Is it a slipped disc? Pinched nerve? Sciatica? Leg Pain May Stem from pinched nerve in the low back
Last updated Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Incidence and risk factorsWho gets lumbar radiculitis and why? In the
United States, research suggests that nearly 90 percent of adults experience
back pain at some time in life. Acute low back pain is among the most common
reasons for all physician visits.
Trauma that
causes a herniated disc can happen at any age. Radiculitis (inflammation of a
nerve root in the lower spine, causing pain, tingling, numbness or a burning
sensation in the back and legs) stemming from facet joint arthritis is more
typical in older populations (See
video: Spine: Surgery for the Aging Spine). Men and women are equally at
risk, as are athletic and non-athletic populations.
People can have nerve root impingements or
herniated discs but have no symptoms of radiculitis.How is lumbar radiculitis acquired (contagion, genetics, injury, lifestyle, etc)? Lumbar
radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the lower spine, causing pain,
tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs) is acquired in
one of two ways:
- by strain or trauma that causes a herniated or
prolapsed disc between spinal vertebrae;
-
by arthritis occurring in the facet joints that
protrude from either side of the spinal vertebrae. These enable your back to make
controlled twists and turns.
What is the role of genetics in acquiring or developing lumbar radiculitis? Genetics
can predispose people to arthritis, and research has suggested that genetics
plays a role in developing herniated discs. Stenosis,
which can be an acquired or inherited narrowing of the spine, could also create
pressure on nerves, causing radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the
lower spine, causing pain, tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the
back and legs).Is lumbar radiculitis contagious? A
person cannot get lumbar radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the lower
spine, causing pain, tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and
legs) from someone else.Is probability for acquiring lumbar radiculitis affected by diet, metabolism, lifestyle, etc? Anyone can
sustain a back injury that could cause a herniated disc.
Among
physically active people, those who participate in contact sports put
themselves at increased risk of damaging their spine. Additionally, people
whose activities lead them to build strong muscles on the front and back of
their legs (e.g., runners, cyclists) sometimes have unequally developed muscles
that contribute to lateral movement (e.g., basketball, soccer). Those
biomechanical imbalances can be a key component in back pain.
Conversely,
people who have an inactive lifestyle could lack the muscular support to help
them stave off injuries to the spine.
On-the-job
manual lifting, bending, twisting, and whole body vibration may be associated
with an increased likelihood of nonspecific low back pain – but stronger
evidence suggests that psychosocial variables such as depression, job
dissatisfaction, and physical trauma unrelated to work play greater roles in
patients’ reports of back pain.
Additionally, research suggests an association
between low back pain and smoking – possibly because smoking slows healing of
tissues in the body.Is lumbar radiculitis likely to result from injury or trauma? Lumbar
radiculitis (inflammation of a nerve root in the lower spine, causing pain,
tingling, numbness or a burning sensation in the back and legs) often stems
from an injury or trauma that causes a herniated or prolapsed disc. A simple
activity or task that requires twisting and lifting could cause a painful
event, as well.Can lumbar radiculitis be prevented? Physicians
have recommendations for prevention, which include physical therapy and
exercises to strengthening core muscles
such as abdominals and obliques and ongoing vigilance about body posture and
correct biomechanics to avoid injury to the spine.Surgery for Lumbar Radiculitis at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.
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