Causes and Examinations of Lower Back Pain

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

If you’ve been suffering from lower back pain since being involved in an accident, it is crucial that you seek a full medical evaluation as soon as possible, as this type of pain can be caused by a variety of conditions both mild and severe and a prompt diagnosis will be essential for your recovery.

Here are some common conditions associated with lower back pain and how they are identified:

Annular tear – This occurs when the annulus fibrosus – the exterior of a spinal disc – is ripped or torn, which may also result in a bulging or herniated disc.
Bulging/protruding disc – This occurs when the nucleus stays within the disc, but a small protrusion extends from the outer layer into the spinal canal, which causes pain when contact is made with a nerve root and/or the spinal cord itself.
Herniated/ruptured disc – This occurs when the annulus fibrosus is ripped or torn and the disc’s soft interior (nucleus pulposus) protrudes and comes into contact with nerve roots and/or the spinal cord.
Sciatica – This occurs when a herniated/ruptured disc causes pressure on a nerve which travels down the spinal column and splits into nerve fibers in the legs. This pressure can result in lower back pain as well as radiating pain through one leg, and in serious cases, it may cause numbness or loss of motor control in the leg due to interrupted nerve-signals.
Whiplash – Whiplash, which refers to a variety of soft-tissue strains caused by a sudden and violent jerking motion in the neck, can also result in any of the aforementioned conditions.

Doctors use a number of diagnostic methods to identify and diagnose these injuries, including:

Computerized tomography (CT scan) – This is usually a quick and pain-free scan for suspected damage to vertebrae, ruptured discs, or spinal stenosis. In this process, hundreds of two-dimensional “slices” (1mm each) of x-ray images are taken around the spine and then combined to create a three-dimensional image.
Discography – A common recommendation for patients who have chronic pain or are considering lumbar surgery, this involves injecting a contrast-dye into a damaged spinal disc to highlight damaged areas and deformities, which can then be seen on x-ray images.
Electrodiagnostic testing – These procedures include evoked potential (EP) studies, electromyography (EMG), and nerve-conduction studies. EMGs are able to assess the electrical activity in nerves and determine whether the patient’s muscle-weakness is caused by injury or nerve-damage.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – MRIs can evaluate the lumbar region of the spine for injury, bone-degeneration, and diseases in ligaments, tissues, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. These scans are non-invasive and help doctors to differentiate between fluid, bone, and soft tissue, especially for identifying conditions which may require prompt surgical treatment.

If you or a loved one has suffered a back injury due to negligence, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

Causes and Examinations of Lower Back Pain

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