Back cramps or spasms

What causes it?

The most common causes of back cramps or spasms are chronic back pain, sprain or strain, and lumbago. Other possible causes, such as osteoarthritis, are more rare.

What symptoms are related?

Within all the people who go to their doctor with back cramps or spasms, 80% report having back pain, 28% report having low back pain, and 23% report having leg cramps or spasms.

What might my doctor prescribe?

Common Tests and Procedures

Patients with back cramps or spasms often receive plain x-ray, urinalysis, intravenous fluid replacement, kidney function tests, liver function tests, physical therapy exercises, cardiac monitoring and other therapeutic procedures .

Common Medications

The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with back cramps or spasms include cyclobenzaprine, diazepam (valium), orphenadrine (flexon), methocarbamol, baclofen, tizanidine, metaxalone (skelaxin), nalbuphine (nubain), benzocaine-cetylpyridinium topical, aspirin / caffeine / orphenadrine, quinidine, black cohosh extract (black cohosh) and chlorzoxazone .

Who is at risk?

Groups of people at highest risk for back cramps or spasms include age 30-44 years age 45-59 years. On the other hand, age 1-4 years almost never get back cramps or spasms.