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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?
Question: I am experiencing lower back pain on my right side accompanied by cramping pain in my right quadracep muscle and numbness in my lower leg. This pain is NOT in the back of my leg. An MRI says I have pressure on my L4 nerve root from a malformed disc at L3-L4. I am trying to determine if my symptoms are matching this MRI report.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Describe pain and numbness distribution.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
The L4 nerve root supplies the lateral and anterior ( front ) part of thigh and leg ( calf), not the posterior ( back) part of the thigh and leg. This is the sensitive part of nerve supply.
L4 nerve root supplies tibialis anterior muscle ( front and lateral calf) and its action consists on lifting the foot and big toe.
In case of L4 nerve root involvement, patellar reflex, (knee jerk) is diminished.
Please describe regarding to above clarifications the distribution of pain and numbness, movements of big toe as well.
Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Best regards.
Describe pain and numbness distribution.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
The L4 nerve root supplies the lateral and anterior ( front ) part of thigh and leg ( calf), not the posterior ( back) part of the thigh and leg. This is the sensitive part of nerve supply.
L4 nerve root supplies tibialis anterior muscle ( front and lateral calf) and its action consists on lifting the foot and big toe.
In case of L4 nerve root involvement, patellar reflex, (knee jerk) is diminished.
Please describe regarding to above clarifications the distribution of pain and numbness, movements of big toe as well.
Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Dr. Erion,
Thank you for that information. It is consistent with my symptoms. I am also experiencing pain in my upper right buttock/lower back. Is that consistent with L4 as well?
Les Cox
Thank you for that information. It is consistent with my symptoms. I am also experiencing pain in my upper right buttock/lower back. Is that consistent with L4 as well?
Les Cox
Brief Answer:
L4 nerve root irritation can cause low back pain and buttock pain.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back XXXXXXX Cox.
L4 nerve root involvement could cause upper buttock pain and low back pain, if the localization is at lateral side.
Another possibility of low back and upper buttock pain is the possible bad posture (an alignment of column to reduce pain caused by nerve root irritated).
Hope I helped you. Best regards.
L4 nerve root irritation can cause low back pain and buttock pain.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back XXXXXXX Cox.
L4 nerve root involvement could cause upper buttock pain and low back pain, if the localization is at lateral side.
Another possibility of low back and upper buttock pain is the possible bad posture (an alignment of column to reduce pain caused by nerve root irritated).
Hope I helped you. Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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