Editing Back pain (section)

=== Degenerative disease ===
[[Spondylosis]], or degenerative arthritis of the spine, occurs when the intervertebral disc undergoes degenerative changes, causing the disc to fail at cushioning the vertebrae. There is an association between intervertebral disc space narrowing and lumbar spine pain.<ref name="Raa2015">{{cite journal | vauthors = Raastad J, Reiman M, Coeytaux R, Ledbetter L, Goode AP | title = The association between lumbar spine radiographic features and low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis | journal = Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism | volume = 44 | issue = 5 | pages = 571–85 | date = April 2015 | pmid = 25684125 | doi = 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2014.10.006 }}</ref> The space between the vertebrae becomes more narrow, resulting in compression and irritation of the nerves.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Lavelle WF, Kitab SA, Ramakrishnan R, Benzel EC | date = 2017 | chapter = Anatomy of Nerve Root Compression, Nerve Root Tethering, and Spinal Instability | title = Benzel's Spine Surgery | edition = 4th | pages = 200–205 | location = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | publisher = Elsevier | isbn = 978-0-323-40030-5 }}</ref>

[[Spondylolisthesis|Spondylolithesis]] is the anterior shift of one vertebra compared to the neighboring vertebra. It is associated with age-related degenerative changes as well as trauma and congenital anomalies.

[[Spinal stenosis]] can occur in cases of severe spondylosis, spondylotheisis and age-associated thickening of the ligamentum flavum. Spinal stenosis involves narrowing of the spinal canal and typically presents in patients greater than 60 years of age. [[Neurogenic claudication]] can occur in cases of severe lumbar spinal stenosis and presents with symptoms of pain in the lower back, buttock or leg that is worsened by standing and relieved by sitting.

[[Vertebral compression fracture]]s occur in four percent of patients presenting with lower back pain.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Jarvik JG, Deyo RA |url=https://jacobimed.org/public/Ambulatory_files/intern_ambulatory_block/spring/back%20pain%20imaging.pdf | title = Diagnostic evaluation of low back pain with emphasis on imaging | journal = Annals of Internal Medicine | volume = 137 | issue = 7 | pages = 586–97 | date = October 2002 | pmid = 12353946 | doi = 10.7326/0003-4819-137-7-200210010-00010 | s2cid = 860164 }}</ref> Risk factors include age, female gender, history of osteoporosis, and chronic [[glucocorticoid]] use. Fractures can occur as a result of trauma but in many cases can be asymptomatic.