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Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek orthopaedic care. It can come on suddenly after lifting, twisting, or falling, or it may develop gradually over time. For some patients, lower back pain improves with rest and activity changes. For others, it can interfere with walking, sleeping, working, exercising, or enjoying daily life.

Understanding the cause of lower back pain is the first step toward finding the right treatment.

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

One of the most common causes of lower back pain is a muscle strain or ligament sprain. This can happen after heavy lifting, repetitive bending, poor posture, sudden movement, or overuse. Pain from a strain may feel like aching, tightness, stiffness, or muscle spasms.

Another common cause is a herniated disc. Spinal discs act as cushions between the bones of the spine. When a disc bulges or ruptures, it can irritate nearby nerves and cause lower back pain, leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Degenerative disc disease can also contribute to chronic lower back pain. Over time, discs can lose height, hydration, and flexibility, leading to stiffness, inflammation, and discomfort with movement.

Arthritis of the spine may cause lower back pain when joints in the spine become inflamed or worn down. Arthritis can also contribute to bone spurs and narrowing around the nerves.

Sciatica, also called lumbar radiculopathy, happens when a nerve in the lower back becomes irritated or compressed. This can cause pain that travels from the lower back into the hip, buttock, or leg.

Another possible cause is spinal stenosis, which occurs when spaces in the spine narrow and place pressure on nerves. Patients may notice pain, numbness, weakness, or cramping that worsens with standing or walking.

When Should You See a Spine Specialist?

You should consider scheduling an appointment if lower back pain lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, travels down your leg, causes numbness or weakness, or limits your normal activities. You should also seek care after an injury or fall, or if pain is severe enough to interfere with sleep, work, or mobility.

Spine Care at Ozark Orthopaedics

At the Ozark Orthopaedics Spine Center, patients receive personalized care from an outstanding team of spine doctors in Northwest Arkansas, including George “BJ” W. Deimel, MD, Mark L. Miedema, MD, and Samuel “Logan” Patton, MD. The Spine Center treats many back and neck conditions, including lower back pain, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, sciatica, spinal stenosis, arthritis of the neck and back, and neuropathic pain.

Treatment may include physical therapy for the spine, spinal injections, regenerative medicine, rhizotomy, or spinal cord stimulator evaluation, depending on your diagnosis and goals.

If lower back pain is keeping you from moving comfortably, do not wait to get answers. Schedule an appointment with Ozark Orthopaedics today and let our spine specialists help you find the right path toward relief.