What condition is characterized by pain that worsens with sitting and backward flexion?

The condition characterized by pain that worsens with sitting and backward flexion is a herniated lumbar disc. This condition occurs when the intervertebral disc's nucleus pulposus protrudes through the annulus fibrosus, leading to compression or irritation of nearby spinal nerves.

Sitting increases intradiscal pressure, which can exacerbate pain from a herniated disc. Additionally, backward flexion, or extension of the spine, may further aggravate the existing herniation by increasing pressure on the nerves and surrounding structures. Patients often report that such positions lead to worsening pain localized to the lower back and potentially down the legs if nerve root involvement occurs.

Other conditions, while they might have overlapping symptoms, do not specifically manifest with pain worsening in these scenarios as distinctly as a herniated lumbar disc does. Sciatica typically refers to pain along the sciatic nerve path, which may be present in a herniated disc but is broader and can arise from various other issues. Osteoarthritis commonly presents with stiffness and localized pain but does not specifically correlate with worsening pain during sitting and backward flexion. Radiculopathy refers to symptoms that arise due to nerve root compression but does not directly imply the specific positioning-related aggravation seen in her