Lower back, hip and leg pain

[jojo105]

A couple weeks ago I thought I pulled something working out but after 1 1/2 weeks of it getting worse I went to the chiro. She told me in was disc issue and to get ice on. Two days later I went to family doctor since my pain in the side of my left leg down to my foot was getting. Plus I have this aching/burning pain in both my upper legs and hips. I am taking muscle relaxers and ibruprofen and nothing is helping. The doctor mentioned an MRI after the weekend if I'm no better. The aching across my legs is driving me nuts, I can't sit still. I feel like a little kid with "growing Pains" I'm really only comfortable standing or walking. Ideas, suggestions?

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. You seem to be having these pains due to lumbar intervertebral disc herniation or degeneration causing lumbosacral nerve roots irritation and compression. It is good that you are undergoing an MRI spine soon which would help in arriving at a diagnosis.  If lesions are confirmed, physiotherapy, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, epidural steroid injections and lastly surgical disc decompression are your options. Consult your neurosurgeon for the needful. Take care.

[caregiver222]

Well, for starters, muscle relaxers are the wrong train, wrong direction, wrong  railroad. In other words "plan stupid". Taking  muscle relaxers will ease your journey into the regions of hell. They are inappropriate. I know many physicians prescribe them for sciatica. Many physicians also get tort actions for malpractice. Some physicians also believe they have been abducted by space aliens. At least two I know believe they are descended from a God.

They degrade muscle tone, for goodness sake.

Your symptoms pretty much confirm sciatica, which will be confirmed by an MRI L1-L5.

Square one is to stop lifting  things. Avoid riding in a truck (where there are up and down motions).

After the MRI you need to go to a physical rehab specialist (pay for this, if insurance doesn't cover it) who will demonstrate several exercises which will be helpful.

Generally a few days of prednisone are needed to calm down the inflamation, then ibuprufin, 800 mg a day in two divided doses with food.

Rest and sleep with a pillow between your legs.

Stay well-hydrated. The discs need fluid.

This will go away in a while, but likely return.

If the exercises don't work you will be a candidate for a surgical procedure called a laminectomy.