What are the symptoms of a back injury?
Back pain, leg pain, muscle weakness, numbness in the legs or feet and a disturbance of bowel or bladder function are all symptoms of a back injury. What causes back pain? The back is a very complex structure, with a delicate spinal cord encased within bones arranged around it like building blocks. Between these blocks are discs, which have a tough outer casing and a jelly-like center. In some injuries, the casing of the disc can split, allowing the center to ooze out. If the disc presses on an adjacent nerve root, it can cause pain along the distribution of that nerve root. Pain may occur when small joints at the rear of the spinal cord are injured. Irritated muscles may go into painful spasms. What can be done about back pain? Most back injuries resolve through conservative treatment. This treatment may include rest, medications, physical therapy and injections. Unfortunately, surgical intervention is sometimes necessary. To relieve pressure on spinal cord or nerves, surgeons can rem
