What is spinal instability?
Spinal instability is a term used to describe abnormal movement between 2 vertebrae. The stabilizing system of the spine may be divided into 3 subsystems: the spinal column, the spinal muscles, the neural control unit.
Clinical instability is an important cause of low back pain. As we get older, our discs degenerate and lose tension, which allows them to bulge and thus permitting an increase in movements to appear between the vertebrae. Pain appears when flexion or extension causes the vertebrae to slide forward and backward, or rotate abnormally.
This irritates the nerve, which has become tethered to the disc, vertebra, facet joint margin and ligaments in the foramen, and cannot move freely. Because the nerve cannot accommodate the abnormal movements, it will cause back and/or leg pain, arthritic overgrowth of the joints and it will lead to the development of bone spurs. Other symptoms of spinal instability include:
Once a disc is no longer able to function normally, the degeneration process of all parts of a spinal segment begins. Diagnosis starts with a complete history and physical exam, during which your doctor will check how your back works through various types of motion. In order to correctly diagnose your problem, you may be asked to wear a back brace for a period of time to see whether it provides any relief for your pain. Other diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
Conservative treatment is recommended if you have been diagnosed with spinal instability, and includes the use of a special brace to support and stabilize your spine, physical therapy and stabilization exercises. Surgery is reserved for patients with severe instability when conservative treatments failed to provide positive results and pain relief.
Source: https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/
Related Questions About Common Spinal Conditions
When your back pain hasn't gone away, or when it's severe enough, you should consider calling right away.
See full answerChronic back pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than 3-6 months. About 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, which can vary from mild to excruciating, episodic to continuous, merely inconvenient or completely incapacitating.
See full answerSpinal instability is a term used to describe abnormal movement between 2 vertebrae. The stabilizing system of the spine may be divided into 3 subsystems: the spinal column, the spinal muscles, the neural control unit.
See full answerThe spine is made of up to 26 vertebrae that are cushioned by discs, which are made from a soft, gelatinous inner portion and a tough outer ring. Spinal disc problems are common and can lead to symptoms of back pain and/or sciatica.
See full answerScoliosis is a common spine issue that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. It is a sideways curvature of the spine and can be disabling in severe cases. Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal that may occur in any region of the spine, putting pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots.
See full answerA herniated disc is “non-contained” which means that a tear or break is present and a section of the gel-like nucleus pulposus has slipped into the spinal canal while a bulging disc is “contained“, meaning that the outer layer of the disc does not have any tears or ruptures, and no portion of the nucleus has leaked out of the disc.
See full answerPain is a normal part of life but acute pain can sometimes turn into chronic pain, which becomes a problem you need to explore with your physician. There are a number of symptoms you need to take into consideration that may require immediate medical attention.
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