Back Conditions
Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and will affect most people during their life. Many conditions contribute to back pain, among the most common of which is disc degeneration.
Back pain may be associated with pain, numbness and/or weakness in the legs when the underlying cause also irritates nearby nerves in the spine.
Lumbar Disc Degeneration
The disc is the soft cushioning tissue located between the vertebrae of the spine. When these discs degenerate they may protrude and irritate the nearby nerves contributing to pain, numbness and/or weakness in the legs.
Lumbar Canal Stenosis
Pain, numbness and weakness in the legs may also result from narrowing of the spinal canal leading to compression and irritation of the nerves. This may result from degeneration of the joints and soft tissues of the spine.
Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
When one vertebra slips forward over another, a condition known as spondylolisthesis, back and leg pain may be associated. This slipping forward may lead to narrowing of the spinal canal and compression and irritation of the nerves supplying the legs.
Treatments
The successful management of lower back conditions may incorporate a range of treatments, from conservative/medical management to spine surgery. Spine surgery procedures performed for lower back conditions include lumbar microdiscectomy, lumbar laminectomy and lumbar fusion.
Want to learn more about your condition?
Visit our patient resources page for a range of educational videos that delve further into the conditions most commonly affecting our patients. Any additional questions and concerns can be discussed during your consultation.