Lower Back/Leg Pain

[Duk]

I haqve been having pain in my lower back that goes down my legs for sometime now.  The pian use to be off and on but now seems to be more frequent.  Sometimes when I try to get out of a chair or am walking the pain will be sharp and will feel like my hip is going out it shoots down my legs and I can hardly move.  It used to be only when I was walking but know I feel it when I am sitting/driving.  It is more on the left side bu happens on both sides.  Someone said it could be siatica.  Does this sound possible?  I am 34 yrs old.  What would be your recommended course of action.  I have tried exercises but does not help.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Doug:

Yes, it might be sciatica, but certainly before treatment, you will need to know for sure.  I would suggest seeing a neurologist and verify what is going on.  Just excercises might not help the problem, however directed excercises along with lifestyle changes may be curative.  Pain that shoots down the leg or to oneside is most likely radiculopathy which may be from a disc or neuronal foramen changes.  A good neurological exam and MRI should make the diagnosis.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Duk]

I  forgot to mention that sometimes the pain/numbness will go into my shoulder and arm.   When I mow grass on a riding lawn mower I will get a real tight pain in between my sholders. Also in the morning my feet will hurt when I first get out of bed and then periodically during the day I will have sharp pains in the sides mostly while walking. Thanks for your help.

[Duk]

I forgot to mention that sometimes the pain/numbness will go into my shoulder and arm. When I mow grass on a riding lawn mower I will get a real tight pain in between my sholders. Also in the morning my feet will hurt when I first get out of bed and then periodically during the day I will have sharp pains in the sides mostly while walking. Thanks for your help.

[Cassandra for CCF]

I would like your opinion based on the interpretation on my lumbar spine. Prior to this lumbar MRI, I had a thoracic MRI showing a small hemagioma at the T12 I believe. I have had problems with numbness not just in my lower legs, it has progressed to my hands, upper midlevel back, buttocks,
lower abdomin (abdomen) and pelvic area. Here is the interprretation is w/o contrast: T1 sagittal and axial spin echo, T2 sagittal and axial fast spin echo, axial images were also obtained through the sacral plexus perpendicular to the long axis of the sacrum. There is a mild diffuse disc bulge at T12-L1 which is more prominent within and to the right of midline than to the left. This does
not appear to exert significant mass effect on the thecal sac or nerve roots. The L1-2 level is unremarkable. There is a minimal diffuse L2-3 disc bulge without focal hernation or significant spinal stenosis. There is bilateral facet joint DJD without neural foramen or lateral recess stenosis. There is a      minimal L3-4 disc bulge without focal herniation or significant stenosis. Again, there is bilateral facet joint DJD. There is no evidence that this is associate with significant neural foramen or lateral recess stenossis. At L4-5 there is a diffuse disc bulge which in conjunction with bilateral facet joint
hypertophy is associated with mild spinal stenosis. There is also stenosis of the lateral recesses on both sides at this level. At L5-S1 there is diffuse disc bulges accompanied by marginal osteophytes and there is also bilateral facet joint DJD. There is no evidence of significant spinal stenosis at this level but
there appears to be left sided lateral recess stenosis with possible compression of the left S1 root. Images obtained through the sacrum demonstrate no lesions along the course of the iliolumbar trunks or involving the sacral plexus on either side.
Do you see anything in this MRI to cause my numbness or demyelation of the lower right limb? Can you see anything that
can cause lower limb latencies with the SSEP test left greater than right on latency? Do you see any indication in this MRI of anything that could cause atrophy of the right foot and toes? I had a emg on the lower right limb prior to numbness on lower left and it stated demeylation of lower right limb consistant of radiculopathy.  I had problems years ago with lower back, but cleared up.  If I dont have pain running down my legs, what would cause my meyelin to disappear? The doctor keeps saying it is not my back because my mri's are ok, I am just frustrated.  I have also lost partial vibration sense. Please let me know what your opinion is. I know you cannot see the films, just hoping you can give me your best shot with this printed mri interp.  Thank you so much for your time.

[Joe Owens]

i have had lower back sugery and was in a car accident after surgery i still have pain in my arms and leggs my doctor wont refer me to my nero surgon but wants to do a ssep test i have no idea what that is  you can send me e-mail at nagriv_2000***@**** thank you