Numerous spinal conditions can cause leg pain. According to the Spine Universe website, leg pain that's caused by problems in the lumbar spine is a common complaint among people with lower back pain. Spine-related leg pain is often a sharp, electrical shock-like pain that radiates down the back of the thigh. In some cases, the pain radiates into the calf and the foot on the affected side. A person with spine-related leg pain should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional.
Herniated Lumbar Disc
A herniated lumbar disc can cause spinal leg pain. According to the Mayfield Clinic, one of the world's largest neurosurgical practices, a herniated lumbar disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus, or the jelly-like substance in the middle of a lower back spinal disc, ruptures through the disc's fibrous outer ring and impinges or irritates a spinal nerve root. Spinal nerve roots are offshoots of the spinal cord that exit the spinal column through a hole known as the intervertebral foramen. Most lumbar disc herniations occur on one side of the spine, in a posterior and lateral direction, or to the back and side of an intervertebral disc. Common signs and symptoms associated with a herniated lumbar disc include low back pain that radiates down one leg; pain in the affected area that's worse with bending, lifting, sitting or twisting; numbness and tingling in the leg or foot; and muscle spasms in the back or leg.
Degenerative Joint Disease
Degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis, can cause spinal leg pain. MayoClinic.com states that osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, which means that it usually gets worse over time. Although degenerative joint disease can affect any joint in the body, it most commonly targets the joints in the hands, hips, knees, lower back and neck. Degenerative joint disease is characterized by the wearing down of joint cartilage, or the slippery coating on the end of bones, that helps compose a joint. In the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease can cause osteophytes, or bone spurs, to form. If the bone spurs affect the nerve roots exiting the spine, pain in the posterior leg, calf and foot can manifest, causing significant discomfort and an impaired ability to perform activities of daily living. According to MayoClinic.com, joint injuries, advanced age and obesity can increase a person's likelihood for degenerative joint disease.
Spinal Tumors
A spinal tumor can cause spinal leg pain. According to the MedlinePlus website, a spinal tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in or around the spinal cord. Spinal tumors can be one of two possible types: tumors that originate in the spinal tissue or tumors that spread to the spine from other parts of the body. Tumors that begin in the spine are called primary spinal tumors, whereas tumors that begin elsewhere in the body and metastasize to the spine are called secondary spinal tumors. As a spinal tumor grows, it can affect a person's blood vessels; vertebrae, or spinal bones; the sac that surrounds the spinal cord; the spinal nerve roots; and the spinal cord itself. If a spinal tumor compresses a nerve root or the spinal cord, it can cause such leg symptoms as pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in one or both legs, depending on the location of the tumor and the nervous tissue it affects. The MedlinePlus website states that spinal tumors should be treated as soon as possible to avoid life-threatening health complications.
