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Back Pain FAQs: What are potential causes of lower back pain?

Lumbar Sprain / Strains – are very common causes of low back pain and can be caused by injury to the muscles, tendons or ligaments of the lower back. It can be caused by a sudden twisting or pulling movement or chronic overuse of lower back muscles. The treatment is usually conservative with rest, medications, ice or heat, or physical therapy.

Herniated / Bulging Discs – The disc is the cushion between the vertebrae of your spine. The disc can rupture and extend beyond its normal boundary. When a disc herniates/ bulges out the spinal nerves can become compressed possibly giving you pain or numbness down the leg. The treatment for these symptoms depending on the severity may require measures such as epidural or nerve block injections or possibly surgery including minimally invasive techniques.

Lumbar Facet Joint Syndrome – Facet joints are joints located on both sides of the spine at the back of each vertebra. The facet joints attach to the vertebrae above and below to form a unit allowing movement of the spine. Lumbar facet syndrome is usually felt in the lower back but pain can be referred causing sciatica-like symptoms. Facet pain can be treated with facet injections also know as medial branch nerve blocks or radio frequency ablation used for longer lasting relief of facet pain.

Spinal Stenosis – is narrowing of the spinal canal or where the nerve roots exit and can cause sciatica-like symptoms if the nerve roots are compressed. Disc problems and arthritis can be causes of spinal stenosis. Possible treatment options include epidural injections or surgery if conservative measures fail.

Sacroiliitis – is an inflammation of your sacroiliac joint. That's the joint where your hip joins the spine. Trauma or arthritis can lead to inflammation of the joint and give you symptoms that can mimic sciatica. One way to diagnose and treat this condition can be with an injection using x-ray guidance for more precise location.

Piriformis Syndrome – is a less common, sometimes controversial diagnosis used for a cause of buttock/ leg pain caused by the irritation of the piriformis muscle. This muscle is in your buttock region and usually lies above the sciatic nerve as it exits the spine and goes down your leg. If the muscle is inflamed or in spasm