Believe it or not, back pain radiating down the leg is one of the most common symptoms that patients come to see doctors for, and it often occurs in working-age people.
The characteristic of back pain radiating down the leg is pain starting from the lower back area radiating down to the hip or down to one or both legs. It is usually deep pain and may be accompanied by numbness or weakness.
“Back pain radiating down the leg may be a warning sign of… degenerative hip intervertebral disc disease.”
What causes back pain radiating down the leg?
- The lower back muscles are injured from overuse or accidents, causing severe muscle spasms. Sometimes this causes tightness radiating down to the hip and leg.
- Degeneration of the spine due to aging of the spinal joints, causing bone spurs or displacement that compress the nerves.
- Infections in the spine, tumors, or spinal fractures.
Degeneration of the “intervertebral disc” leading to nerve compression
- Degeneration due to age and use, such as sitting with a hunched back for long periods without changing posture, or sitting and driving for many hours daily over several years.
- Excess body weight, including improper heavy lifting, such as bending over to lift without bending the knees.
- Certain chronic diseases and smoking cause narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the intervertebral discs.
- Muscle weakness that prevents supporting the spine.
How to know if back pain radiating down the leg is caused by a herniated disc pressing on the nerve?
Screening with MRI helps doctors make an accurate diagnosis after detailed history taking and physical examination. MRI is a tool used to create images of organs in the body by using magnetic fields and radio waves. It provides clear and precise images of internal organs and can clearly distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. When the body sends warning signs of abnormalities, we should not ignore or delay treatment but seek medical care as soon as possible.
