Back and leg pain often occur simultaneously. According to the Mayo Clinic website, any condition that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve--the body's largest nerve--can cause sciatica, or pain that radiates into the leg. There are numerous low back conditions that cause low back pain in conjunction with sciatica. Back and leg pain may be caused by traumatic injuries, degenerative changes in the spine or certain medical conditions. Most back and leg pain responds well to conservative care methods, although surgical intervention may be required in some cases.
Spinal Tumor
Spinal tumors can cause back and leg pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, a spinal tumor or mass is a growth of cells that surround the spinal cord. Tumors that originate in the spine are known as primary spinal tumors, whereas cancer cells that migrate to the spine from another location in the body are called secondary spinal tumors. The NIH states that spinal tumor-related symptoms largely depend on the location, tumor type and a person's overall state of health. Common signs and symptoms associated with spinal tumors include abnormal sensations or loss of sensation in the extremities, back pain that gets progressively worse, back pain that extends to the hip, leg or feet, changes in bowel and bladder function and leg muscle weakness. According to the NIH, as spinal tumors in the lower back enlarge, they can affect nerve roots--offshoots of the spinal cord--and cause back and leg pain.
Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis can cause back and leg pain, especially in the elderly. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or AAOS, states that the structure of a person's spine changes over time. Some spinal changes involve a narrowing of the spinal canal. Narrowing of the spinal canal is called spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is particularly problematic in the lumbar spine or lower back. Osteoarthritis-induced degenerative spinal changes are the leading cause of spinal stenosis. As the space around the spinal cord narrows--due to encroaching osteophytes or bone spurs--pressure is placed on the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots. According to the AAOS, pressure on these structures can cause low back and leg pain, along with numbness, tingling and weakness in the legs. A person with lumbar spinal stenosis may experience a reduction in symptomatic pain or discomfort by leaning forward, as this increases the amount of space around the spine and spinal nerve roots.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis can cause back and leg pain. According to the Cleveland Clinic, spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition in which one vertebra slides ahead of the vertebra below. If the vertebra shifts too much, it can put pressure on a spinal nerve root, causing back and leg pain. The Cleveland Clinic states that spondylolisthesis is most common in the lumbar spine. Although spondylolisthesis may not cause any observable problems in some individuals, possible signs and symptoms of the condition include low back and leg pain, numbness and tingling in the feet and muscle spasms in the posterior thigh. Spondylolisthesis-related back pain may feel similar to a low back muscle strain. There are six different types of spondylolisthesis: congenital, isthmic, degenerative, traumatic, pathological and post-surgical. According to the Cleveland Clinic, spondylolisthesis is the primary cause of back pain among teenagers.
