Low back pain and numb leg.

[compo]

My back is killing me and my entire left leg and foot feels numb, like when your foot goes to sleep. I had spinal surgery about 15 years ago which left a little altered sensation in my buttock and down to my knee but with no pain or muscle weakness. It seems that things are kicking off again and I am naturally a bit worried, especially as the numbness has spread right down to my foot. I can still cycle although bumps can cause back pain, as does walking. Walking is painful in my lower back. Obviously I have been to the doctor and had an MRI scan on my lumber and sacral spine the other day so I am waiting the results of that.

It is a pain in the bum getting old. Bits keep going wrong.

 

[roadrash]

i know exactly how you feel,
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/there-is-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel.164232/

may i ask what was the surgery you had previously
good luck getting it sorted

 

[fossyant]

Could be what you think. Could be sciatica

 

[welsh dragon]

It could be sciatica. Trapped nerve. Go to your Doctor. If it is sciatica physiotherapy can help. A physiotherapist can show you gentle exercises that stretch the back and leg and can eleviate the numbness. Good luck. Hope your back gets better soon.

 

[Mo1959]

Sounds like the sciatic nerve. I had sciatica nearly 4 years ago and have been left with slight numbness down parts of my left leg and the outside of my left foot. MRI showed bulging L4 and L5 discs. Got some physio but can't say it made any difference. I have just learned to live with it.

 

[vickster]

I had a slipped disc decompressed 20 years ago, my left calf and behind knee are still numb...but at least I can walk

Sounds very much like sciatica for sure

 

[compo]

Previously I had two vertebrae fused and a couple of discs decompressed.

Obviously it is sciatica again, but sciatica is largely a symptom rather than a condition in it's own right so we need to find the cause, hence the MRI scan.

 

[numbnuts]

I've got the same problem, mine I think is a prolapsed disc had one last year it went back in it's own, but it took over four month, but I'll know more when I get a scan, last time it was out by 10 mm and could be seen very clearly.

 

[vickster]

Previously I had two vertebrae fused and a couple of discs decompressed.

Obviously it is sciatica again, but sciatica is largely a symptom rather than a condition in it's own right so we need to find the cause, hence the MRI scan.

I wouldn't cycle or do any sort of sporty activity until you have the results, a diagnosis and a treatment plan

 

[Penmere]

I have had a very painful lower back and weakness in both legs now for sometime, finally diagnosed as Spinal Stenosis. Should be having spinal surgery in the next month or so, had my pre-op yesterday.

 

[Mrs M]

I have had a very painful lower back and weakness in both legs now for sometime, finally diagnosed as Spinal Stenosis. Should be having spinal surgery in the next month or so, had my pre-op yesterday.

Good luck with your surgery. I have my lower back fused and now consider myself "bionic". Advised cycling was one of the best excercises for me. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

 

[compo]

I have had a very painful lower back and weakness in both legs now for sometime, finally diagnosed as Spinal Stenosis. Should be having spinal surgery in the next month or so, had my pre-op yesterday.

Good luck and all the best for a successful outcome.

 

[Penmere]

Thank you all I keep reading that cycling is good for stenosis, can manage the exercise bike in the gym but struggle on my bike but it's more the weakness than pain

 

[compo]

Update:

My doctor said cycling would be OK in moderation. I did one ride and felt great, a few days later I did another and totally overdid it and have been really hurting for almost a week and haven't been near the bike since. My back is stiff and painful and both hips are bad and I now have sciatica in both legs. I am trying to keep mobile walking with a stick but it's hard going.

I had the MRI scan and when I rang for the results there was a note on my file that the GP would contact me. A week or so later he hadn't so I have made a telephone appointment where the doctor phones you up. That was another couple of weeks wait and is due tomorrow (Monday. 3 Nov) so hopefully by then I will get the MRI result.