Pain in lower back, upper leg, sweeling in lower leg, ankle and foot (left side)

I had back surgery for herniated disc about 5 years ago. Back pain went away, and overtime pain in leg went away.  Now I am having back pain again, not quite as severe as before, along with pain and swelling in leg, foot and ankle. I also have RA, could the RA be causing this or could it be that I have hurt my back again.  The disc involved where L4 and 5. They did say you can hurt your back again very easily and not know it.

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

That's a tough call, but it certainly could represent either disease or even a combination of both. If the symptoms are similar to what you had preop 5years ago, then it may be a primary problem with the back such as recurrent disc injury (if any part was left) or problem with the hardware (if any was placed) or even futher degenerative disease due to aging or RA. However, the swelling in the ankle and leg point more towards a primary joint problem rather than back disease.  In addition, the RA in itself can be causing the back pain.  Given your medical/surgical history, I would recommend getting it looked at by your doc (start with the rheumatologist) and consider having your lower back reimaged with an MRI.  An EMG may also be helpful in pointing out if there is new or active nerve disease caused by a bad back/disc/RA, etc... Good luck.

[Tonna1954]

A related discussion, leg and feet swelling was started.

[clare1938]

A related discussion, I have pain in my left leg and ankle was started.