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

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Pain In Lower Back. Suggested To Take Cortizone Injection. Pinched Nerve?

Hi Dr, My wife has what we suspect to be a pinched nerve, in her lower back, hip area. She suffers pain only when she lies down at night. She has had an MRI , Physio and leg vibration tests.....with no improvement and the consensus appears to be non-mechanical. The sports Physician has suggested a cortizone injection into the lower back area. Prior to having that done as a last resort, should she consider consulting either an Osteopath or Chiropractor. Kind regards, David
Thu, 24 Jan 2013
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello and welcome,

Thanks for your query.

I would first like to ask you about a minor description of the pain.

Does the pain start from her lower back and go down till mid-thigh? Mostly on her back side (posterior)?

If yes, this could most probably be her Sciatic nerve being irritated and is also called Sciatica.

Let me list few of the most common causes of sciatica:

-Degenerative disc disease: The disc's in every human being undergo a degenerative process with age, and is considered to be normal. When these disc's undergo degeneration they tend to irritate the nerve root present in the lower back, which can result in sciatica.

-Sacro-iliac join dysfunction: the lowest end of your spine consists of fused bones called the Sacrum. This bone articulates with the iliac bone (one of the three bones forming your pelvis), thus this joint is called the sacro-iliac joint. Any irritation of this joint can also cause the same pain that would be typical for sciatica.

-Piriformis syndrome: There is a muscle present in the buttock region called the Piriformis muscle. The sciatic nerve passes under this muscle, and any irritation of this muscle can also lead the sciatica.

-Herniated disc: The Lumbar part of your disc can develop a hernia which is when the inner core of the disc leaks out or herniates. This protrusion can irritate the nerve roots, also resulting in sciatica.

--Isthmic spondylolisthesis: In this condition a small fracture allows one vertebral body to slip forward on another. Due to this the sciatic nerve can get pinched and cause the pain.

-Lumbar spinal stenosis: Stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal can cause the sciatic nerve to get pinched and cause this pain

Other causes can be: muscle strain, spinal tumors, pregnancy, scar tissue, infection, direct injury, etc.

Please consult your doctor on the same and try to find the cause in order to properly manage the sciatica.

I hope I have succeeded in answering your questions, you could write back to us anytime for further clarifications.

Best wishes.
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer


Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Osteopathy


Loading Online Doctors....
Pain In Lower Back. Suggested To Take Cortizone Injection. Pinched Nerve?

Hello and welcome, Thanks for your query. I would first like to ask you about a minor description of the pain. Does the pain start from her lower back and go down till mid-thigh? Mostly on her back side (posterior)? If yes, this could most probably be her Sciatic nerve being irritated and is also called Sciatica. Let me list few of the most common causes of sciatica: -Degenerative disc disease: The disc s in every human being undergo a degenerative process with age, and is considered to be normal. When these disc s undergo degeneration they tend to irritate the nerve root present in the lower back, which can result in sciatica. -Sacro-iliac join dysfunction: the lowest end of your spine consists of fused bones called the Sacrum. This bone articulates with the iliac bone (one of the three bones forming your pelvis), thus this joint is called the sacro-iliac joint. Any irritation of this joint can also cause the same pain that would be typical for sciatica. -Piriformis syndrome: There is a muscle present in the buttock region called the Piriformis muscle. The sciatic nerve passes under this muscle, and any irritation of this muscle can also lead the sciatica. -Herniated disc: The Lumbar part of your disc can develop a hernia which is when the inner core of the disc leaks out or herniates. This protrusion can irritate the nerve roots, also resulting in sciatica. --Isthmic spondylolisthesis: In this condition a small fracture allows one vertebral body to slip forward on another. Due to this the sciatic nerve can get pinched and cause the pain. -Lumbar spinal stenosis: Stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal can cause the sciatic nerve to get pinched and cause this pain Other causes can be: muscle strain, spinal tumors, pregnancy, scar tissue, infection, direct injury, etc. Please consult your doctor on the same and try to find the cause in order to properly manage the sciatica. I hope I have succeeded in answering your questions, you could write back to us anytime for further clarifications. Best wishes.