The main difference between intervertebral discogenic low back pain and myofasciitis is that intervertebral discogenic low back pain is a lesion of the intervertebral disc, while myofasciitis is a lesion of the soft tissues such as the fascia, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
1. Intervertebral discogenic low back pain: it refers to the chronic injury to the lumbar region caused by age or poor posture, which ruptures the annulus fibrosus of the lumbar intervertebral discs, dehydrates and degenerates the nucleus pulposus, and inflammation occurs in the intervertebral discs, thus causing pain in the lumbar region.
Intervertebral discogenic low back pain often manifests as chronic low back pain, which in severe cases affects daily activities such as standing, sitting and lying, as well as rest. It is aggravated by exertion and relieved by rest. Sometimes lower back pain is accompanied by pain in the buttocks and thigh roots, usually not involving the lower legs and feet below the knee.
Discogenic low back pain can be clearly seen on the imaging examination of intervertebral disc herniation.
2. Myofasciitis: It is a non-specific inflammatory lesion of the human shoulder and back tissues, fascia, muscles, tendons and ligaments caused by trauma, strain injury or cold.
Myofasciitis is mainly manifested as localized pain, skin numbness, muscle spasm and movement disorders. Acute patients consciously localized pain is severe, sometimes there is a tearing pain; chronic patients have more soreness and pain in the lesion area. Examination can be seen in the affected area has limited pressure pain, muscle atrophy. Some patients can find “fibroinflammatory” nodules. Soreness is present when pressure is applied.
Myofasciitis has no disc herniation on lumbar spine imaging.