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What Causes Severe Shooting Pain In The Lower Spine And Groin Area?
Question: I have moderate to severe shooting pains in my left leg seeming starting from L-5 in my lower spine which has progressed from mild to severe pain in the groin area down to my feet. I mention L-5 because the pain is always present in that area and seems to intensify in the soft part of the knee. Movement is considerably impaired and intensified while sitting on hard surfaces such as the toilet. Please help. Thank you in advance, XXXX XXXXXXX
Correction: the pain started in the left leg and migrated to the right leg
Correction: the pain started in the left leg and migrated to the right leg
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Pain in the lower spine and groin area could be caused by both arthritic joint issues as well as nerve compression, but when that pain spreads below the knee all the way down to the foot than a nerve compression is more likely. The most common cause are degenerative changes to the spine with bulging discs and/or bony spurs formation which lead to nerve compression. It can be only on one side or when displaced centrally with narrowing of the spinal canal with symptoms on both sides.
Initial management is through pain killers like Ibuprofen, a muscle relaxant such as Flexeril may be added as well. In addition it is important to start physical therapy which is the only means of really improving long term spinal stability. If such measures are not enough local injections of steroids and analgesics may be considered. Surgery is considered only as a last resort.
Of course local injections and steroids are only done after imaging. For that reason imaging is usually advised if symptoms persist over a month. So I would recommend MRI or CT imaging. At your age it is even more necessary also to exclude other less common causes such as tumors which can manifest in the same way.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Pain in the lower spine and groin area could be caused by both arthritic joint issues as well as nerve compression, but when that pain spreads below the knee all the way down to the foot than a nerve compression is more likely. The most common cause are degenerative changes to the spine with bulging discs and/or bony spurs formation which lead to nerve compression. It can be only on one side or when displaced centrally with narrowing of the spinal canal with symptoms on both sides.
Initial management is through pain killers like Ibuprofen, a muscle relaxant such as Flexeril may be added as well. In addition it is important to start physical therapy which is the only means of really improving long term spinal stability. If such measures are not enough local injections of steroids and analgesics may be considered. Surgery is considered only as a last resort.
Of course local injections and steroids are only done after imaging. For that reason imaging is usually advised if symptoms persist over a month. So I would recommend MRI or CT imaging. At your age it is even more necessary also to exclude other less common causes such as tumors which can manifest in the same way.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
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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