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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Shooting Pain I Am Having From My Spine To Leg?

I have pain shooting down my leg. It seems to originate in my coccyx but radiates up my spine a short distance and down my leg on the inside of my groin and down the inside of my leg. My heel is also numb. This pain is very intense and it woke me up from a deep sleep this morning.
Fri, 25 Apr 2014
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Orthopaedic Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

Thanks for your question. The pain you are experiencing is called sciatica. It is usually due to nerve compression in your lumbar spine caused by a disc prolapse. This is likely also causing the numbness in the sole of your foot. This suggests an L5/S1 disc prolapse. You may also have some weakness in your foot. Most 1st time disc prolapses will improve spontaneously after 6 - 8 weeks. To make the diagnosis you would need an MRI scan. A number of medications can help with the pain including anti-inflammatory medication, opiate medication, muscle relaxants and neuromodulating drugs. If you symptoms do not improve or your get increasing numbness and or weakness or incontinence of urine or faeces then you may require surgery to remove the prolapsed intervertebral disc.

Best wishes
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What Is The Shooting Pain I Am Having From My Spine To Leg?

Hi, Thanks for your question. The pain you are experiencing is called sciatica. It is usually due to nerve compression in your lumbar spine caused by a disc prolapse. This is likely also causing the numbness in the sole of your foot. This suggests an L5/S1 disc prolapse. You may also have some weakness in your foot. Most 1st time disc prolapses will improve spontaneously after 6 - 8 weeks. To make the diagnosis you would need an MRI scan. A number of medications can help with the pain including anti-inflammatory medication, opiate medication, muscle relaxants and neuromodulating drugs. If you symptoms do not improve or your get increasing numbness and or weakness or incontinence of urine or faeces then you may require surgery to remove the prolapsed intervertebral disc. Best wishes