What Causes Severe Lower Back Pain In A Teenager?

Posted on Tue, 14 Jun 2016

Question: I'm a 19 year old college student, and since December I've had back pain. It's gradually increased and has become consistent for the past month and a half. The pain is the worst in my lower back, immediately to the left of my spine. I've been to the doctor and my x-rays look completely normal, and all of my blood tests came back normal. The only borderline results were my calcium levels at 10.3, and my sedimentation rate at 21. We're not sure what's causing the pain, but it only seems to be getting worse. I've been very tired and have had a difficult time focusing. I've also been experiencing random nerve pain in my back, that has rarely shot down my left leg as well. I am also insulin resistant in case that could cause any of this. I've been prescribed naproxen, but it doesn't get rid of the pain, it just seems to make sure it doesn't get any worse. Cancer does run in my family, and I'm worried with what I've researched if that could be a cause. My doctor told me that I'm too young to worry about cancer though, but I just can't relax until I have a second opinion.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Need a little help from you ma'am, pls answer these 6 questions, thx

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Firstly, it is not cancer for sure, the symptoms you are displaying are nothing like how cancer presents and will not in anyway lead to a suspicion of cancer.

Now, if you don't mind, I would like to ask you a few questions so I can better grasp to probable cause for your symptoms:

1. Have you recently gained or lost weight?

2. Has your physical activity changed recently? Like may be you have been more physically active; or have been sitting or lying down for longer durations of time?

3. Strenuous exercises?

4. Does the lower back pain radiate lower down the back of your thigh down until the knee?

5. Please share your weight and height.

6. Any recent injuries to the back or pelvis?

I hope you find my response helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (12 minutes later)

I appreciate your willingness to help. As for the questions, I've gained about 40 pounds about three years ago. I began going to the gym before the pain started becoming consistent, and no longer can because of the pain, so more recently I've been sitting for longer time periods. When I was going to the gym, I avoided strenuous exercises since I was trying to build muscle slowly to avoid injury. The pain usually stays in my lower back, but there have been times where I've stood up and the pain drastically increased and it's gone down my leg, but never past my knee. When the pain is in my leg as well, it usually doesn't last for more than a day. My height is 5'3", and my weight is around 200, but for the past three years it has fluctuated between 190 and 207. I have not had any injuries to my back or pelvis.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Strongly suspecting lumbago or sciatica; please read my instructions below

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

I see a pattern here which could be associated with either of the 2 conditions called Sciatica or lumbago.

Lumbago is a condition that presents predominantly with lower back pain that is associated with spine related abnormalities and can be triggered with increased physical activity or even changes/fluctuations in weight (both of which are present in you). But this condition can also present in association with another condition called sciatica.

Sciatica can presents primarily with pain in the sciatic nerve which passes from the lower back until the knee, and does not pass the knee. But the pain is more intense in the leg region, yet is present in the lower back as well, but more intense in the leg region as I mentioned.

Both these conditions are treated in the following ways:

+Elastic bandage to be used around the thing until mid-calf region
+The use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): Like ibuprofen, nimesulide, tylenol, etc.
+Rest whenever possible
+Mild activity is recommended. Do not sit in one place because of the pain, get up and be active. Although strenuous exercise is not recommended, I would recommend staying active and not being seated for long durations of time, especially not low chairs
+Apply a warm compress to the region as many times as possible and tolerated
+Lie on a straight and flat surface, you will feel the relief in pain if you are on the right kind of surface; if not, you will feel the pain
+Weight loss through a diet regimen, as your BMI is quite high for your height and this could quite possibly be the reason why your lumbago or sciatica has been triggered

I hope you find my response both informative and helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.

Best wishes.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar