Spinal problems are the most common cause of chronic pain in adults. For example, about 80% of adults will experience low back pain in their lifetime. Cervical pains and other spinal issues are also very common, which means that almost all adults will experience some spinal issues during their lifetime.
Spinal issues occur for many reasons, like trauma, muscle strain, bulging discs, nerve compression, osteoarthritis and many more. Even mood disorders like depression increase the risk of spinal problems.
Of course, frequent or persistent pain is one of the common signs of spinal problems, but there are many other signs indicating that all is not well with the spine. Many of those signs might be neglected as they are either mild or occur for various reasons. However, identifying them early as signs of spinal issues may help you seek timely treatment for spinal problems.
Below are some silent signs of spinal problems. They are not essentially silent, but they might be neglected, as someone may not relate them to spinal problems:
- Tingling or Numbness in Hands or Feet
Nerve compression is one of the primary causes of spinal pains. However, nerve compression does not always cause pain. Nerve compression may also influence sensory nerves, causing tingling sensations or numbness in the hands and feet.
These issues are known to be more common in those living with diabetes. However, in many adults, they might be rather due to spinal problems. - Morning Stiffness
With aging, many people become stiffer, and they lose their flexibility. However, spinal issues may also cause these issues. If this spinal stiffness improves during the day, especially with movement, it may instead point to spinal problems. So, do not assume; instead, seek medical attention if you experience such issues.
Apart from stiffness, some may also experience reduced range of motion, like difficulty bending or tying shoe laces or issues with turning their neck. - Unexplained Weakness in the Arms or Legs
Quite like nerve compression, which may cause pain or tingling sensations, it may also cause weakness of the arms or legs due to compression of the so-called motor nerves. In the initial stages, this compression might be mild and thus cause mild weakness that may go unnoticed. Moreover, people might assume that the weakness is due to other reasons. In the case of spinal problems, weakness is more likely to affect one of the sides, unlike weakness caused by systemic diseases. - Changes in Footwear Wear Pattern
Spinal issues may cause changes in the gait, which may result in changes in footwear wear pattern. This is quite a subtle sign, but it indicates spine or spinal misalignment changes. After careful examination, one may notice gait changes, too. - Difficulty Sleeping in Certain Positions
Again, spinal problems in their early stages might not cause pain but rather some discomfort that
may go unnoticed during the day. However, this may make sleeping difficult in certain positions.
Of course, there might be other silent signs of spinal problems, like pain radiating to the neck,
shoulders, face and other body parts. Identifying these signs of spinal problems may help get timely
medical attention and help prevent things from getting worse.
The Staten Island spine specialists at iOrtho are experts at treating spinal conditions with a long list of specialties. Contact iOrtho today to schedule an appointment and explore your treatment options.
References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK586768/
