Pain/Numbness in Lower back and leg?

Question:

I see an Ortho on Aug 2. Pains been going on over 1yr. Had myleogram, Ct scans, Nerve test, LOTS of xrays, cordisone shots. Alot of medical bills and now lost my ins. right leg use to be my dominant leg, now it's my weaker leg w/smaller muscles. PAIN in lower back w/L4/L5 and L5/S1, DDD, and arthitis of the back. Was told hips slightly not in alignment and slight nerve damage in right leg. But nothing major going on. Nuerosurgeon says nothing wrong she will operate on. But Leg's weak and goes out walking at times, sit and rub my upper thigh cause it's constantly tight. Leg also goes to "sleep" alot quicker and easier than other.
I'm looking for someone else like this, or who has had DDD or arthitis that knows what I"m talking about...
27/Female-had car wrecks and back injuries, but THIS paid didn't start with any specific trauma

Answers:
I also had the same symptoms for many years w/o any specific trauma. The best I can remember it started with my right "leg" giving out on occasion, and some tenderness in my right hip once in a while, that went on for several yrs. When the lower back pain started is when I started my long journey to the diagnosis and treatment of my problem/s.

I too had X Rays and CT's those did determine the DDD and the Chronic Osteoarthritis. I was sent to a PT which was very helpful for a while and also took some mild pain relievers when necessary. Again though, after time it wasn't enough and the pain was really extending down my right hip and leg quite a bit. I was diagnosed with Sciatica without any type of X Ray, just nerve tests and did everything necessary to try to take care of it, eventually the pain in my right leg was so bad I began to drag it. I begged to be sent for a MRI and low and behold that is when they discovered the problem. I not only have severe DDD, but all the discs between my S vertebra were gone, and the one between L4/L5 was herniated into my sciatic nerve and making it "very angry", and rapidly now, causing permanant damage to the nerve. I was quite upset when I was told that alot of time ruptured and herniated disc's cannot be found without MRI's and I hadn't even been offered one in 5yrs of 'back treatment'.

Anyway, finally I saw a Nueorologist and they scheduled me for a discestomy the next week.
I didn't notice you saying anything reguarding a MRI, so if you haven't had one yet, then a nuerologist may be more willing to take care of your problem with surgery.
I have to say, that I felt better in the recovery room, so the surgery was obiously very helpful. However, in my case since there was such a delay in treatment, I now am a chronic pain patient with Neuropathy to the sciatic nerve and the Osteoarthritis is more advanced than it would have been since I wasn't able to exercise my back as much as i should have, until after the surgery.
Good luck to you, I hope you find the relief you need soon!!

yes i have ddd but ive also had three back surgies on L-4 L-5 S-1. found mine on an MRI lots lots of meds and i let the shower get as hot as i can stand every morning and let it hit your back for a few mins. hope you get to feeling better

Pain/Numbness in Lower back and leg?

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