Chronic Lower Back Pain

[hannahmae360]

I have had really bad lower back pain since march. It feels like extreme stiffness, and shooting pain in my glutes. I have worked with children with disabilities for years (which requires lifting). My back was beginning to get sore but I quit before it became as serious as my symptoms are now. I have had an Xray done on my lumbar region. My Xrays show minimal growth on the L5 vertebrae. My family doc spent 4 minutes talking to me about this, and was no help at all. How worried should I be about this. Do I have lumbar spinal stenosis? I am way too young to have degenerative arthritis, should I be tested for other things?

[helenlegs11]

Yes, you need that mri scan, if only to rule out any spine/disc damage. BUT, If it shows nothing that could cause you so much pain, check out piriformis syndrome (PS), especially because you have shooting glute pain.  PS is rare, and rarely mentioned, but it is the cause of at least 6% of sciatica , which causes shooting pain.
Hope everything calms down soon.
Take care.

[hannahmae360]

thanks guys. Im on some anti-inflammatory meds now, going to see if the pain goes away, then my doc will book an MRI to see if the canal that the nerves come out of has narrowed, which could cause the pain. After that, Ill have more options once thats done. Feeling good today so thats a plus! (finally caved and went to the gym despite the pain...actually felt better afterwards)

[StormCloudf_Fire]

d  Diskectomies by an Orthopaedic  but if its  requiring more   A neurosurgeon is the ONLY way to go . REMEMBER I am proof  fusions  are not the only way to go . An MRI and CT will define what should be done and  LOW back pain is always  horrific as we bear mostof our body weight on the L5 S1 or L45 joint .  Exercise and strengthen the L spine muscles .  Dont say NO I cant do that   YOU must . its not an opption  for life .

[skmedlin27703]

I would make an appt with an ortho specialist and have an MRI done.  Always great to have a second opinion. I found out I have DDD before I even turned 30.  So, it could be possible.... good luck.