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Lumbar (lower back) spine disease is usually caused by herniated intervertebral disks, abnormal growth of bony processes on the vertebral bodies (osteophytes), which compress spinal nerves, trauma, and narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal column around the spinal cord.
Symptoms of lumbar spine problems include:
Pain that extends (radiates) from the back to the buttocks or back of thigh
Pain that interferes with daily activities
Weakness of legs or feet
Numbness of legs, feet, or toes
Loss of bowel of bladder control
Review Date 11/16/2025
Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Peter and Sophie Pappas Endowed Chair, V-nee Yeh Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
