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What Is A Sharp Stabbing Pain In My Back When I Sneeze?

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Posted on Fri, 7 Feb 2014
Twitter Fri, 7 Feb 2014 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 6 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : I keep getting a cramp type in top left side of my back occasionally when I sneeze, breathe cough it's quite a sharp stabbing pain I've had a X-ray and chest n lungs all clear
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Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Prolapse of the disc Detailed Answer: Hi You are giving a typical picture of a intervertebral disc bulge whenever you cough or sneeze. The disc is pushing out the ligaments that it is contained with in. The disc bulge is impinging on the nerves that pass through that part of the spine. These nerves will supply the muscles around that part of the back causing a spasm / cramp. This disc would most often gets back into its place in young people. However in people who have recurrences you need to get an MRI of the spine after careful examination by the spine surgeon. Hope this helps you taking the next step by asking your GP for a referral to spine surgeon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
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Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2086 Questions

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What Is A Sharp Stabbing Pain In My Back When I Sneeze?

Brief Answer: Prolapse of the disc Detailed Answer: Hi You are giving a typical picture of a intervertebral disc bulge whenever you cough or sneeze. The disc is pushing out the ligaments that it is contained with in. The disc bulge is impinging on the nerves that pass through that part of the spine. These nerves will supply the muscles around that part of the back causing a spasm / cramp. This disc would most often gets back into its place in young people. However in people who have recurrences you need to get an MRI of the spine after careful examination by the spine surgeon. Hope this helps you taking the next step by asking your GP for a referral to spine surgeon.