
Lower Back Conditions
Lumbar Sprain/Strain
Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis
Degenerative Disc/Joint Disease
Lumbar Sprain/Strain

The lumbar spine and its muscles are needed for almost all movements and activities. For this reason, the lumbar spine is prone to injury, and when an injury has been sustained, people have difficulty performing many activities. The prognosis is often good for a lumbar strain or sprain injury. More than 90% of patients completely recover from an episode of lumbar muscle strain or sprain within 4-6 weeks. However, low back sprain/strain injuries may develop into a chronic condition unless efforts are made to change habits that contribute to the problem.
The most common symptoms of a lumbar strain or sprain are:
- Pain around the low back and/or upper buttocks
- Low back muscle spasms
- Pain associated with motion
- Stiffness and soreness in the morning
- Spasm and pain with prolonged sitting
Lumbar Disc Herniation Injury

Wear and tear, also called disc degeneration, are the usual cause of a herniated disc. As we age, the discs in our back lose some of the fluid that helps them stay flexible. Those who sit for long periods of time throughout the day, lift heavily at work, or who are obese are statistically more likely to have disc injuries.
Symptoms may be one or all of the following:
- Back pain
- Leg and/or foot pain (sciatica)
- Numbness or a tingling sensation in the leg and/or foot
- Weakness in the leg and /or foot
Sciatica

Common causes of sciatica include:
- Lumbar disc herniations
- Piriformis entrapment syndrome
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Pregnancy
Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis

The pars interarticularis is a portion of the lumbar spine. It joins together the upper and lower zygapophysial joints of the lumbar vertebra, also called the facet joints. The pars is normal in the vast majority of children. There may be a hereditary aspect to spondylolysis, called congenital anomalies, where an individual may be born with thin vertebral bone and therefore may be vulnerable to this “pars defect” condition. Significant periods of rapid growth, excessive extension motions, and repetitive twisting motions may also encourage slippage.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain that usually spreads across the lower back and may feel like a muscle strain.
- Spasms that stiffen the back and tighten the hamstring muscles.
Note: Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis can be present without any obvious symptoms.
Degenerative Disc/Joint Disease

The disc itself does not have a blood supply, so if it sustains an injury it cannot repair itself the way other tissues in the body can. An otherwise insignificant injury to the disc can start a degenerative cascade whereby the disc wears out. Despite its rather dramatic label, degenerative disc disease (DDD) is fairly common, and it is estimated that at least 30% of people aged 30-50 years old will have some degree of disc space degeneration.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain that is centered on the lower back
- Lower back pain that has lasted more than six weeks
- A sensation which is often described as a painful ache
- Pain that is frequently worse when sitting
Stenosis of the Spine

Arthritis is the most common cause of spinal stenosis. In the spine, arthritis can result as the disk degenerates and loses water content. Over time, this bone overgrowth-called spurs-may narrow the space for the nerves to pass through. Another response to arthritis in the lower back is that ligaments around the joints increase in size. This also lessens space for the nerves. Once the space has become small enough to irritate spinal nerves, painful symptoms result.
Common symptoms include:
- Low back pain
- Sciatica symptoms
- Foot drop or leg weakness
- Less pain leaning forward with sitting