Younger adults are more likely to suffer from disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or acute fractures. In older adults, spinal stenosis, metastatic disease, and osteopenic compression fractures are more common. Don't ignore back pain in children. Radicular Signs and Symptoms - Often associated with disc herniation or spinal stenosis. Intraspinal pathology or other entities associated with cord or root impingement may be responsible.
Herpes zoster is a rare cause of lumbar radiculopathy with pain preceding the skin eruption.
Psychogenic - Psychological disturbances play an important role in some patients with chronic low back pain disorders. Nevertheless, one must be wary of real pathology, even in such patients. Prior History of Back Pain - Perhaps the most important risk factor for future pain, especially with frequent disabling episodes and short intervals between episodes. The incidence of disabling pain actually declines after age 60. Disc degeneration with aging includes loss of water content, annular tears, and myxomatous changes, nuclear material.