SI JOINT in severe pain

[Health4good]

Hi, I wanted to ask if this could be from my back problems. I do have Radiculopathy of the cervical , thoracic and lumbar spine, Arthritis, and many bulging and a few herniated discs, especially the T10. My left hip hurts, but seems like to the left of my lower spine ( left butt cheek) is so bad it's hard to walk or put any pressure on it. It hurts to even touch it and is radiating down to knee and lower.  It's intense pain, that effects my sleep A LOT! Would this be from my back or the SI Joint itself. I'm on day 5 and it's only getting worse. Thank you greatly for any comments!!!  

[Health4good]

Well I was sent to the ER, they believe it is a herniated L5, getting MRI tomorrow. Extremely painful on both sides now, not just left now, and shooting PAIN down the butt checks to the back of leg. Calves are extremely tight , all  keep twitching and spasming uncontrollably. Is there a peak to the pain of a herniation? Or does chronic pain make it harder to notice that? I'm looking at the inch though:)

[philnoir]

Wonderful -- glad to have helped you understand the art of living with chronic pain.

[Health4good]

That is an excellent way too look at chronic pain. I'm going to use that, because it's so true!! We tend to look at the " I want the whole thing fixed, now" in terms of pain. But that is so on key to look at it as a process, "inches". Just  puts it in perspective, thank you for that!
I will absolutely try those stretches.  It feels good to stretch the hip. So helpful to know though that it might just not be one thing, I never thought of that! I will defiantly keep that in mind!
Thanks again for all of your help!! You do a great job of explaining everything too!

[philnoir]

Low back pain syndromes are often complex and have components that are additive in perceived pain.

Some of these causes are disc bulges, discogenic pain, stenosis, facet syndrome, and myofascial pain, and all can contribute to the pain syndrome.

It is usually very difficult to point to one problem and say -- there it is!

Piriformis syndrome may be one of your problems, but may not be the only cause of your sciatica.

The exercises are recommended for every 2-3 hours. Give them a try for a few weeks -- if your pain level drops to 1, then you've resolved it. If your pain level drops a point or two, then you've resolved some of the issue. If you get no relief, then you've ruled out piriformis syndrome.

Vince Lombardi said of football, "it's a game of inches." The same goes for winning against chronic pain. It's an incremental process of adding together multiple modes of pain relief. Your job, with the help of your medical professionals, is to find those modes of relief.

Best of luck in finding the correct diagnosis for your pain, and those treatment options that help in relieving pain.

[Health4good]

Well thank you for saying that, because it made me search more. I really appreciate your help!!The top pain is in line with an almost slightly swollen and extreme hurt to touch spot on my lower spine. I'm thinking the L5 -S1. Would that correspond with it? The "line" didn't connect yesterday, but like I said it just keeps getting more painful. It's like from my L5 strait across my left butt cheek. And the other line of pain is almost down the SI joint but a little left of it. That's why I'm confused. Can't wait to hear from the Dr. If it is periformus syndrome, does it heal quickly? Thank you again!!!

[philnoir]

Yep -- piriformis syndrome describes this condition and is one of the "other" causes of "deep buttocks pain" that I was referring to.

The piriformis muscle,  lies under the buttocks and is innervated by the lower lumbar and sacral root nerves. In certain situations it can compress these nerves, causing pain.

There are a few stretches that can be helpful (temporarily) in piriformis syndrome. You can find them easily by searching.

[Health4good]

Thank you so much for your response! I really appreciate it!! I called my Rheumatologist today and waiting to hear back. This is excruciating and just getting worse each day. I can no longer put any pressure on my left butt check at all. I did read something about Piriformis Syndrome. Really wondering if that's what it could be.

[philnoir]

Spine problems at L4-L5 or L5-S1 can cause pain in the buttocks, but so can other issues.

Sciatic pain from lumbar radiculopathy typically runs to the buttock and down to the knee, but it can present with different symptoms.

You'll need a medical exam to determine the exact cause of your pain.

Good luck.