Back pain is a very common symptom and nearly everyone has had some experience with it. In many cases, back pain is accompanied by pain in the leg or hip. There are many causes of pain in the leg and lower back, most of which are uncomplicated and resolve with conservative treatment. There are, however, some serious causes of these two symptoms and any similar condition that does not improve after a few days or progresses should be diagnosed by a doctor.
Herniated Disc
The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae and soft, spongy discs that separate these bones. Either through traumatic injuries, or through chronic poor posture, the spinal discs can break down and herniate out beyond the normal boundaries and put pressure on nearby sensitive nerves. When this pressure is applied to the nerve, symptoms of local and radiating pain, numbness and tingling, muscle weakness and changes in sensation may be noticed in the lower back and down the leg. When these symptoms occur in the back and leg it is referred to as sciatica, according to the Mayo Clinic
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage and bone surfaces in the joints break down through chronic wear and tear. Joints are lined with articular cartilage, which allows for smooth movement. When it is destroyed, joint surfaces become rough and movement becomes stiff and painful, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, but is common in the lower back, sacroiliac joints, hips and knees. Symptoms include localized and referred pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion.
Bone Spur
Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are projections that grow off the edges of normal bone in response to joint stress. According to CNN Health, bone spurs are not painful by themselves but can put pressure on nearby nerves of the lower back and cause pain, tingling, loss of sensation and pain that radiates down the leg. Treatment for symptomatic bone spurs is usually conservative and includes physical therapy, ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and exercise, but occasionally a bone spur will need to be removed surgically.
Tumor
One of the possible causes of both back pain and sciatic pain that radiates down the leg is a spinal tumor. Tumors are abnormal growths that can become large enough to put pressure on the nerves that exit the lumbar spine. According to Spine Universe, spinal tumors are rare and can be either malignant or benign and still cause symptoms of back and leg pain.
