[50F] Experiencing severe lower spine and leg pain

Patient Description

A 50-year-old female reports experiencing severe pain in the lower spine described as a deep, consistent bruise that is extremely painful upon touch. This pain radiates down the leg to the shin bone, significantly affecting the right hip socket, described as a persistent Charley horse. The severity of the pain is rated 10 out of 10, indicating extreme discomfort. These symptoms have been present for over two years, with no recent injuries or accidents reported that could be contributing to the condition. The patient describes the pain as being most severe in the hip socket and leg, with the lower spine feeling bruised all the time.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible diagnoses include:

  • Sciatica: This condition occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down to your legs, is irritated or compressed. It can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in your lower back, hip, and leg. The pain can be severe and constant, similar to what you described.

    • Treatment usually involves physical therapy, pain relievers, and in some cases, surgery.
  • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: This condition is a narrowing of the spinal canal in your lower back. It can put pressure on your spinal cord and the nerves that travel through the spine to your legs, causing pain in your lower back and legs.

    • Treatment can include physical therapy, medications, or surgery.
  • Hip Bursitis: This is inflammation of the bursa in your hip. The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between a bone and a tendon. Bursitis can cause pain in your hip and may extend to your leg.

    • Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy, and medications to reduce inflammation.

What you can do

You should see a doctor for a formal diagnosis and treatment plan. In the meantime, you can try the following to relieve your symptoms:

  1. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Non-prescription medicines like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
  2. Heat or cold therapy: Applying a hot or cold pack to the affected area may help relieve pain.
  3. Gentle exercises: Simple stretching exercises can help reduce pressure on your sciatic nerve. However, it's important to stop if any exercise causes more pain.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if:

  • The pain is severe or getting worse
  • You have sudden, severe pain in your low back or leg, and numbness or muscle weakness in your leg
  • The pain follows a violent injury, such as a traffic accident
  • You have trouble controlling your bowels or bladder

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for accurate information.

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9 mo ago

People Also Ask


What is sciatica and how is it treated?

Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down to the legs, becomes irritated or compressed. It can cause severe pain, numbness, or tingling in the lower back, hip, and leg. Treatment typically involves physical therapy, pain relievers, and sometimes surgery.


What are the symptoms and treatment options for lumbar spinal stenosis?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain in the lower back and legs. Treatment options include physical therapy, medications, and possibly surgery.


How can hip bursitis be identified and managed?

Hip bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa in the hip, a fluid-filled sac that cushions the bone and tendon. It can cause pain in the hip and may extend to the leg. Management usually involves rest, physical therapy, and medications to reduce inflammation.


When should I seek immediate medical attention for back and leg pain?

Immediate medical attention should be sought if the pain is severe or worsening, if there is sudden, severe pain in the low back or leg with numbness or muscle weakness, if the pain follows a violent injury, or if there is trouble controlling the bowels or bladder.


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1 Comments


Jasmine#4037

9 mo ago

My father had this issue, ultimately diagnosed with sciatica and treated surgically. It wasn't a complete fix but helped a lot because before the pain was debilitating for him.

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