Inflammatory Back Pain: 5 Things to Know
Seen in ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and other spondyloarthropathies, inflammatory back pain behaves very differently from a strain.
Inflammatory back pain can be seen with conditions called spondyloarthropathies, including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, IBD-associated arthritis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, and reactive arthritis.
This type of back pain is different from acute mechanical back pain, which can occur after trauma, overuse, or injury, typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks, and may respond to rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and steroid injections.
1. It may occur in individuals younger than 40 years of age.
2. It may radiate from the low back into the buttocks and pelvic region (the sacroiliac joint).
3. Back pain is worse in the middle of the night, waking you from sleep, and in the early morning.
4. It improves with movement and exercise.
5. It is chronic, lasting more than 3 months, and responds well to NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen. Biologic medications may be needed for treatment.
It is important that your doctor evaluate the specific type of back pain you have.
Dr. Maggie Cadet, MD