Back ache can be caused by an accident or an injury to the spine. Or it can be caused by a degenerative disease, metabolic diseases or be congenital. It can be the result of developmental problems or a tumour. Use this list as a basis of the possible causes of back pain.
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Possible causes |
It can be one of these diseases |
|
Degenerative (related to ageing) |
Discogenic disease; Spinal stenosis; Spondylitic disease; Facet joint hypertrophy |
|
Traumatic (related to injury or an accident, including motorcycle accidents, diving accidents and rugby injuries) |
Vertebral fractures; Lumbar strains and sprains; Ligamentous injuries, musculoskeletal injuries |
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Inflammatory (usually a chronic type of inflammation) |
Arachnoiditis; Arthritis (e.g. Ankolysing Spondylitis) |
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Infective (this can be due to a bacterial of viral infection) |
Meningitis; Vertebral Osteomyelitis; Epidural Absess; Urinary Tract Infection; Intervertebral Discitis; Radiculopathy |
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Congenital (you are born with these) |
Spondylosis; Tethered cord syndromes |
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Developmental (becomes more apparent in adolescents) |
Scoliosis; Sacral agenesis; Scheuermann's Kyphosis |
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Metabolic |
Osteoporosis; Paget's Disease; Diabetic Radiculopathy |
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Tumour |
It can either be a benign tumour or malignant. A malignant tumour can be primary or metastatic. |
Read more:
Common sense practices to prevent backache
Tips for a healthy back if you spend long hours on your feet every day