HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Lower Back Spasms And Pain In Hip And Thighs?

default
Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Question: Hello,
I have had pain in my lower back off and on for some time, and lower back spasms, which cause me to lose control of my bladder...now for the past three weeks such severe pain in lower back, hip, thigh and knee...I have been put on Endone, but even this is not relieving the pain which keeps me awake most of the night , throbbing ? I am 67. Years ..female
XXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
uhoh

Detailed Answer:
while I cannot make definite statements about your particular condition without examining you, I can say that signs of an unusually serious back problem would be a loss of neurological function (loss of bladder control). This can be a sign that the spine is becoming SERIOUSLY damaged and surgery might be needed to prevent paralysis!
MRI of the lumbar area can show nearly all serious problems.
Diagnosis of a potentially very serious back condition would be the first thing. While very few back pains are due to anything that needs surgery, as mentioned, loss of bladder control would often mean something is seriously wrong. Otherwise, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, staying active, chiropracty, massage, are all helpful and not narcotic. Personally, I suggest to my patients ball room dance. The local physical therapist is the only one who followed my suggestion! Ball room dance teaches people how to balance weight and to avoid moving out of balance and to avoid strains and overuse and putting weight all on one part and unbalanced.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (40 minutes later)
Hello Dr.Wachsman,
Thank you for your opinion....one thing that concerns me is why the Endone is not helping my pain....I was lead to believe that it was very strong and would relieve even bad pain ?
XXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
a few factors....

Detailed Answer:
It is indeed a very strong pain medication (oxycodone--a narcotic) at the very lowest dose (5 milligram). then, the next question is the pattern of it not working. Most people would have it work, but have the results of using it diminish over time (tolerance). This is what happens with this type of medicine to everyone. Well, most people. There is a sizeable minority that don't have the wiring working for narcotics to do anything at all. About 5% of people have it work too well (not applicable here).
Having narcotics take up to an hour to work, then work for 2-4 hrs then wear off (normal).
Having narcotics work for weeks/months and then their effect diminish or require more drug to have the same effect (normal).
Having it work, but only for a very short time and the effect be small (normal and implying a higher amount would work better).
Having it not work at all but still make someone feel nausea or bad (not normal and a higher dose won't work either).
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Lower Back Spasms And Pain In Hip And Thighs?

Brief Answer: uhoh Detailed Answer: while I cannot make definite statements about your particular condition without examining you, I can say that signs of an unusually serious back problem would be a loss of neurological function (loss of bladder control). This can be a sign that the spine is becoming SERIOUSLY damaged and surgery might be needed to prevent paralysis! MRI of the lumbar area can show nearly all serious problems. Diagnosis of a potentially very serious back condition would be the first thing. While very few back pains are due to anything that needs surgery, as mentioned, loss of bladder control would often mean something is seriously wrong. Otherwise, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, staying active, chiropracty, massage, are all helpful and not narcotic. Personally, I suggest to my patients ball room dance. The local physical therapist is the only one who followed my suggestion! Ball room dance teaches people how to balance weight and to avoid moving out of balance and to avoid strains and overuse and putting weight all on one part and unbalanced.