Back and Leg Pain

There are a number of possible causes for back and leg pain. Here's a list with quick descriptions of some of the most common. 

Claudication This type of leg pain can be brought on by exercise, especially walking. Pain usually affects the calves but may also occur in the thighs. Claudication is the result of inadequate blood flow in the leg.

Degenerative disc disease This is often the cause of low back pain. It occurs as individuals age and their shock-absorbing spinal discs begin to break down and lose their flexibility. As they degenerate, the body reacts by creating bone spurs. These can put pressure on nerves, resulting in back pain.

Facet arthritis Facet joints are the links that hold the vertebra together. These joints are covered by cartilage that helps the bones in the back move smoothly. Arthritis, due to age or possibly injury, can cause pain in these joints.

Herniated Disc Also called a slipped or ruptured disc. It causes back pain when one of the discs between the vertebra in the spinal column break open or "slip" out of position. Herniated discs can happen anywhere in the spinal column, but usually occur in the lower back.

Muscle Strains, Sprains and Pulls Often occur in the legs or back due to athletic competition, overuse during exercise, or injury. These are also likely to happen to people who don't warm up or stretch sufficiently before competition or exercise.

Narrowing of the disc space As you'd suspect from the name, pain occurs because space between the discs in the back becomes narrower due to age or injury. This exposes nerves to pressure, triggering pain in the back, legs, or both.

Nerve root impingement This causes back pain because some type or portion of body tissue protrudes into space normally occupied by a spinal nerve root, causing herniation, inflammation and pain.

Osteoarthritis This is a form of arthritis that occurs when there's a breakdown or loss of cartilage in joints. It commonly affects the back and weight bearing joints of the legs.

Radicular pain This is pain that originates from a problem or injury in one place (usually somewhere in the spine) but radiates through the back and legs via the nerves.

Referred pain Similar to radicular pain in that the problem occurs in one area but is felt somewhere else.

Sciatica This type of pain starts in the hips and continues down the leg or legs. It results from irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the human body. Sciatic pain results from compression of one or more of the five sets of nerve roots in the lower back.

Scoliosis is also known as curvature of the spine. In non-mature individuals, pain sometimes occurs (but not always) because muscles in the back are straining to correct the curvature during growth. In adults, pain can occur as discs decay or arthritis sets in, which seems to happen more rapidly in people with this condition.

Spinal Stenosis Narrowing of the spinal canal in the back or neck. Pain occurs due to compression of the nerve roots.

Spondylolisthesis Pain occurs when a vertebra in the lower part of the spine slips forward and onto a bone below it. Spondylolysis This results from a defect in the connection between the bones in the spinal column, often leading to small stress fractures. Spondylolysis is a common cause of back pain.