Difference in osteoarthritis vs lumbar sprain and strain?

Source of pain: Osteoarthritis creates pain through inflammation of degenerative discs and joints of the spine while sprains /strains are typically soft tissue injuries that heal or resolve over a short period of time while osteoarthritis tends to be more persistent.

Night and day: Osteoarthritis is wear and tear of the joints whereas a sprain or strain is simply a soft tissue injury.