Should Crohn's disease cause axial back pain beyond gut symptoms?

[AaronR]

I’ve been managing my Crohn’s for years, but lately I’m noticing a persistent, dull ache in my lower back that just won’t let up, even when my gut symptoms are quiet. I’m starting to wonder if this is related to the inflammatory process itself, maybe something like axial involvement, rather than just a pulled muscle from daily life. Has anyone else experienced this kind of shift in where your disease seems to manifest?

[KevinMP]

I have Crohn's too and a dull back ache showed up after a few years even when the gut symptoms were quiet. I wondered if it was axial involvement or just posture and stress. My doctor suggested imaging and then physical therapy and a slow return to activity. It helped a bit but the pain still comes and goes.

[SamuelH]

I tried to push through and kept a simple diary for a while noting when the pain was worse and what I did. Heat helps for a bit but the ache moves around and nothing fixed it.

[RonaldM]

Have you talked to a clinician about imaging to check for axial involvement in the spine?

[MasonW]

Sometimes a long quiet stretch at the end of the day makes it feel different than a gut flare and I drift a bit before it settles. I keep hoping the next week will be different but it stays there.