Pseudoradicular back pain
Pseudoradicular pain is a separate cause from lumboischialgia. This is a fake nerve root pain that can be caused by various diseases. Pseudoradicular back pain also radiates into the leg, but never reaches the foot and cannot be attributed to a nerve root.
The following diseases can cause pseudoradicular back pain:
- Facet syndrome
- Diseases of the sacroiliac joint (ISG joint)
- “Blockages” of the lumbar spine
- Muscular states of tension
Facet osteoarthritis is an arthrosis between the vertebral bodies. In the majority of cases, facet arthrosis occurs in the lower part of the spine, i.e. in the area of the lumbar vertebral bodies. The cause of facet arthrosis lies in the increased wear and tear of the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral discs between them.
In comparison to the usual herniated disc, however, the wear and tear is localized in the posterior area of the vertebral bodies. A vertebral body has in its posterior region one extension that projects upwards and one that projects downwards. The joints that are located between two vertebral bodies lying one above the other are the so-called facet joints.
The wear and tear of the facet joints is often caused by years of heavy physical strain. Being very overweight is also a risk factor for facet arthrosis. Due to the continuous overloading of the spine, the affected cartilage and vertebral joints can become increasingly worn over time.
Cysts, joint inflammation or spinal canal stenoses can also lead to facet arthrosis. A facet arthrosis can also be a specific consequence of a herniated disc. A herniated disc reduces the distance between the vertebrae.
As a result, even the facet joint between the vertebral processes cannot perform its function properly. As a result, the joint may be subject to increased wear and tear, leading to facet arthrosis. Pain in the lower part of the spine radiating into the buttocks does not always have to be caused by a herniated disc or lumbago.Often the cause of such complaints is also a blockage of the joint between the sacral spine and the back of the pelvis, a sacroiliac joint blockage.
The causes leading to a blockage of the joint are manifold. Usually, the pain is caused by the displacement of the bones that form the joint. As a result, part of the joint slides out of the joint space and movement is restricted.
The irritation of the joint capsule surrounding the joint finally leads to a sensation of pain and in special cases to joint inflammation. There can be different causes for such a displacement of the sacral spine and the pelvis.
- Short, jerky movements
- Muscles too weak
- Overweight
- Bekhterev’s disease (chronic inflammatory disease)
- Pregnancy (hormonal changes lead to loosening of the ligaments that are normally supposed to stabilize the joint)
