Lower back or hip pain that generates to the thigh area

[Debbie St. Ange]

For about two years now I began having pain in my hip area, and around the end of my spine.  It is not a sharp pain, rather dull and strange.  There are time when it feels as if my spine is separating at the hips if I stand too long. This pain also generates to the pelvic area.  Making a bowel movement is sometime a chore, because the pain is there.  Walking accessively brings on the pain in the hips and thighs.  Xrays have revealed inflamation in the lower spine area, which my doctor diagnosed as arthritis.  I have been put on anti inflamatory pain medication, This is a chronic conditions that never goes away.  I have notice that this discomfort lessens around the time for my period.  I will be 49 years old this year, and I am wondering does hormones have anything to do with this condition.  Please help.

[kell m]

i have also had severe pain in the tailbone area also lower back.  i get pins and needles going down my left leg .i had an emg which showed nerve damage. i start a series of 3 steriod epidurals in a week . i will let you know if there is any relief.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Margene:

As you know we are not suppose to answer questions from the comment section.  So, please don't tell anyone.  Actually, there is nothing you really can't do for your husband.  His pain is dictating what physical things he can do.  At first, pain meds and decrease in activity will help.  Then once the pain becomes tolerable then vigorous rehab.  He needs to do things to take stress off his back, ie. loose weight if overweight, become more active with not stressing his back, proper sleeping position (not head down), proper lifting technique etc.  Once you see your physician he/she will outline a plan.  

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Margene]

My 48 year old husband just had an MRI that revealed a herniated disk (L4/L5) and narrowing of the spine (whatever that may be) His symptoms were severe deep pain in the left thigh.  Until he gets to a specialist can you comment on what or what not he should be doing?  He has been on Vicodin for 4 days which helps dull the pain but is able to do little outside of sitting back in a recliner.  Our waterbed, I am sure, will be the first thing to go.  What about a slant board with the feet up and head down?  Would this create more problems?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Terri:

No you do not need to feel pain for facet joint hypertrophy to cause numbness.  The only nerves that exit the neural foramen are the ventral column sensory nerves.  Best of luck finding a cause to your problem.  Sorry we couldn't be more helpful.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Bertha:

Sorry about your problems.  It may be that you have changes associated with arthritis as your doctors have told you.  I would assume that you saw a good neurologist and MS was ruled out.  You symptoms do not have the flavor of episodic waxing and waning that MS has.  Maybe a second opinion might be valuable.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[teri]

Thank you for your response.  I do not know if the neurologist knows the etiology either.  I spoke with him yesterday afternoon and he as the neuro-radiologist said this shouldnt be causing the numbness.  I dont know if you need to have pain with this for it to associate with the numbness for this joint thing to be considered the actual etiology.  I am at a loss.   I have heard of neurography being done at some places.  Does that type of imaging show just the images of damaged nerves cause by injury or compression?  Will it show injury of a nerve if it is of a disease component as ms or some other demeyelating disease?  My neuro thinks I have a demeyelating process, but my mri's are all clear of that stuff.  I do not know how neurologists can handle such a job.  So many factors to deal with on so many disorders.  I must commend you, it is a very hard field to be in.

Thank you