Sciatica: Pain That Travels Down the Leg

Lumbar Disc Herniation

Also called: slipped disc, sciatica, herniated disc in the lower back, ruptured disc

When part of a disc in the lower back displaces and presses on a nerve root, causing sciatica: pain, numbness, or weakness down the leg.

Lumbar Radiculopathy

Also called: pinched nerve in the lower back, sciatica, trapped nerve in the lower back, nerve pain down the leg

A pinched or inflamed nerve root in the lower back that sends sharp, burning, or electric pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness down the leg.

Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis

Also called: narrowed nerve exit in the lower back, pinched nerve where it leaves the spine

A narrowing of the bony exit channel through which a lumbar nerve root leaves the spine, causing sharp, radiating leg pain, numbness, and sometimes weakness.

Lumbar Lateral Recess Stenosis

A focal narrowing of the subarticular zone of the lumbar spine that compresses a traversing nerve root, producing leg pain, numbness, and sometimes weakness along a specific dermatomal pattern.

Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

Also called: slipped vertebra, vertebra slipping forward, spinal slippage from wear and tear

A condition in which one lumbar vertebra slips forward on the one below due to age-related wear, narrowing the spinal canal and causing back pain and leg symptoms.

Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

Also called: slipped vertebra from a stress fracture, pars defect with slippage

A forward slip of one lumbar vertebra onto the one below, caused by a stress fracture in the small bony bridge at the back of the spine.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Also called: narrowed spinal canal in the lower back, lower back spinal stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back that crowds the nerves, causing leg pain and heaviness with standing and walking that eases when you sit or lean forward.

Cauda Equina Syndrome

Also called: cauda equina compression, nerve compression at the bottom of the spine

A spinal emergency caused by compression of the lumbar and sacral nerve roots, producing leg weakness, saddle numbness, and loss of bladder or bowel control that can become permanent without immediate treatment.

SI Joint Pain as a Spine Mimic

Also called: sacroiliac joint pain, si joint dysfunction, pain where the pelvis meets the spine

Pain from the SI joint, where your pelvis meets the base of your spine, is commonly mistaken for a lumbar disc or nerve problem.

Hip Osteoarthritis as a Spine Mimic

Also called: hip arthritis, worn out hip joint, wear and tear hip arthritis

Hip osteoarthritis frequently mimics lumbar spine conditions by producing groin, thigh, and buttock pain that overlaps with spinal nerve-root territories, making accurate diagnosis essential before any treatment is started.

Peripheral Neuropathy as a Spine Mimic

Also called: nerve damage in the hands and feet, numbness and burning in the feet

A disorder of the peripheral nerves that produces numbness, tingling, burning pain, and weakness resembling a spinal pinched nerve or cord compression.