Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Pain Under Ribcage Radiating To Hip And Leg With Back Bruising?
Question: I have bruising on my lower back/ top of butt crack area. I did not fall or bump into anything. It is very painful to sit or lay down if my head is not flat. I noticed on Friday after work (I work at a daycare and that day I was with older heavier babies) that pain started to build from under my rib cage, radiating into my hips, and down my legs; into my knees, ankles, and feet. Could they be correlated? What can cause this?? Could it be a slipped disc??
Brief Answer:
Most probably sciatica
Detailed Answer:
Hello
My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.
I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Your symptoms of pain radiation are suggesting that you are suffering from sciatica. It refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body. There is compression of sciatic nerve due to vertebrae compression as a result pain occurs in the area supplied by sciatic nerve.
I would suggest you to get an appointment for an orthopedic surgeon or a neurologist. Either one of them will perform complete neurological examination and will advise some investigations like X-Ray lumbosacral spine. Results will decide the course of treatment. Meanwhile following steps could help to improve symptoms:
- Physiotherapy
- naproxen thrice a day
- oil massage over lower back and at the site of pain.
- avoid lifting heavy weight.
Bruising can be due to any cause like trauma or localized infection. Take following measures :
- Apply hot compression
- get a CBC & clotting profile done to rule out any hematological cause.
If condition does not improves in 2-3 days then you need to visit a general surgeon for examination and further workup.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Most probably sciatica
Detailed Answer:
Hello
My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.
I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Your symptoms of pain radiation are suggesting that you are suffering from sciatica. It refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body. There is compression of sciatic nerve due to vertebrae compression as a result pain occurs in the area supplied by sciatic nerve.
I would suggest you to get an appointment for an orthopedic surgeon or a neurologist. Either one of them will perform complete neurological examination and will advise some investigations like X-Ray lumbosacral spine. Results will decide the course of treatment. Meanwhile following steps could help to improve symptoms:
- Physiotherapy
- naproxen thrice a day
- oil massage over lower back and at the site of pain.
- avoid lifting heavy weight.
Bruising can be due to any cause like trauma or localized infection. Take following measures :
- Apply hot compression
- get a CBC & clotting profile done to rule out any hematological cause.
If condition does not improves in 2-3 days then you need to visit a general surgeon for examination and further workup.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I really dont believe its sciatica. I have bruises that came from no where - (the radiating pain has gone away )but my tailblne area is super tender; the slightest pressure brings tears to my eyes. And i dont bruise easily, didnt fall, so why am i bruised? The top of my but crack is tender too. Almost feels and looks like its on the verge of splitting .
Brief Answer:
Please see details
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the followup query.
Sciatica & joint inflammation are two most common differential for your symptoms(except bruise). Both these conditions can cause pain in tailbone area radiating to legs. Bruising has huge differential so its difficult to reach a conclusive cause without undergoing workup. So i would suggest you to follow above mentioned steps. Labs mentioned above will help to rule out the exact cause of bruising.
Thank You
Please see details
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the followup query.
Sciatica & joint inflammation are two most common differential for your symptoms(except bruise). Both these conditions can cause pain in tailbone area radiating to legs. Bruising has huge differential so its difficult to reach a conclusive cause without undergoing workup. So i would suggest you to follow above mentioned steps. Labs mentioned above will help to rule out the exact cause of bruising.
Thank You
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
