Other conditions that can cause back pain include:

 
• Disc Injury Spinal Stenosis  
• Osteoarthritis of the Spine  
• Spondylolisthesis  
• Ankylosing Spondylitis  
• Osteoporosis And Fractures Of The Lumbar Spine  
• Pregnancy  
• Fibromyalgia

Disc Injury
A herniated disc, also called a “slipped disc,” is a disc that bulges out from its position between two vertebrae. There are four types of disc herniation:

 
• Disc bulge or protrusion results when the disc bulges out from between two vertebrae without rupturing its surrounding envelope, the annulus fibrosis.  
• Disc prolapse results when the inner jelly-like central part of the disc ( the nucleus pulposis), seeps into the outermost fibers of the surrounding envelope, the annulus fibrosis.  
• Disc extrusion results when a tear occurs in the surrounding envelope of the disc, and the inner jelly-like central part of the disc leaks out of the disc.  
• Sequestrated disc is the term used when disc fragments are separated from the disc, coming to lie well outside the disc space in the spinal canal.

A herniated disc has the potential to cause compression against a nerve, producing what is called radicular pain. Radicular pain is also called sciatica. This pain is caused by compression of the nerves as they exit the spinal column. The pain may be felt radiating into the buttock or down the leg, and may be accompanied by a sensation of numbness or tingling in the leg.

Spinal Stenosis
Stenosis means a constriction or narrowing. Spinal stenosis refers to narrowing of the spinal canal, a condition usually affecting people over age 50.

It results mostly from degenerative changes, or osteoarthritis, in the spine, particularly from bony formations called osteophytes, which form around the joints of the spine. These bony overgrowths, together with thickening of the ligaments inside the spinal canal, narrow the available space in the spinal canal for the spinal cord and its nerves, and may place pressure on these structures.

The condition may cause back pain and pain in the thigh or leg, that often is made worse with long periods of standing or walking, particularly downhill, as well as weakness in the legs.

When symptoms are severe and persistent, and do not respond to conservative therapy, surgical treatment may be necessary to take pressure off affected nerves.

Osteoarthritis Of The Spine
Osteoarthritis refers to joint damage that results from “wear and tear.” The cartilage (the tissue that lines the joints) between the vertebrae may become increasingly damaged. This may affect a single joint or any number of the joints of the spine. These changes to the joints are also known as degenerative changes.

The main features of osteoarthritis of the spine are the development of bony outgrowths, called spurs, along the junction of vertebral bodies and discs. This is believed to be a natural result of stresses applied to the spine throughout life. Other features are narrowing of the joint due to the loss of cartilage between the affected vertebrae, and sometimes small areas of erosion of the bone beneath the joint.