What Causes Lower Back Pain Along With Weakness And Tightness In Muscles?

Posted on Thu, 12 May 2016

Question: Hello,my name is XXXXX.I would very much like to know what my problem is.The symptoms are as follows,Lower back pain and left buttock,tight muscle very weak and cannot support weight and as I had polio in right leg I can no longer get around without the use of a wheelchair.I hope that you tell me what my problem is and can it be treated and strength restored.Thank you
It is my left thigh muscle that is so weak.Polio right leg leaves me unable to walk at all

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained in detail

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome

Your concern is appreciated

According to description of the symptoms given by you this seems to be post polio syndrome which is combination of problems that occur years ( 30-40yrs) after the intial polio attack or illness. The cause for this is not known but there are number of theories including fatigue of overworked nerve cells.
Patient usually complains of pain in muscles and joints which can be biomechanical pain due to poor posture, over use pain, weakness and atrophy of the muscles breathing or swallowing problems and sleep apnea, fatigue depression and anxiety etc
It is diagnosed in a patient with prior paralytic poliomyelitis having period of partial or complete functional recovery after attack develops slowly progressive and persistent new muscle weakness muscle atrophy and joint pain and this persists for year and other possible skeletal and neuromuscular causes are excluded
Risk factor are severity of intial attack age at onset recovery the greater it is the more its likely to develop
And physical activity to the point of exhaustion make it worse
Complications are falls pneumonia respiratory failure osteoporosis
Currently there is no treatment available to stop the deterioration caused by syndrome it self.
Managment is supportive
Includes non fatiguing exercises
Use assist devices
Reduce the overuse of muscles use of mobility aids avoid rapid muscle tiring and exhaustion avoid activities causing pain or fatigue lasting more than ten minutes
Pain killers and muscle relaxats can be used but life style changes are more helpful and rewarding

Hope it will help

Thanks

wishing you best of health

Please consult your doctor before taking any further course of action

Dr M.S Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Does that mean that my leg will never be strong enough for me to stand upright again in time even with the aid of a walker?I am just so surprised that I could be walking fine one minute and unable to use my leg the next

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Your disease is progressive in nature and there is no absolute treatment only treatment now is managment of your activities and to preserve what function remains
Avoid exhaustion and overuse of muscles
Use assist aids and avoid activities that causes excess fatiguibility .
If you are succesful in efficiently planning your activities you may delay the process and able to extend your remaining functional abilities.

please consult your doctor before taking any further course of action

Hope it helps
Thanks

Dr M.S Khalil.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar