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Suggest Treatment For Lower Back Pain That Radiates To The Legs

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Posted on Mon, 25 May 2015
Question: I have had lower back pain right above the left buttock which radiates down my leg also have pain in my left shoulder and neck which causes tingling g in my right hand
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Suggestive of lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to welcome to healthcaremagic.com

I hove gone through your question and understand your difficulty and pain.

Your description of the pain is typical of lumbosacral radiculopathy (sciatica).

It usually happens when the nerve roots get compressed when exiting the small canal on the sides of the vertebral column.

Other location where the nerve can get compressed is in the buttock region. As this nerve (sciatic nerve) supplies most of the back of the buttock region and back of the thigh, and most of the leg below the knee, any irritation of this nerve causes radiating pains in all those regions.

The usual cause for compression of the nerve roots is a prolapsed or a herniated intervertebral disc (there is a soft disc between the two vertebral bones), this disc, because it is soft, can protrude out beyond the vertebral bodies and can compress the nerve roots.

There are certainly some other conditions that can present similarly, for example, a stone in the kidney or upper ureter can also cause lower back pain that radiates down to the inner thigh region.

However, in your case, since you also complain of pain in the shoulder and neck region along with tingling in the right hand, involvement of the nerves can be suspected.

The best course of action is,

1. First consult an orthopedic surgeon or a spine surgeon and get yourself examined, a clinical examination will guide further in deciding the treatment option as well as investigations to be done.

2. Request for an MRI scan of the spine (whole spinal cord).

3. Take rest.

4. Do not lift any weights.

5. Hot and cold compress to the lower back will help relieve the pain for some time.

6. You may take a pain killer like Motrin for symptomatic relief.

I hope I have been able to address your query, please feel free to write back to me if you need further clarifications.

Wishing you good health.

Best regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (6 minutes later)
Thankyou I'm going to a chiropracter currently for deep tissue message and therapy
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Chiropracter will not be of much help. Accurate diagnosis is essential

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Thanks for writing back.

I am sorry to say that chiropracter will not be much use to you. No amount of manipulation will result in reduction of the herniated disc. There is enough evidence to support this and there is enough evidence that says chiropractic therapy can in fact cause more harm than good in such cases.

Most important thing to do right now is to get an accurate diagnosis. For that you need to consult a spine surgeon and get an MRI scan done.

I hope this will help you.

Kind regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Yogesh D

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 1130 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Lower Back Pain That Radiates To The Legs

Brief Answer: Suggestive of lumbosacral radiculopathy. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to welcome to healthcaremagic.com I hove gone through your question and understand your difficulty and pain. Your description of the pain is typical of lumbosacral radiculopathy (sciatica). It usually happens when the nerve roots get compressed when exiting the small canal on the sides of the vertebral column. Other location where the nerve can get compressed is in the buttock region. As this nerve (sciatic nerve) supplies most of the back of the buttock region and back of the thigh, and most of the leg below the knee, any irritation of this nerve causes radiating pains in all those regions. The usual cause for compression of the nerve roots is a prolapsed or a herniated intervertebral disc (there is a soft disc between the two vertebral bones), this disc, because it is soft, can protrude out beyond the vertebral bodies and can compress the nerve roots. There are certainly some other conditions that can present similarly, for example, a stone in the kidney or upper ureter can also cause lower back pain that radiates down to the inner thigh region. However, in your case, since you also complain of pain in the shoulder and neck region along with tingling in the right hand, involvement of the nerves can be suspected. The best course of action is, 1. First consult an orthopedic surgeon or a spine surgeon and get yourself examined, a clinical examination will guide further in deciding the treatment option as well as investigations to be done. 2. Request for an MRI scan of the spine (whole spinal cord). 3. Take rest. 4. Do not lift any weights. 5. Hot and cold compress to the lower back will help relieve the pain for some time. 6. You may take a pain killer like Motrin for symptomatic relief. I hope I have been able to address your query, please feel free to write back to me if you need further clarifications. Wishing you good health. Best regards