Differential Diagnosis for Pain in the Back that Extends to the Front
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Musculoskeletal strain: This is often the most common cause of back pain that can radiate to the front, typically due to overuse, poor posture, or direct injury to the muscles or ligaments in the back.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Gastrointestinal issues: Conditions like pancreatitis, peptic ulcer disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause pain that is felt in the back and radiates to the front.
- Kidney stones or pyelonephritis: Infections or obstructions in the urinary tract can cause severe back pain that may extend to the front, especially if the stones are moving or if there is an infection involving the kidneys.
- Herniated disk: A herniated disk in the spine can cause back pain that radiates to the front, depending on the location and the nerves affected.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Aortic dissection or aneurysm: Although less common, a tear or dilation in the aorta can cause severe, tearing back pain that radiates to the front, which is a medical emergency.
- Pulmonary embolism: In some cases, a blood clot in the lungs can cause back pain that extends to the front, especially if the clot is large or located in a specific area of the lung.
- Myocardial infarction: Some heart attacks can present with back pain that radiates to the front, particularly if the inferior wall of the heart is involved.
Rare Diagnoses
- Spinal tumors: Tumors in the spine, whether benign or malignant, can cause back pain that radiates, including to the front, depending on their location and the structures they compress.
- Inflammatory diseases: Conditions like ankylosing spondylitis or other spondyloarthropathies can cause chronic back pain that may radiate to the front, though these are less common causes of acute pain.
- Referred pain from other sources: Occasionally, pain from other areas like the gallbladder (biliary colic) can be referred to the back and front, though this is less common and usually accompanied by other specific symptoms.