Severe chronic back pain

I've had a number of MRIs, but I don't think it's a spine related issue. It's burning pain that feels like muscle or tendon is being torn from the bone near the top of my left side pelvic area. Pain can spread out from there along with stiffness across my lower back that impedes walking. 100-200 yards without assistance is my limit and uphill is TOUGH.

What type of Dr are you seeing and what tests have you had? I highly recommend x-rays if it has been a long time or possibly MRI. I have been a regular for years at PT with osteoarthritis in lumbar/thoracic/cervical along with herniated lumbar disc at L4/L5. (We had mostly been working on my neck) Finally saw an orthopedic Dr at Mayo Rochester last month who tested my core and said I am not firing some core stabilizer muscles (despite me doing core exercises at home). If you are having disc issues I highly recommend PT to stabilize your core. It has made a world of difference for me. I started using a machine she recommended to help me learn to fire those sleeping muscles. It has made a world of difference.

Have you had surgery? Sounds to me like you need to find an excellent orthopedic surgeon and have that lumbar bath taken care of! If you don’t, the nerves that you are crushing will be permanently damaged as what happened to me! I was seeing a neurosurgeon who would’ve never done surgery on my back. I don’t trust most doctors, but when I landed in the office of my orthopedic surgeon, I knew I was in love a month later (after 20 years of doctors) I was in lumbar surgery and I was given a new life! I can weed I can walk I can exercise And I can enjoy life 100% more. I’m not free from pain as I have degenerative disc condition. That means my back will continue to degenerate my for the rest of my aging life. This means more exercise, more attention to diet more attention to weight—And all this stuff we don’t want to be faced with when we get to our golden years. I am dedicated to living the rest of my life the best I can. I try all modalities. After six years of having my life back from having a great lumbar surgery, I’m now faced with more surgery, but I’m not afraid. Find a great orthopedic surgeon. Don’t wait too long before nerves are crushed beyond resurrection.

I've had the L1-L5 laminecty 3 years ago, but it didn't fix my current issue which seems to be related to muscle movement. I've had the issue well before any osteo arthritis caused issues with spinal stenosis. I don't think any x-ray or MRI will be helpful. IMO a MRI with 3-D capability might be helpful.

Anyone ever consult a kinesiologist for muscle related issues?

I’ve had 3 major back surgeries.
First one in 1986 at the age of 30. I had a ruptured disc.
I’m 69 now. Everything that can be wrong with a back I suffer from. I’ve had every injection available. Did pain nerve ablations for 3 years with very little relief. Finally had a spinal stimulator implanted. Eureka!
It has wiped out a minimum 80% of my back pain. I also had a hip replacement a few years ago.
The other one is failing. Both knees are arthritic with torn meniscus’s. Both shoulders have torn rotator cuffs. Needless to say I have a lot of pain.
Pharmaceuticals provide no help. I use the Indica strain of medical marijuana to get some sleep. It literally saved my life.
I do physical therapy 4 days a week for my entire body. I go to yoga one day a week. PT is an absolute must for the rest of my life and it will continue after everything has been replaced.
Good luck.

I can attest to chronic progressive pain in my lower back, spine, hips, back of my legs. I'm startto get used to crying. I have CIDP which is a chronic neuropathy of the peripheral nerves. I know my pain is caused from my CIDP condition and several other maladies you have listed. I have them all. I have seen one surgeon during all of this and was not convinced. I'll leave it at that. I'm curious though why a lot of people insist on orthopedic surgeons to relieve these conditions which include giving my crushed nerve roots room to be free. I saw a neurosurgeon.
Well I would certainly explore the spine surgery option. I do wish I had put more time into it before things got exponentially worse. Some days pain means taking a step forward.
I do use a lot of creams, yes like mentioned with capsaicin, patches with lidocaine. VOLTAREN, ICY HOT, I prefer the roll on from creams, easier to apply.
Heat and cold. I have a small electric blanket. I place it on my back exactly along the length of my pain areas. I use ice topically. I interchange. They both help tremendously some times. Of course I take pregabalin, I have neuropathy, not much if a relief, so I have to take more serious painkillers or else I would have to spend my days in a horrible state for me and for my loved ones. That is not me. If you have a doctor you know and trust, talk about pain management. Options? Real options. Make an appointment for a pain clinic. See what they say. Take that information back to the doctor you trust.
Of course some physical therapy. Do as much as you can. Find a distraction, something you like doing that is productive, I find that helpful. Write, draw, paint, sing, meditate, research things you're curious about, watch documentaries, take a course online....suggestions.
Try. Find a way to deal with the pain.

I started researching doctors today, something has to happen soon I have a huge lump now in my lower back

@bajjerfan
Have you been to a neurologist/neuromuscular specialist and have you had EMG/nerve conduction studies of your upper and lower limbs? Have you had extensive bloodwork done related to muscle function?

@bajjerfan
Have you had MRI of your hips/pelvis? It would show soft tissue injury. Mine showed I had bilateral gluteal tendinopathy and bilateral hamstring high grade partial tears. PT is usually suggested first and steroid injections for inflammation and surgery may be needed for serious tears (I may need debridement surgery on my right hamstring as it is not healing on its own).

Yes, I have the World‘s best orthopedic surgeon in the world as far as I’m concerned! I’ve had four opinions and they were all different but when I met Dr. Z at Ucsd, I knew I found a prince! I had my lumbar surgery six years ago and it was magnificent. Unfortunately, I have degenerative disc disease and bones and discs in my spine. Have all the other degenerative effects of stenosis, herniated discs bone deterioration and everything else that goes with it overtime. Every time something else deteriorates we have to review where I am in the process. I was still working when I had the first lumbar surgery and my work required mobility and bending. That’s why we agreed on the plan we originally did. There is nothing on earth that is going to removedegenerative disc disease as I age. People have to realize that the only thing that can be done is “management”. This involves an orthopedic surgeon. Degenerative disc disease as I age. People have to realize that the only thing that can be done is “management“. This involves an orthopedic surgeon that listens well, is magnificently competent and highly creative. I have had three surgeries with my surgeon and each time there’s a huge amount of creativity and on the spot decision-making that happens when he opens my body up. People better have all the confidence in the world with their orthopedic surgeon before they let them work on their bodies. I have a horrible story of a surgeon who got mad at me and wouldn’t do my back surgery and he was gonna do the whole entire back and I would’ve lost my mobility and my work. It was the best thing that happened to me, although at the time I was devastated and I didn’t understand. Well my surgeon that actually did my surgery told me that he did the guys revisions meaning that the guy, although published and on television and working for the local hospital was not confident when it came to spine surgeries. Since I had my surgery, the bad doctor showed up with negligence lawsuits. I was very lucky to have escaped his clutches. People will spend years looking for a car, but they won’t spend years researching their doctors!