Lower Back Pain
Low Back Pain and Leg Pain - Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs when the space around the spinal cord narrows and puts pressure on the cord and spinal nerves. This can cause leg pain, also known as, radiculopathy. There are many causes of spinal stenosis, such as, degenerative disc disease (wear and tear on your lumbar discs), herniated disc, and arthritis in the lumbar spine.
Common Symptoms:
- Numbness or tingling in foot or leg
- Weakness in foot or leg
- Back/ Buttock pain
- Pain or heaviness in one or both of your legs when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk
- Usually symptoms improve when you bend forward or sit.
Red Flags:
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction including incontinence or difficulty urinating even with a full bladder
- Progressive weakness that makes you unable to walk
Common Treatments:
- Anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen, Aleve) and/or Tylenol
- Physical therapy / Home exercises
- Steroids by mouth or Epidural steroid injections (Injections into your low back)
- Surgical intervention when conservative measures fail to improve or red flags develop.
Please use the following link to learn more about lumbar spinal stenosis.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/lumbar-spinal-stenosis/
Please use the following link to learn more about lumbar spinal stenosis exercises. Consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/spine-conditioning-program/Lumbar Herniated Disk
The vertebral disks are located between the vertebrae and allow the back to flex or bend. Disks also act as shock absorbers. A herniated disk is sometimes called a slipped or ruptured disk. A disk herniates or ruptures when part of the center of the disk herniates or pushes through the outer edge of the disk toward the spinal canal. This puts pressure on the nerves and can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in one or both legs. Although a herniated disk can sometimes be very painful, most people feel much better in a few months following conservative nonsurgical treatments.
Common Symptoms:
- Pain radiating down the buttocks, thigh, calf and into the foot
- Numbness and tingling down the leg
- Can go down one or both legs
- Weakness in the leg
- Can cause you to stumble and feel like the foot/leg is dragging
Red Flags:
- Progressive numbness or weakness that increases to the point it is impeding your daily activities
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction including incontinence or difficulty urinating even with a full bladder
- Progressive loss of sensation affects areas that would touch a saddle (Inner thighs, area around the rectum)
Common Treatments:
- Anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen/Aleve) and/or Tylenol
- Steroid injections
- Physical therapy / Home exercises
- Surgical intervention if conservative measures fail to improve symptoms or red flags develop
Please use the following link to learn more about herniated lumbar disks.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/herniated-disk/Please use the following link to learn more about lumbar (low back) herniated disk exercises. Consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/spine-conditioning-program/Low Back Strain
This occurs when your low back muscles become stretched or pulled causing pain across your low back. Pain can be aggravated by bending, lifting, or twisting. Muscle spasms may also occur. This condition gradually improves over a few weeks to a month with conservative management.
Common symptoms:
- Pain or tenderness across the low back
- limited motion and muscle spasms
- Pain can be on one side or across the entire low back
- It usually does not radiate into the legs.
Red Flags:
- Bowel/ Bladder dysfunction
- progressive weakness or pain into one or both legs
Common Treatments:
- Rest from aggravating activities
- Ice or moist heat
- Anti-Inflammatories (Ibuprofen/Aleve) and/or Tylenol
- Physical therapy / Home Exercises
Please use the following link to learn more about low back pain and strain.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/low-back-pain/
Please use the following link to learn more about exercises for the low back. Consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/spine-conditioning-program/spine-conditioning-program-pdf/