overview
A tumor in the spine can cause pressure on the nerves in the spine similar to many other spinal conditions. Spinal tumors are abnormal growths that develop inside the spinal column, usually causing pain and other symptoms. Spine tumors can be primary or metastatic (develops as an extension of another cancer (such as lung, breast, colon, or kidney). They can be benign or malignant. Benign spine tumors include meningiomas, schwannomas, osteoid osteomas, and osteoblastomas. Spinal tumors can also be categorized by their location within the spine as intramedullary grow in the spinal cord itself astrocytomas, ependymomas, or hemangioblastomas, usually benign but they can be difficult to remove. intradural-extramedullary These are tumors that occur outside the spinal cord but within its protective covering. These tumors are often meningiomas, Schwannomas, or neurofibromas. Like intramedullary tumors, these tumors are often benign, but they can be difficult to remove surgically and may recur after treatment., or extradural.

management
The treatment and prognosis for a spine tumor vary based on whether it is primary or metastatic, benign or malignant, and other factors. Treatment options include microsurgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of all three depending on the unique circumstances associated with each individual tumor. In addition, control of pain and preservation of neurologic function is a major focus of spine tumor management. To that end, multiple treatment options are available ranging from surgery to correct spinal deformity or neural compression to minimally invacivinterventional techniques where cement is injected into the bone to help strengthen the spine.

overview
Spinal infections are rare infections that can involve the intervertebral disc space, the vertebral bones, the spinal canal, or adjacent soft tissues. Conditions that weaken the immune system (diabetes mellitus, use of immunosuppressant medications cancer, malnutrition, history of organ transplant, and intravenous drug abuse) may predispose patients to spinal infection. Discitis refers to an infection of the intervertebral disc. Osteomyelitis refers to an infection of the vertebral bones in the spine. Infection may be caused by bacteria or fungal organisms, viruses, or can occur after a spinal procedure or surgery.

Generally, infections are bacterial and spread to the spine through the bloodstream. Bacteria may spread through the bloodstream into the vertebral discs and affect this area causing discitis. In some cases the infection or crumbling bones may push into the area to the nerves or spinal cord which may cause neurologic symptoms including numbness, weakness, tingling, pain, or bowel or bladder dysfunction.

The most common organism in spinal infection is from the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus which typically exists on human skin, followed by Escherichia coli. Most spine infections occur in the lumbar spine because of the blood supply to this region of the spine.

management
Treatment for most spinal infections includes a combination of intravenous antibiotic medications, bracing, and rest. Vertebral discs do not have a good blood supply so when bacteria is present, the body’s immune cells as well as antibiotic medications have difficulty reaching the infection site. IV antibiotic treatment is usually required for six to eight weeks. Bracing may be recommended to improve stability of the spine while the infection heals.

Surgical treatment is necessary if the infection cannot be controlled with antibiotics and immobilization or if there is symptoms of spinal cord or nerve compression. Surgery is used to treat the infection and improve pain, prevent worsening of spinal deformity, and relieve any neurologic compression.

Problems outside spine may be felt as back pain or referred to the back region. Main joints problems may be misinterpreted as spine problem. A painful shoulder problem radiates to the neck and may be confused as neck problem. Pelvic problems, trauma, knee and ankle joint problems affect the low-back in a retrograde manner and may closely mimic a back problem/sciatica. Bowel and bladder dysfunction or disease, dysfunction or disease of the uterus or reproductive system in females, may also be presented as low/mid-back pain

There are many painful disorders that affect the bones and joints of the entire body as a whole and that can also cause inflammation in the SI joints and affect the spine. These conditions include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, reactive arthritis, autoimmune disorder, anemia, certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies and hormonal imbalances and autoimmune disease.

Kids and teens may also experience back pain, stemming from something simple like aggressive play, a heavy backpack, physiological changes of the growth spurt, or rarely something more serious like a tumor or infection. Muscular back pain is by far the most common cause of back pain in children and adolescents, injuries include muscle strains and ligament strains, overuse injuries, problems with posture, and poor conditioning of the muscles of the back. The cause of back pain should be addressed along with simple temporary medications to relief the pain.

The bodily changes during pregnancy and then lactation make back pain a common development. Certain treatments are recommended for most pregnant women to prevent back pain. Apart from the increase in body weight, the depletion in calcium and various body minerals; during pregnancy, hormones are released in the woman’s body that allow ligaments to relax in order to prepare the body for childbirth. Relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and large joints of the lower body allows for increased and abnormal motion which causes increased stresses and wear.

Clinical depression can lead to increased back pain, while chronic back pain can cause depression, depression can also cause back pain. After all, unrelenting and continuous pain can interfere with sleeping and eating well, add to daily stress and fatigue, impede with being physically active, all of which increase susceptibility to low back pain, muscle strains and other injuries. Chronic back pain sufferers will often define their problem as strictly medical and related to the pain not the depressive symptoms. Treatment of depression associated with chronic back pain requires a specialized approach. In general, the pain and the depression should be treated simultaneously.

Exercise and playing sports is principally good for overall and back health. Nevertheless, there is always an associated risk of suffering some sort of body injury. Although the spine is very strong and resistant to trauma, almost any sport places some stress on it due to repetitive motions and/or added strain especially when the activity requires a lot of bending or sudden jerky movements. That is why it is equally important both for regular individuals and professional athletes to properly prepare, warm-up and stretch, for the extra strain that will be placed on the muscle and ligaments o always follow safety procedures in order to minimize the chance for serious injury.. Luckily, most sports injuries are minor and muscular in nature and will not create lasting or severe pain. Back and neck muscle pain can be agonizing, but is rarely a serious occurrence. When it occurs, it is important to be evaluated by a qualified physician and to avoid its progression.