Differential Diagnosis for Low Back Pain Radiating to Upper Abdomen
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Musculoskeletal strain: This is often the most common cause of low back pain radiating to the upper abdomen, typically resulting from overuse, poor posture, or direct injury to the muscles and ligaments in the lower back.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Herniated lumbar disc: A condition where the soft inner gel of the disc leaks out through a tear in the outer layer, potentially irritating nearby nerves and causing pain that can radiate to the abdomen.
- Degenerative disc disease: Wear and tear on the spinal discs, which can cause pain in the lower back that may radiate to the upper abdomen due to the compression or irritation of nerves.
- Spondylosis or spondylolisthesis: Conditions involving defects in the vertebrae or the slipping of one vertebra over another, which can cause nerve compression leading to radiating pain.
- Kidney stones or pyelonephritis: Although primarily affecting the kidneys, severe cases can cause pain that radiates to the lower back and potentially the upper abdomen.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm: A potentially life-threatening condition where the aorta enlarges abnormally, which can cause severe back pain radiating to the abdomen.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back.
- Peptic ulcer disease: While primarily causing abdominal pain, severe cases can radiate pain to the back.
- Ovarian torsion or ectopic pregnancy (in females): Emergency conditions that can cause severe lower abdominal pain that may radiate to the back.
Rare Diagnoses
- Spinal tumors: Both benign and malignant tumors can cause back pain that radiates, including to the abdomen, due to nerve compression.
- Inflammatory spondyloarthropathies (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis): Chronic inflammatory diseases that can cause back pain and stiffness, potentially radiating to the abdomen.
- Osteoporotic compression fractures: More common in older adults or those with osteoporosis, these fractures can cause sudden back pain that may radiate.
- Referred pain from thoracic spine conditions: Conditions affecting the thoracic spine can sometimes cause pain that is referred to the lower back and abdomen.