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Suggest Treatment For Pain In Lower Back Radiating To Leg
Question: I have pain in my right lower back with pain going down my front and back right leg? This has been going on for 3 days. I want to know should I request a MRI? What can be done without surgery? Cortizon shot?
Brief Answer:
Suggested xray of lower back followed by MRI scan if required
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your qeury in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Low back pain radiating to the leg is a common condition and can occur due to pinching of nerves in the lumbar spine from disc problems.
2. If you are having a continuous pain in your lower back going to the leg then it is important to do a xray and if required then go for a MRI scan lumbosacral spine to know the exact cause of your pain.
3. MRI scan of lower back is a simple test. MRI scan should be cautiously done if you have any implants or pace maker, after confirming whether it is MRI compatible.
4. If your pain is from 3 days and you are able to walk tthen it is likely from a small problem. This can be treated with rest, medicines and physiotherapy. Cortisone injection is required for moderate pain from significant nerve root pinching. Usually surgery is done only if medicines, physiotherapy and cortisone do not help much in pain relief.
5. Right now you should consult your doctor and tell that you have a pain in lower back radiating to right leg for 3 days. Your doctor will like to know the grading of pain on a 1 to 10 scale, 1 for mild pain and 10 for severe pain. They will also like to know when the pain increases and when it is less. Your doctor might first recommend a xray and then make a suspected diagnosis and give you recommended treatment and schedule for a MRI scan of lumbar spain.
Hope your qeury is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Suggested xray of lower back followed by MRI scan if required
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your qeury in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Low back pain radiating to the leg is a common condition and can occur due to pinching of nerves in the lumbar spine from disc problems.
2. If you are having a continuous pain in your lower back going to the leg then it is important to do a xray and if required then go for a MRI scan lumbosacral spine to know the exact cause of your pain.
3. MRI scan of lower back is a simple test. MRI scan should be cautiously done if you have any implants or pace maker, after confirming whether it is MRI compatible.
4. If your pain is from 3 days and you are able to walk tthen it is likely from a small problem. This can be treated with rest, medicines and physiotherapy. Cortisone injection is required for moderate pain from significant nerve root pinching. Usually surgery is done only if medicines, physiotherapy and cortisone do not help much in pain relief.
5. Right now you should consult your doctor and tell that you have a pain in lower back radiating to right leg for 3 days. Your doctor will like to know the grading of pain on a 1 to 10 scale, 1 for mild pain and 10 for severe pain. They will also like to know when the pain increases and when it is less. Your doctor might first recommend a xray and then make a suspected diagnosis and give you recommended treatment and schedule for a MRI scan of lumbar spain.
Hope your qeury is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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