Can back problems (ie slipped disk, pinched nerve etc) cause, pain in the lower legs and arms, even if you experience no pain in the back? Symptoms started as suspected minor shin splint in right leg, then spread to leg/foot joint and across the top of the foot with dull and sometimes sharper shots extending from the joint towards, but not reaching the toes. Three weeks later both legs. Sharp/stabbing shots developed in both sides of center of legs extending towards the knee. Started Physiotherapy, no improvements Zero improvement after 71/2 weeks Sit down work only. Similar symptoms developed in arms and hands around this time. Other symptoms include, stiffness in foot/leg joint especially. Same in knuckles (worse in AM hands), weakness and excessive fatigue, Difficulty walking, sometimes grasping, can be painful to make a fist. Symptoms vary daily sometimes, always there in legs increasing pain and discomfort with any upright activity. It sometimes fluctuates severity in arms and hands, and can be in both or alternate arms. Pain types include: shooting, stabbing, burning, stinging, heavyness, gnawing, tingling, steady dull pain, numbness. Consistent swelling/throbbing sensation at leg/foot joint although no physical evidence of swelling are evident. Always steady at pain level 3, increasing to 6-7 in episodes, generally lasting 3+ hours. Position makes little difference except to lessen some of stabbing and shooting pain caused by standing/walking. Gabipentin offers very mild relief of Stabbing/shooting pain only. X-rays, MRI s and EMG of leg (below knee) are negative. Blood work for Auto immune and Diabetes are negative. MRI s of back and spine are next. 15 weeks and counting. Am I at least going in the right direction? I m Desperate to find a direction, and some relief! Please if you can possibly offer your thoughts please? It would be greatly appreciated! Thank You. Craig