Low Back Pain Going into Hip and Leg

Harvey, what you don't say is what your diagnosis is? Many of us have had many illnesses and it would help us to help you if you could be more specific? You're not just speaking of a headache.

Discs are pressing are various nerves from L3 to S1

Sounds like you need fusion and maybe disk replacement? I was fused in 1992 and newer techniques are far superior. I presume you've been offered some surgical options like I noted? Pain is no fun and causes too many side effects in treating it. Current techniques work much better from the people I know who have had them done. I presume you must have some arthritis so don't expect to be totally pain free after surgery. What I know is don't stop moving. Even though my back is terrible and I take narcotic pain meds, except for my back I'm healthier than I've ever been walking 2 miles daily, stretching 2-3 times a day.

I wouldn't want to repeat my surgery in the future if I was you. My surgery is so old and now known to be problematic as I age. But I'm not having my L4-S1 SS bars removed to be replaced with titanium cages at 69. Recovery is too long and painful. I recommend you consider the future with your back.

@harvey2007 Sometimes medical humor is best not shared. Since you have these opinions, and you have the report to review yourself, don’t discount your own understanding and opinions. Have you seen any similarities in what you have been told? These doctors have written a summary of their visit with you that you have access to. Don’t hesitate to call them for clarification or explanation if you have questions. Years ago when I was struggling with specialists and making decisions, I would schedule with my primary care physician to discuss issues. We joked that I needed to talk with my “real doctor”. But he helped me sort out where I had confusion. Do you have anyone to ask for such support?

I can identify with you. Good luck

I am very familiar with what your issues are. Radiculopathy is what it sounds. Not one surgeon indicated that it was until I had to file for disability. My endocrinologist I had at the time described it to me. He had also studied chiropractic. My pain goes down my left side and down the leg which trips the muscle into spasm. It is no fun. Had surgery in L4-L5. It didn’t work since it extends to S1-S2 and into the sacrum. Good luck to you and wish you the best in your quest. I had some great physical therapist who were forth coming with diagrams from there books to help me understand which nerve and where it traveled from each disc. No surgeon ever gave me a true diagnosis. The just asked where the pain was and not fully evaluate to see how many discs are involved. Be cautious of those over anxious docs who just jump into performing surgery.

My only thought is that you m ight benefit from visiting the pain management department of your hospital.
To some degree, there is possibly a L4/5 compression which also compresses the L4/5 nerve causing the symptoms that you describe.
Good luck.

I'm ready for pain meds. To blank with it. Forget the cure that never seems to happen no matter how many things procedures I do. Its the pain that stops me. Yea something might get worse not feeling the pain. I can't imagine things being worse that bed rest 20 out of 24 hours a day.

I’m fused S1-T4, C4-5-6. I also have serious left hip pain, down the side and inside of my thigh and into the outside of my calf. There is no stretch or change of position that changes the pain. I take Celebrex daily and ketorolac for breakthrough pain. It prevents me from walking far and is my most serious issue right now. So I understand your pain completely. My pain doc has ordered an MRI to look at the lumbar area where I have severe stenosis. If he can get through the fusions and the arthritis he can inject the area and maybe get some relief. That’s my plan for now. I avoid opiate drugs like the plague. They don’t work, addict you and make you worse. You can develop mindfulness and actually think your way out of a lot of pain. I do it everyday. Maybe look into that also?