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lower back pain, now leg pain, what is wrong with me??
I injured my lower back 2 weeks ago and went to the emergency room 8 days after the first signs of pain. I do not know how I hurt my back. At the point that I went to see the Dr. the pain was so intense that I had to hold on to objects to walk and could not lift my left foot off the floor. I had severe back spasms and needed assistance to get out of bed and move around. My exam was the Dr. looking at my back, asking me some questions, and checking the general heart rate/blood pressure, etc. The Dr. there said that I needed rest and perscribed an anti-inflammatory (Motrin), muscle relaxant (Flexeril), and a pain (Vicodin) medicine and sent me home. Four days after seeing the Dr. my upper legs are numb (the front side of my thighs), and I have a "pins and needles" sensation on the outside of my thighs. My back still hurts and is painful to the touch and even when resting against the back of chairs. When I stand with both feet flat on the floor, my shoulders are even, but my right hip is noticible higher than the left hip. When sitting my husband swears that I lean to the left, but I feel that I am sitting straight. I only have the anti-inflammatory medicine left to take. I have difficulty sleeping at night as I am uncomfortable and only sleep 2 hours at a time and I can only comfortable stand for up to 45minutes at a time. I work a very active job and I have to lift heavy objects throughout the day (I work 10hour days). Im 27 years old and have had very minor health problems and none regarding my back up until this. Should I be concerned and go back to the Dr? To make matters worse, this week I will be returning back to work with a back brace but I don't feel that I can adequately perform my job. What should I do?
Answer:
lower back pain, now leg pain, what is wrong with me??
Did your dr. take any xrays or scans of your back? Did you injure your back at work. Clearly if you are not getting any better you should not return to work in this condition. If your seeing your primary dr. maybe a referral to a neurologist is in order the sooner the better. Also if all is clear x-ray wise ask about physical therapy. Do let us know.