Suggest Remedy For Sharp Radiating Back Pain
I feel a sharp pain only when I move certain ways (step, try to stoop to pick something up, begin to sit, etc. I am afraid to move because I never know exactly what will set it off. I have never had anything like this before. For being 59 years old I have no medical problems and am never sick. Is this sciatica? XXXXXXX Ballard, DVM
No worries for now. Very unlikely to be sciatica
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query
Sciatica is generally moderate to severe in pain, radiates down the buttock, causes tingling and some electric feeling.From your description, I am of the opinion that this is not sciatica .
With an unremarkable medical history and considering the acute onset of this pain, I do not think it should be so serious to cause you to panic. I think this is a mechanic pain, caused mainly by some misplaced movement, the either displaced the disc separating some vertebrae in the lumbar region while stretching some ligaments . Movements in the direction to further displace the disc while exerting the pressure on the ligaments causes pain.
I think Muscle relaxant, oral anti-inflammatory drugs and a local anti inflammatory drug for local massage should be sufficient. To me managed as such, the pain should be over within a week.
persistence however might require x rays and a CT scan or MIR.
Thanks and kind regards as I wish you the best of health.
Dr Bain