Too Painful to Lie on Back

About the Symptom

This describes when someone is unable to maintain lying on back position due to pain.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Too painful to lie on back

Possible Causes

Generally, Too painful to lie on back can be related to:

• Vertebral Compression Fracture

  A fracture of the spine bones, often occurring in older patients with osteoporosis (bone weakening). It can be caused by small amounts of force, such as falling on one's buttocks or lifting heavy objects. Some patients may dismiss it as a normal backache, only to be diagnosed later when an X-ray is performed.

• Lumbar Vertebrae Disk Herniation

  Also known as a slipped disc, this condition is characterized by injury to the cushioning discs between the spinal bones in the lower back (lumbar vertabrae) that causes the disc to bulge outward or rupture. The disc bulge puts pressure on adjacent nerves, which causes pain, leg weakness, or numbness. Poor posture, exercising with incorrect form, or occasionally benign non-lifting movement are some possible causes of this disorder.

• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

  Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back. Stenosis, meaning narrowing, can put pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves that connect the spinal cord to muscles.

• Lumbar Spondylosis
• Bone Tumor
• Spinal Canal Stenosis
• Osteoporosis
• Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones)

• Hypophosphatasia (HPP)

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Does lying on your back make the pain worse?
• How long have you had pain when lying on your back this time?

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