Knowra Low back pain Low back pain Pain or discomfort between the lower rib margin and the buttock creases, with or without pain radiating into a leg. It may arise from spinal structures or nearby tissues, and often has no single identifiable cause.
Lumbar spine : The five vertebrae between the thoracic spine and sacrum, together with their joints and supporting tissues. Its vertebrae, discs, joints, and ligaments are common sources of lower-back symptoms.
History and physical examination : Clinical assessment based on a person's symptoms, medical history, and examination findings. Most initial decisions depend on symptom patterns and examination rather than scans.
Sciatica : Pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, usually from the buttock down the back of the leg. Sciatica describes a radiating leg-pain pattern, not all pain located in the lower back.
Chronic pain : Pain that persists or recurs for longer than the expected period of healing. Persistent low-back pain can become a long-term condition requiring broader management.
Intervertebral disc : A fibrocartilaginous structure between adjacent vertebral bodies that helps distribute loads and permit spinal movement. Disc changes can contribute to pain, though imaging abnormalities are also common without symptoms.
Red flags (medicine) : Clinical features that raise concern for serious disease or require urgent evaluation. Certain symptoms, such as new bladder dysfunction, can signal a medical emergency.
Spinal stenosis : Narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve passages that can compress neural structures. It is a specific structural diagnosis that may cause back pain and leg symptoms.
Disability-adjusted life year : A measure of healthy life lost through illness, disability, or premature death. Low-back pain contributes substantially to disability burden worldwide.
Lumbar radiculopathy : Impairment of a lumbar or sacral spinal nerve root, often causing radiating pain, altered sensation, or weakness. Nerve-root irritation can make back pain travel into the leg.
Magnetic resonance imaging : An imaging method that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of internal structures. It is considered when serious causes are suspected or symptoms persist with concerning features.
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