QUESTION: Why does my leg hurt and feel numb sometimes? Is this related to my lower back?
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ANSWER: Numbness or tingling sensations in the legs could definitely be related to your back. What you are describing sounds like lumbar spinal stenosis, but it’s important that you have your spine evaluated to determine the exact cause and course of treatment.
Another problem that can cause numbness is neuropathy, which is a complication from diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease. Seeing a spine specialist can help pinpoint the problem.
Stenosis is a medical term simply meaning narrowing, so essentially this is “spine narrowing.” The nerves of the spine are getting pinched as they exit from the spinal canal through the center hole between the bones, which is called the foramen.
This nerve compression can result in sciatic pain that radiates down through your leg. You may also feel a loss of strength and fatigue in the legs as the sciatic nerve is pressed and becomes inflamed and irritated.
Many find that leaning forward may relieve the pressure and stop the pain — this is referred to as the “shopping cart sign.” It’s also common for this type of pain to happen during specific activities, or it can come and go rather than being a constant sensation.
A combination of conditions can lead to spinal stenosis, including facet arthritis and disc degeneration, which occurs in everyone to some extent, through aging. As we get older, the height between the vertebral bodies is decreased, thus reducing the space available for the nerves to exit from the spine. Pinched nerves are a very common occurrence.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
First, have your spine evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon to determine the severity of your condition. Although it is best to start with a surgeon, most cases will be treated non-surgically. Spinal stenosis is diagnosed by a review of your symptoms and imaging studies, such as X-rays, or MRI or CT scans.
There are many ways to treat back pain and spinal stenosis, but having a medical doctor review your case before you try a home remedy or other therapy is highly recommended.
The first line of treatment will usually involve physical therapy and both prescription and over-the-counter medications. If symptoms persist and nonsurgical treatments do not provide relief, surgery may be recommended, especially for patients with leg weakness. Surgical options may include a lumbar decompression and/or lumbar fusion, depending on your individual needs.
