Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people see a doctor and miss work. It is also one of the top reasons for disability worldwide. In fact, most people in the world will experience back pain at least once in their lifetimes.
Back pain can range from being a simple nuisance to a debilitating factor. It can interrupt sleep, make it difficult to get up in the morning, prevent you from doing the things you love, and even decrease your quality of life.
The more we age, the more likely we are to experience back pain. This is why a lot more elderly individuals experience back pain than younger individuals. So, are there conditions that affect older people more that cause them to have back pain more often? The answer is yes. Here are some of the most common spinal conditions that cause back pain in elderly and seniors.
Osteoarthritis – This is a degenerative condition that develops over time. While osteoarthritis can develop when you are young, it is likely to get worse as you age, which is why it is a primary reason for back pain in seniors. Osteoarthritis causes joints to degenerate and the spine is made up of many joints. When this condition attacks the joints in the spine, it can be painful to move the joints – which is why you experience back pain.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis – This condition causes the spinal canal that holds the spine’s nerves in the lower back to tighten. When this happens, the nerves become compressed and inflamed, which leads to pain in not only the back but also the legs.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis – This condition happens when one of the vertebrae in the spine slip out of place and move forward towards the vertebra below it. Degenerative Spondylolisthesis is a common issue in seniors and the elderly because as we age, our vertebrae are more likely to do this due to the constant pressure on the spine and the weakening of our bones.
Treatments
Treatments for back pain in seniors and the elderly depend on a few factors. First, it depends on the reason behind the back pain. Depending on the cause of the back pain, your physician may recommend a variety of different treatments. Additionally, your doctor will take into consideration any other health conditions you have and your overall health. If you have a weak immune system or other health conditions, you may be unable to take on certain medications or procedures to reduce your back pain. Finally, your doctor will evaluate the severity of your back pain. If your back pain is severe, you are likely to get a different treatment than if your back pain is mild.
Back Pain Treatment in Lone Tree, Colorado Springs, and Aurora, Colorado
If you or a loved one experience back pain that just won’t go away, see a neurological physician to get treatment. Because there are a variety of reasons why you may be experiencing back pain, it is important to get to the root cause of your pain before trying out treatments. The expert physicians at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery routinely diagnose and treat patients with back pain caused by all types of issues. Let us help you manage your health and live without back pain. To make an appointment, call our main office in Colorado Springs at (303) 790-1800 or request an appointment online.
