Differential Diagnosis for Lower Back Pain when Lifting Legs
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Muscle strain: This is the most common cause of lower back pain when lifting legs, as it can put a significant amount of stress on the muscles in the lower back.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Herniated disk: A herniated disk can cause pain in the lower back, especially when lifting or bending, as the disk can put pressure on the surrounding nerves.
- Degenerative disk disease: This condition can cause pain in the lower back, especially when lifting or bending, as the disks between the vertebrae can become worn and damaged.
- Spondylosis: This condition can cause pain in the lower back, especially when lifting or bending, as the vertebrae can become worn and damaged.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses:
- Cauda equina syndrome: This is a serious condition that can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and legs, and can be caused by a herniated disk or other conditions that put pressure on the spinal nerves.
- Spinal stenosis: This condition can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and legs, and can be caused by a narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Osteoporotic compression fracture: This condition can cause severe pain in the lower back, especially when lifting or bending, and can be caused by a fracture of the vertebrae due to osteoporosis.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Spinal infection: This is a rare but serious condition that can cause pain, fever, and weakness in the lower back, and can be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection of the spine.
- Spinal tumor: This is a rare condition that can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and legs, and can be caused by a tumor that grows on the spine or spinal nerves.