Pain in right leg & lower back

[Izaria]

Hi
I have just found this forum and registered so hello to you all!
I am 31 years old and have a 2 yr old son - I started having pain in my leg whilst pregnant - thatI didnt go to docs about as was told by everyone is was sciatic and common in pregnancy.
I have had several bouts of it since and lower back pain on and off.
However in March I lifted some concrete in the garden and felt my back go - and oh my god did it hurt! I was laid up for about 6 days with it i felt like my body had been cut in half!

Anyway since then I have had the pain in my leg (back on thigh and running into calf) and somedays it is absolutely unbearable - its worse after I have been sitting on a chair (ie work or at the computer now) Some days it can settle after sitting for a while but others I cant get comfy what ever I do!

I stated phsyio on Monday last week - and they havent said to me what it is - I expect I am jsut like everyone else they never can nail it down ay???

I had a back xray and there was more damage to the lower spine than usual at my age - but nothing out of the ordinary (they said).

Love to hear from anyone else suffering the same as me - as I would love reassurance that I am not alone - I have diagnosed my self with every thing so far its scary when you have pain for 4 months without a break!!!!

Please can any of you pros at this give me some advice??? Help me!

Thanks

footballwidow

 

[My Other Account]

I would go to the doctors and see about some decent pain killers.You may be able to get an mri done which will show up more than an x-ray.I lift concrete for a living and got a sudden bout of pain in my back.I normally have bad backs from the lifting but this was different, i ended up going to the doctors then to a consultant who recommended an mri to check it out as the pain was terrible to stand sit or lay down.It showed i have a prolapsed disk and degeneration of the lower disks to that of an 80 year old.It gives roughly the same type of symptoms as yours.After sitting at a computer for a while does it take a while for you to be able to stand up straight? Like being bent over and gradually working your way up straight.

 

[Corinna]

Hi there
Yes that sounds exactly like how I feel - sometimes I walk around for a while bent over till it is easier to stand up.
Do you think I should ask for and MRI scan?

How old are you if y ou dont mind me asking???

 

[RomInnoni]

MRI scan is sound advice. Afterwards you might consider seeing a decent osteopath, preferably one recommended by someone who's been treated by them.

Good luck

Henry

 

[KennyG]

Im 23.

 

[hmqrnggi]

Hi,
I have similar symptoms, and have had them now for over 12 months. I also got my injury from moving a heavy object whilst bent over.

I have had an MRI scan recently, but it showed nothing. The medical report I recieved said that my symptoms could not be explained. I feel that this is inadequate, but there has been no suggestion for further tests. I wondered if anyone knew what sort of tests might be done to show the cause of my symptoms.

 

[Enronnexexpep]

As I've just said in this Thread - [link=http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=351699]http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=351699[/link]

An MRI can tell if you have a disc injury amongst other things, but it can not indicate what it is that's actually causing the symptoms. If the MRI findings match the clinical test findings and case history, then it's a reasonable assumption.

Whilst a disc injurystill isn't impossible (as MRI's are invariably done lying down,which takes the weight off the discs), it's much more likely that you strained a facet joint capsule. All synovial joints are enclosed by a connective tissue capsule and it's considered that when on full stretch these can get strained, with the result of the local muscles going into spasm to protect the area. This in turn locks up some of the small facet joints at the back of the spine and a vicious circle ensues. An osteopath could diagnose and release if this is the problem.

RE: Low back pain & pregnancy - I find it quite frustrating that the medical system just seems to accept this and say 'oh yes it's common to have back pain during/ after pregnancy'. What use is that to anyone?

The extra weight at the frontpulls the lumbar spine into extension, deepening the lumbar lordotic curve. Add to that the addition of 'relaxin' - the hormone that increases theabilityof the connectivetissues to stretch & so reducing stability.This causes the facet joints to encroach on each other which can cause irritation, pinching of the joint capsuleand subsequent locking. Releasing these joints, some soft tissue work and stretching usually resolves the problem.

More complicated cases can include sacroilliac joint problems that can cause an instability of the pelvis from the delivery itself and simillarly with strain of the pubic symphasis. The latter causing pain in the groin, rather than back.

Andrew.