Structural abnormalities of the spine

The most frequent abnormalities are: Lumbosacral transitional anomalies Scoliosis Hyperyphosis Hyperlordosis Rectification Spondylolysis Spondylolisthesis Vertebral arthritis Facet arthritis Spinal stenosis Fissure, protrusion and disc herniation Postoperative fibrosis Dislocation of the coccyx Atlantoaxial Dislocation Sprain Whiplash Syndrome

Abnormalities in the spine that may be detected through X-rays, computerized axial tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It was previously believed that spinal abnormalities would always cause back pain and, inversely, that pain was always due to a spinal anomaly. This is not the case. Even when a patient with back pain suffers any of these abnormalities, it should be proven that they are actually the cause of the pain before considering corrective surgery. Many are casual findings and individuals suffering these anomalies may have back pain for other reasons.