Lower back, hip, thigh and leg pain

[Jewel529]

I am a 46, female, in good health and I walk several times a week. About 4 weeks ago while on vacation and after carrying many heavy suitcases up 2 flights of stairs, I experienced low back pain on my left side that radiated across to the iliac crest down to my hip, down my buttock, along the side of my thigh, and down my leg to my foot. The pain is a burning, tingling pain, but no numbness. I also had weakness in my leg. My lower back was really sore right around the SI joints. This lasted for about 7 days and then it was gone. Two days ago the same symptoms started again. This time it is much worse. I can't get comfortable when I sleep. And I feel like I really need to baby my leg when I walk. About 15yrs ago I was diagnosed (by accident) with 3 herniated discs in my lower back. L4-5 and S1. They have never caused me any problems however. The only other symptom that I have to add to all of this is sometimes the pain radiates down into my left pelvic area, right inside my hip bone. Do you think it is sciatica? Does the pelvic pain make sense in all this? Or maybe the pelvic pain is totally unrelated? I am contemplating going to see someone, but I don't know where to start. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

The symptoms you have experienced are consistent with a compression of the nerve roots going from the spinal cord to the left leg. This is usually caused by a herniated disc in the lower back area. However, other things can also cause nerve root compression.

Without symptoms in the lower leg, bowel or bladder symptoms, the spinal cord is probably not affected, although if you developed these symptoms, or progressive weakness of the legs, you should see a doctor urgently

Testing would include an MRI of the lower back to visualize the pinched nerves, and/or an electrical study (EMG) to determine how affected the nerves are by the compression. Surgery may or may not be required, depending on these results.

You need to get this testing as soon as you can in order to avoid any further injury
Good luck

[emma k]

Hello, I had back surgery in January of this year, I just went yesterday for my 3 month check up, got an x-ray(I have called them 4 times in the mean time to tell them about the pain I was still having)anyway,I found out that I need another surgery, one of the screws broke and a bone is shattered, has anyone ever had this happen to them? plus, this time he said it would be a bigger surgery and maybe have to go through my stomach. Thanks for any comments.

[Eric2005]

hi i'm writting to you because on the may 3 2005 i had a car accident my doctor took an x-rays of my back he saw a crack vertebrae i think the L5.couples days ago june 15 2005 i went to a bone scan the result: no fracture but since my accident i have a sore back and lately my left leg sore too. i went to a couples of appointment with a physiotherapist she asking me to do some kind of push-ups and that doesn't help at all. anyway i have hard time to walk ,sitting down ,and when i'm laying down in my hospital bed my back and leg hurts and i noticed a sharp pain beside my right shoulder blade side (since the accident)i have hard time to walk on my left leg since about 2 weeks i told that to my physiotherapist and she's telling me to do more execises like push-ups but.can you help me to find out what it can be i would be greatful.     thank you very much   e-mail:***@****

[DTrevinoTX]

I have had lower back pain x 3 years with leg pain for the last 1 1/2 years.  At first I also had pelvic pain/problems and had a laparoscopy which showed a fallopian tube twisted around intestine with scar tissue.  Since the surgery I have continued to have problems and have gone as far as having a hysterectomy (6/04) to reslove my problems.  Still the back pain and leg pain persists.  I have had MRI's and nerve testing which showed nothing.  I also had a colonoscopy as suggested by my OB/GYN which showed nothing as well.  I am always tired and always in pain.  I am taking Amitriptylin 50mg and Cataflam 50mg x 2 daily.  My legs always hurt when going to bed and back & legs hurt to stand up after sitting for a period of time.  I have been seeing a DR of internal medicine, she suggests physical therapy because my back must have been srained at some time.  The only problem is therapy is not covered by my insurance.  If I could be assured that the therapy would work I have no problem paying out of pocket but I have tried so many things already that I am skeptical about this treatment.  Has anyone had a similar experience?  Any suggestions?   Thanks.

[palled]

A related discussion, low back ache was started.

[rascalandangus]

A related discussion, what is the pain down the side of my leg was started.