the lumbar spine, giving it a combination of mobility and stability.
Many nerves originate in the low back and travel to areas of the body, such as the buttocks or legs. Therefore, symptoms of low back problems can be felt wherever the nerves travel.
By monitoring where you feel the pain and understanding how your pain is changing, you can help your healthcare provider or physical therapist prescribe the best treatment for your low back pain.
Causes Of Lower Back Pain Radiating To Front Abdomen
Abdominal and back pains are often symptoms of the same cause and this pain is often very common in people who suffer from chronic back pain.
Excessive enlargement of a large artery in the abdomen can often lead to abdominal and back pain. This is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Lower back pain that spreads to the front abdomen is an unpleasant and panic experience for anyone. There are many organs involved in the lower back and abdomen so there are different causes of pain.
Back pain and abdominal pain should be treated without neglect. Most of the time home remedies can relieve some of the symptoms of back pain and front abdominal pain.
But if this back pain is much earlier but has recently spread to your abdomen, it may be a matter of concern to you.
Sometimes back pain with abdominal pain indicates a medical emergency. Like, when lower back pain that radiating to the front abdomen.
Read Also
Read Also: Pain In Back Of Jaw
How Common Is Lower Back Pain
Two out of every three adults suffer from low back pain at some time. Back pain is the #2 reason adults visit a doctor and the #1 reason for orthopedic visits. It keeps people home from work and interferes with routine daily activities, recreation, and exercise. The good news is that for 9 out of 10 patients with low back pain, the pain is acute, meaning it is short-term and goes away within a few days or weeks. There are cases of low back pain, however, that take much longer to improve, and some that need evaluation for a possible cause other than muscle strain or arthritis.
Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and/or range of motion, or an inability to stand straight.
For Your Convenience Weve Divided These Causes Into Five Categories As Follows
- Low risk: This can be easily managed with over-the-counter medications or by avoiding the movement/stressor causing your pain.
- Low-medium risk: Usually managed as an outpatient by your doctor with prescription medication.
- Medium risk: May require a visit to your doctor or hospitalization. Prescription medication may be necessary.
- Medium-high risk: Hospitalization or urgent intervention. Although not life-threatening get help immediately of some kind.
- High risk: Serious and potentially lethal complications possible emergent intervention needed Intensive Care Unit care often needed.
You May Like: Jaw Pain With Sinus Infection
> > > 1 Unlikely Stretch Wipes Out Sciatica
Surgical interventions to correct spinal deformity include spinal fusion, which is a surgical procedure that uses bone graft to replace a disc. After undergoing surgery, your back will require physical therapy for three to six months. In addition to doctors and dentists, you can also see neurologists, physiatrists, and chiropractors. These specialists specialize in the brain and spinal cord disorders. They are often the best choice for patients seeking treatment for back pain.
Non-specific back pain is usually not diagnosed until the pain is long-term. There is no clear cause for non-specific back pain, but doctors should seek a diagnosis to treat the condition. It is important to visit a specialist for treatment in order to get the best treatment options. If the pain is chronic or has no specific cause, a doctor will perform diagnostic imaging to help identify the exact source of the pain. Further, they can perform MRIs to help diagnose underlying conditions.
While back pain is a common ailment, it can also be caused by something else. Many people experience sciatica or other pain in the leg, and a slipped disc could be the cause. Other types of back pain may be more acute, such as a herniated disc. For nonspecific back pain, a doctor may need to perform radiological imaging to diagnose the exact cause of the pain.
Low Back Pain Exams And Tests
Medical history
- Because many different conditions may cause back pain, a thorough medical history will be performed as part of the examination. Some of the questions you are asked may not seem pertinent to you but are very important to your doctor in determining the source of your pain.
- Your doctor will first ask you many questions regarding the onset of the pain. He or she will want to know what makes the pain better or worse. The doctor will ask you questions referring to the red flag symptoms. He or she will ask if you have had the pain before. Your doctor will ask about recent illnesses and associated symptoms such as coughs, fevers, urinary difficulties, or stomach illnesses. In females, the doctor will want to know about vaginal bleeding, cramping, or discharge. Pain from the pelvis, in these cases, is frequently felt in the back.
Physical examination
Imaging
Nerve tests
- Electromyogram or EMG is a test that involves the placement of very small needles into the muscles. Electrical activity is monitored. Its use is usually reserved for more chronic pain and to predict the level of nerve root damage. The test is also able to help the doctor distinguish between nerve root disease and muscle disease.
Blood tests
Also Check: Can Uterine Polyps Cause Back Pain
What Organs Can Cause Lower Back Pain
February 12, 2021 By Olivia Pryor
Lower back pain is most commonly associated with problems of the spine, but did you know that inflammation and other problems with your internal organs can also cause back pain? This type of pain usually affects one side of the back, near where the organ is located.
Irritation, inflammation, or infection of any of the organs in the central, abdominal, or pelvic region can produce lower back pain. Lets talk about some of the main organs that can cause this pain, and where you can go for an evaluation and treatment:
Localized Pain Tenderness And Inflammation
The muscular back pain you experience would be concentrated in a specific area, such as the lower back. It may extend to the buttocks or hips but would not travel down your legs to the calves and the feet. A strained muscle can also be inflamed and tender to touch, swelling for a few days. You can expect spasms or cramps to occur as well.
| Cause of Problem |
Recommended Reading: Minnesota Head And Neck Pain Clinic
Back Problems That May Affect Women More Often
A womans reproductive anatomy can sometimes contribute to her back pain, as weve seen. On the flipside, however, women can also be susceptible to degenerative conditions that affect the structure of the spine.
Back pain is quite common and the average patient experiences one to two episodes of low back pain per year. Low back pain can start in your 20s and can become a recurring problem which can be triggered by various events in life, notes Dr. Brian A. Cole, MD, FAAOS, orthopedic spine surgeon, Englewood Spine Associates, Englewood, NJ. Most back pain resolves by six weeks and is considered acute low back pain. When the pain lingers more than 12 weeks it is considered chronic low back pain.
Research studies suggest that in the United States, about 25% of women will experience vertebral compression fractures of the middle to lower spine throughout their lifetime. The condition occurs more frequently with age, reaching 40% at age 80.
These small cracks in vertebrae can cause substantial disability and limit in function.
Osteoporosisv is the most common cause of VCFs. Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of osteoporosis due to hormonal changes that decrease bone mineral density, predisposing bones to fracture. Osteoporosis is estimated to occur in 44 million Americans and low bone mass is present in an additional 34 million Americans.
Weakness And Legs Giving Way With Back Pain
Sudden back pain or weakness that causes the legs to give way can be a sign of a serious underlying problem and should be evaluated right away by a healthcare professional such as a physical therapist. Common issues that may result in the legs giving way with back pain include:
- A herniated disc
- Peripheral neuropathy
A herniated disc develops when the gel-like fluid inside of spinal discs that cushion the vertebrae protrudes through a tear in the protective outer layer, causing pain. This complication may be due to an injury or degenerative changes that develop with age.
If the herniated disc begins to compress a nerve that is nearby, it can lead to back pain, numbness, burning, or tingling down the legs, muscle weakness, pain that worsens when sitting or standing, or weakness that causes the legs to give way.
Sciatica is characterized by lower back pain that is caused by a pinched nerve in the lumbar spine. The pain radiates along the sciatic nerve, which is one of the main nerves that runs down the lower back, the hips, buttocks, and the legs.
When sciatic pain develops, it typically affects one side, but both sides of the body may be impacted. The pain may extend to both legs as well. The pain that sciatica causes can feel like a constant, dull ache or a sharp burning sensation that worsens during inactivity .
Read Also: Where Is Pancreatic Cancer Pain Felt
You Have Unexplained Weight Loss
If you experience sudden weight loss that can’t be explained by diet and lifestyle changes, then you should always pay attention to what your body is telling you. This is especially true when the unexplained weight loss is accompanied by back pain. See your doctor to rule out the possibility of a more severe condition, such as an infection or tumor.
When To Call A Doctor
Consult your doctor if you have back pain thats intense, worrisome, or that doesnt go away with self-care measures. Its also important to call your doctor if your lower back pain is making it hard for you to go about your daily activities.
Most cases of lower back pain on the right side are not medical emergencies. However, dont hesitate to get immediate medical help if you experience back pain thats accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- loss of bladder or bowel function
- sudden, severe pain
- weakness or loss of sensation in your lower body
- pain accompanied by fever, clammy skin, a rapid heart rate, nausea, vomiting, or any other concerning symptoms
The appropriate treatment for lower back pain emergencies depends on the cause. If the source of the pain isnt obvious, you may need one or more of the following screenings to determine the right course of action:
- an MRI to check your spinal cord, nerve roots, and other soft tissue
- an X-ray to look at your spine and other joints for signs of fracture or other concerns
- blood tests to check for markers of inflammation
If nerve or muscle problems are the cause of lower back on the right, epidural injections of corticosteroids may be necessary if the pain and loss of mobility and function are severe.
If appendicitis is diagnosed and it cant be managed by antibiotics, then emergency surgery to remove the appendix may be necessary.
- nerve compression in your spine
- disc degeneration
Also Check: Advanced Pain Management Evans Ga