Advice from a Renowned Back Pain Dr near Me in Clifton

To stay healthy, women need to learn more about potential spinal issues that can affect them. For this purpose, Dr Shane Volney, a board-certified back pain Dr near me in Clifton is here to explain which back conditions are more likely to affect women than men. Keep reading to understand more!

1. Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is a painful condition caused by spasms in the piriformis muscle, a large muscle in the buttocks. Due to hormonal and pregnancy-related changes in the pelvic region, women are more prone to piriformis syndrome than men.

The piriformis muscle can compress the sciatic nerve, causing inflammation and discomfort that is comparable to sciatica pain. This is why some pregnant women confuse piriformis discomfort with sciatica.

• Piriformis syndrome can lead to the following symptoms:
• Hip and buttock pain that worsens with movement
• Pain radiating down the back of the leg
• Morning back pain
• Discomfort that appears when you sit up after several hours
• Pain that prevents you from standing for long periods of time

2. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint (SI joint) connects the pelvis to the bottom of the spine. If you are experiencing SI joint pain, it is most likely due to sacroiliac joint dysfunction, which is also one of the most common causes of lower back pain.

Women are more prone than males to suffer from SI joint dysfunction for a variety of reasons, one of which is that a woman’s SI joint is smaller than a man’s, resulting in a larger stress concentration on the joint. Another factor that contributes to SI joint discomfort in women is that the sacrum bone in women is bent rearward, less curved, and wider than in males.

Most female patients diagnosed with sacroiliac joint dysfunction usually have symptoms such as:

• Low back pain
• Fading pain in the buttock, which grows in intensity at times
• Shooting pain down the leg

If you are all too familiar with the symptoms above, contact a pain specialist to receive a proper diagnosis. In the meanwhile, lying on your back in a comfortable posture might help relieve discomfort until you can see a doctor. A pillow placed under your knees may also help.

3. Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

Degenerative spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra in the spine slides over the one below it. The risk of this happening increases as we age due to disc degradation. Because estrogen levels in postmenopausal women are lower, this degenerative condition is more likely to affect them.

What role does estrogen play in disc degeneration? When estrogen levels fall, the discs in the spine degenerate faster, and the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together weaken, resulting in spinal dysfunction. Also, postmenopausal women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the spine, which increases the risk of vertebral displacement.

4. Spinal Osteoarthritis

Spinal osteoarthritis is known as wear-and-tear arthritis because it develops with age as the facet joints wear out. The fibrous cartilage in the joints wears away, allowing the vertebrae to come into touch and eventually rub together. Because there is no soft tissue between the bones to avoid friction, this causes a lot of pain.

Weight increase, in addition to age, is a common risk factor for developing spine osteoarthritis. This risk can increase in women compared to men due to changes in the hormonal system, differences in the musculoskeletal system, pregnancy, and biomechanics.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell exactly if spinal osteoarthritis is causing your back pain. However, if you are experiencing the following symptoms, you may want to see your doctor for a proper examination:

• Persistent low back pain or upper back pain
• Pain in the groin, buttocks, and thighs
• Short episodes of severe back pain
• Pain that becomes worse when pressure is put on the area

5. Spinal Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis appears when bones decrease in thickness, making the entire bone structure fragile and vulnerable to trauma. Even a minor trip and fall might pose serious problems for someone with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis develops when bone formation outpaces bone loss. Women are four times more likely than males to develop spinal osteoporosis after menopause. This is thought to happen because women are experiencing extreme estrogen deficiency during that time.

Although osteoporosis can cause bone pain, it is usually associated with spinal fractures caused by compression, which cause severe back pain. If the severity of this illness worsens, it may develop into a severe issue.

If back pain is interfering with your daily activities, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a back pain dr near me in Clifton. Our pain management team is here to help you find proper diagnosis and reduce discomfort. We use state-of-the-art medical equipment to ensure you receive the best possible care and work closely with our patients to identify the best-suited treatment plan for their needs. You can find Dr Shane Volney and our dedicated team of back pain doctors in Clifton, on Route 46E, just past the Ford dealership.