There are certain conditions that women are more suspectable to than men (and vice versa). One such condition is back pain. There are some types of back pain that women are more susceptible to than men, especially after reaching a certain age.
Below are some examples.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis is located in the buttock and is a large muscle that can become irritated during pregnancy or after pregnancy, as the whole experience of carrying a child can change the pelvis. The symptoms include chronic hip and buttock pain that radiates to the thighs and worsens when you get out of bed and move. Sitting for long periods of time can also cause the pain symptoms to develop.
Tailbone Injury
An injury that women can sustain during labor is an injury to the coccyx or tailbone. It causes you to feel pain when you sit down and lean back. Hard surfaces also exacerbate the symptoms. With tailbone pain, you may experience relief when you stand or make adjustments to the way you sit, carefully preventing your tailbone from touching a hard surface.
Facet Joint Osteoarthritis
Women are prone to developing osteoarthritis in facet joints, and the risk increases as they become heavier or advance in age. Symptoms include pain that is worse in the morning and pain in the lower back, groin, and buttock area. You may feel relief when you bend forward without putting pressure on the back.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Low levels of estrogen can cause a woman’s bones to degenerate, including the vertebral discs of the spinal column. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is common in menopausal women and causes a vertebral disc to slip over a degenerated disc. The symptoms of this spine condition include lower back pain that radiates in your legs. Similar to osteoarthritis of the facet joints, bending forward may also provide temporary relief.
Vertebral Fractures
When vertebral discs have degenerated, they are prone to fractures. It could be due to osteoporosis, where the bones become porous and fragile, and as a result, you have a high risk of developing a fracture. Osteoporosis occurs when bone formation cannot keep up with the rate of bone loss. Menopausal women belong to a high-risk group for osteoporosis. Symptoms of vertebral fractures include pain that begins in the middle of the back and ends at the lower back. The pain may also radiate throughout the body, such as in the chest area, which can be confused with heart or lung issues.
Back Pain Treatment for Women in West Jersey
Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, back pain is not part of aging. If you are living with chronic back pain, seek help from an orthopedic doctor.
At the Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey, our talented orthopedic team can provide immediate relief from pain and recommend the appropriate treatments for the condition causing your back pain. Our goal is to get you the best results possible, which is pain-free living.
To schedule a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, call the Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey at (973) 989-0888 or request an appointment now. Our friendly staff is excited to serve you in our Dover clinic.
