L4/L5 L5/S1 Herniated Disc

Back in January of this year I had injured my back lifting rugs. While lifting, I twisted my body to throw the rugs (60lbs) into a container about 5' high. I felt a pop and shooting pain in my lower back, butt and down my legs. Xrays were taken and one doctor said that I had a herniated disc L5/S1 with a possible bone spur? He also suggested that I had disc degeneration disease? After being referred to another doctor, this one stated that the xray were negative and that she didn't see a herniation? My question is why do I then have tingling feeling in the back of my legs going down and the outside of my feet hurt. I get shooting pains when twisting and going to sit/ get up? Please help me understand. Thank you in advance.

[atombomb]

Hows it going, im suffering from a disc herniation on L5/S1 degenerative disc disease and my symptoms are exactly what your experiencing, i did it by being crouched over for to long working on a dirt bike and stood up to quick and had the pop+all the shooting pain etc, keep in mind im 23 to. Id suggest to definitely see a better doctor or go to your regular care doctor and ask to be referred  to a nero surgeon or orthopedist, and mention to them what happened, and how the first doctor noted what they think you have. I had one doctor say i had a pulled muscle in my back, which in my opinion cannot cause the pain/burn/stabbing pain, that i experience, plus since i raced moto cross i new what sore/pulled muscle feel like, what im getting at is you prolly have something pretty bad going on in there, and a X ray will only tell if you have bone spurs, but very difficult to tell if you have a disc herniation/bulge so a MRI would be your best bet, i have gotten two since i have had this problem, and they really help to visually explain what is going on. You dont have to be a doctor to look at one and realize something doesnt look right there. Also the aspect since your having the pain down your leg really leads to a disc issue.

Keep in mind, 90% of people solve the disc issue through physical therapy, and rest, im the unlucky 10% that didnt have luck with that, and due to my age surgery is out. I wish you luck, and hope things get better.

[mendingback]

I had surgery on April 27 by a Neurosurgeon and Center doing minimal invasive surgery technique on L3-4 and L5-S1. I am now 95% pain free and now going to physical therapy to build muscle mass that have atrophied. I am 60, formally athletic but in the last 2 years had chronic back and sciatic pain going down from the back, hip, outside thigh, calf to numbness to all the toes on my right side. I tried chiropractic decompression (no insurance coverage and expensive, limited results), chiropractic series with massage, acupuncture, acupressure, myophasial massage, physical therapy (2 places, several months). Six months before surgery I was unable to walk, sit, stand upright without knife pains in the whole leg area. I took pain pills round the clock and went into depression. I decided to find an answer and went to 2 Orthopedic surgeons who only wanted to cut traditional surgery, a Pain specialist Doctor for en epidural for temporary relief and suggested again traditional surgery (I didn't like his attitude), when finally a friend suggested that I had a nerve problem and to see a Neurologist. The first one gave me about 5 minutes of his time and didn't order any additional tests except my xrays. The second Neurologist talked to me and ordered an MRI in both the lumbar and cervical. He gave me answers and explained my choices. He is the one who did my surgery along with a vascular Doctor. My first surgery ever. You must not take the word of one Doctor and do internet research for others. I didn't think that I would be up and walking with a cane 15 days after surgery. My condition may not be exactly like yours, I had a congenital bone complication but have faith. You will find a solution.