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What Causes Pain In The Lower Back Radiating To The Limbs?

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Posted on Tue, 15 Nov 2016
Question: I developed lower back pain but not acute
Bilateral leg numbness and pain into different dermatomes L5 left and L4 right also spasms into left foot muscles under lateral side
Also overspill problem with bladder have no control on Occassion over spill with no voluntary control and occasionally fecal loss also with no control
Is it probable all these symptoms come from damage pressure to The nerves from the disc
Went to s neurosurgeon whom said that there was nothing he could operate on even though 2 reports from different doctors Radiologist said there were encroachment
MRI and CT
Regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it is possible.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

Judging from that description you make of pain spreading from the lower back to both limbs, with bladder and bowel control issues I would say that the symptoms are typical for nerve compression in the lower back, so yes, it is not simply a possibility but the most probable cause.
Compression from a herniated disc is the most common cause, rarely there may be other causes such as infections or tumors but those would have been seen on MRI.

If there is compression on MRI I am not sure why the neurosurgeon say that. I understand there may be discrepancies, but with not one but two radiologists and the symptoms combining both limbs with bladder and bowel control problems I am more inclined to believe that the radiologists are right. So I would ask for a second neurosurgeon opinion really.

Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Causes Pain In The Lower Back Radiating To The Limbs?

Brief Answer: Yes it is possible. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. Judging from that description you make of pain spreading from the lower back to both limbs, with bladder and bowel control issues I would say that the symptoms are typical for nerve compression in the lower back, so yes, it is not simply a possibility but the most probable cause. Compression from a herniated disc is the most common cause, rarely there may be other causes such as infections or tumors but those would have been seen on MRI. If there is compression on MRI I am not sure why the neurosurgeon say that. I understand there may be discrepancies, but with not one but two radiologists and the symptoms combining both limbs with bladder and bowel control problems I am more inclined to believe that the radiologists are right. So I would ask for a second neurosurgeon opinion really. Let me know if I can further assist you.