Lumbar disc herniation. A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like interior of a disc bulges or leaks outward, irritating nearby muscles, joints, or nerve roots. A herniated disc typically causes sharp, stabbing pain down the backs of the legs (sciatica).

Lumbar degenerative disc disease. Wear-and-tear on the spinal discs that causes chronic low back pain.

Osteoarthritis. Spinal osteoarthritis consists of wear-and-tear on the facet joints, causing excess friction when twisting or bending the spine. This friction can lead to pinching nerve root and produce sciatica pain, stiffness around the joint.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The sacroiliac joint connects the hip bones (the ilia) to the sacrum, a triangular bone at the base of the spine. When the sacroiliac joint experiences too much or too little motion, it may cause pain in the hips, pelvis, and lower back.

Spondylolisthesis. Isthmic spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebral body slips forward straining the disc and joints at the spinal segment. Slippage is caused by a fracture in back of the vertebrae. Low back pain, stiffness, and leg pain, numbness, and/or weakness are common symptoms.

Spinal stenosis. Narrowing of the spinal canal due to a bone spur, herniated disc, or another irritant can cause leg pain and back pain.