I have pain in the left lower back that spreads down the back of the left leg and knee. Please help.

Question

Hi doctor,

Before three months, I started to do my office job. It is desk-based but it involves some lifting, carrying, and a driven commute for an hour every day. I was doing my office work for some years. Before eight weeks, I started to have back pain and it is getting worse now. The pain is sharp and intermittent. Nowadays, my symptoms are getting worse and I am unable to get out of my car. My pain is present on the left side of my lower back. It gets spread to my left leg and knee after sitting down. I also get some pins and needle pain in my left foot. I find it hard to do lumbar flexion and left-side flexion. I have tenderness over L4 and L5 towards the left and center. Kindly help me.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query. You are suffering from LBA (lower backache). It occurs due to prolonged sitting, improper posture, and bending straight. It often gets radiated from knee to foot. I suggest you take an X-ray or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the spine to know the point of pain. You can use an LS belt (lumbosacral belt) to get relief from pain. Always sit straight. Do not bend forward. If you want to pick up something, sit and then pick it up. You can take the tablet Aceclofenac once a day after food. Apply Diclofenac ointment on the lower back and cover it with a cotton cloth for ten to fifteen minutes following hot water fermentation. Try to do this for a week and revert with the reports of an MRI spine or X-ray of the spine in anteroposterior view and lateral view. Diclofenac ointment helps to reduce your pain and use it twice a day. If the pain is severe, do not do any exercise related to the back. If you can bear the pain, then you can do back-strengthening exercises. You may require physiotherapy treatment including IFT (interferential therapy), ultrasound, and traction.