Compression or pressure on any of the nerve roots in the low back can cause pain, numbness or weakness along the different nerves as they travel down through the leg and into the foot. Because the sciatic nerve is commonly affected, leg pain and related symptoms are often generally referred to as sciatica, although medical professionals prefer the term radiculopathy.
Leg pain and foot pain quite often is not caused by a problem in the leg or foot, but rather by a condition in the lower back. Diagnosis of leg pain and other lower extremity symptoms should focus not only on the legs and hips, but should also include examination of the low back. In fact, with many low back problems, there is actually little or no low back pain. Instead, there may be leg pain, foot pain, and/or lower extremity numbness or weakness.
On a practical point many low back disorders can cause pain to radiate, or be referred to, the leg and/or foot, so an accurate diagnosis of leg pain or foot pain should include a low back examination. Not all leg pain derived from low back problems presents the same way. Leg pain caused by a low back problem is often accompanied by additional symptoms, such as leg numbness or weakness, or foot pain, and the type of leg pain experienced may vary widely from patient to patient.
These leg symptoms can be evidence of a problem in the low back, and it is usually advisable to seek medical attention to determine the cause of the pain and to find a course of treatment. Leg pain along with certain other symptoms may be a sign of a potentially serious condition and warrant urgent medical attention, such as:
Progressive weakness in the legs, which can be a sign of nerve damage
Bowel or bladder dysfunction
Fever and/or chills
Recent unintended weight loss
Significant trauma preceding symptoms
Several specific low back conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and more, are common causes of leg pain and foot pain.
So remember that Pain is a communicator, a warning, if you are experiencing any type of persistant pain do seek professional advice as soon as possible.
www.backtrouble.co.uk
Leg pain and foot pain quite often is not caused by a problem in the leg or foot, but rather by a condition in the lower back. Diagnosis of leg pain and other lower extremity symptoms should focus not only on the legs and hips, but should also include examination of the low back. In fact, with many low back problems, there is actually little or no low back pain. Instead, there may be leg pain, foot pain, and/or lower extremity numbness or weakness.
On a practical point many low back disorders can cause pain to radiate, or be referred to, the leg and/or foot, so an accurate diagnosis of leg pain or foot pain should include a low back examination. Not all leg pain derived from low back problems presents the same way. Leg pain caused by a low back problem is often accompanied by additional symptoms, such as leg numbness or weakness, or foot pain, and the type of leg pain experienced may vary widely from patient to patient.
These leg symptoms can be evidence of a problem in the low back, and it is usually advisable to seek medical attention to determine the cause of the pain and to find a course of treatment. Leg pain along with certain other symptoms may be a sign of a potentially serious condition and warrant urgent medical attention, such as:
Progressive weakness in the legs, which can be a sign of nerve damage
Bowel or bladder dysfunction
Fever and/or chills
Recent unintended weight loss
Significant trauma preceding symptoms
Several specific low back conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and more, are common causes of leg pain and foot pain.
So remember that Pain is a communicator, a warning, if you are experiencing any type of persistant pain do seek professional advice as soon as possible.
www.backtrouble.co.uk
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