lower back/bum/leg pain

Hi All,

New to this forum so any advice surrounding my problem or where better to look is much appreciated.

Basically about 5 weeks ago I developed a lower back pain over a few days, first noticed during a footy session but not enough to stop me at the time. I haven't been able to play since, haven't even been able to jog.

Initially it felt like something was pushing against my lower spine when i walked or moved my leg 50 degrees up (at any angle from my body), and it was uncomfortable to bend over/get in car/get in bed.

Now the pains moved to my left arse cheek and my leg (i think maybe my knee because of the overcompensated limping), but i still cant support my own bodyweight on my left leg comfortably.

Doctors took blood test and x-ray which showed nothing wrong, and he said should be better in a few weeks (been longer than that now).

Background is I play footy twice a week and had no problems before, strange that this happened though cos its not asif i suddenly pulled my back or anything.

Any advice on how to get better quick is much appreciated.

thanks
Jamie

You are describin a peripheralising effect of your low back pain - this is quite common in a discogenic pain. Your mechanism of injury isn't specifically typical of a disc pathology but your symptoms certainly seem to be.
Back pain will usually resolve within 6 weeks - that said that doesn't mean you can't have physio early on.
I suggest you go back to the doctor for a physio referral - if possible look for a therapist that is mckenzie trained (they understand disc pain quite well).
We need more information and an examination to make a true diagnosis and advise exercises through the forum.

You need to visit a physio as the cause of your pain doesn't have to be related to a disc problem - you could be looking at a stability problem or SIJ problem - it may be possible you have a disc prolapse even which would require a MRI to confirm.

Seek further assessment and help. good luck to you

Thanks for the response.

Went to a physio up the road yesterday, after a few prods and massages and stretches, she said she believes its damaged ligaments in my sacroiliac joint. Basically she said it can come from nothing, and that ideally I would need to rest for a long time, but as walking is part of everyday life, the joint and ligaments are constantly working, therefore will take longer to heal (as opposed to an ankle injury,say).

Exercises to do are:

Laying down on back, place a soft tennis ball directly under where the pain is (in my case, its my left arse cheek, near my tailbone. Knees at an angle, move the leg over to the side of the body so that the tennis ball is simulating a deep tissue massage. Repeat 20 times, but only once every other day.

Laying on back, lift left knee up, use left hand to move left knee toward right shoulder, and use right hand on left ankle to bring towards your body. this stretches the bumcheek. Hold for 10 secs and repeat 10 times twice a day.

This next one i found pretty hard because of the injury. Lay flat on back. Tilt your pelvis up and towards the top of your body. Only tilt until you can feel uncomfortable, never past it.

Hope this advice is helpful to those who have a similar injury, its so frustrating as the rest of my body is fine yet i can't even run!

SIJ is not a very common complaint but certainly a possiblity - see if the exercises help... theres nothing there addressing the lower back (well maybe one of them) but one assumes she has assessed that and decided not to.
all the best with therapy. let us know if it resolves.

(making 3rd post so I can post links in my next one...)
Additional Comment I forgot:
Hi all,

Checking back into this forum to share my experience so hopefully it will save people some time/money.

Basically from my experience, going to your GP is an absolute waste of time - they turn you away with a back exercises sheet and reassure you all will be fine in a few weeks - it won't.

I tried sports massages, these were £25 a hour and helped for short term relief but does not solve the problem. The guy actually advised me to go to a chiropractor (which was extremely honest of him as he could have referred me to the place he worked, but said this one was better (Ulrik Sandstrøm BSc DC. Chiropractic in Mansfield, UK) - i went to the sheffield one.
Its priced at £65 for 45 min 1st consultation then £28 for every 15 min follow up. Luckily I have private healthcare to pay for 75% of every treatment.

Anyway, they are extremely honest there, not out to give you as many sessions to fill their pockets, but want you sorted as soon as possible.

He said that I may have a lapsed (slipped) disc, which does not show up on x-rays hence why the Doctors had not picked it up. He also said i may have something called ankylosing spondylitis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankylosing_spondylitist), but hoped not, as this is a form of arthritis common in young males.

I had around 7 sessions of spine manipulation, and it genuinely felt better after each session. I slowly got back into footy, but it seemed that i never got past 80% comfortable.

Whilst all this was happening, my hospital appointments were ongoing (but slow). My doctor said he thinks it could be a lapsed disc, so sent me for an MRI scan (only just had this, get results in ~2 weeks) to rule this out. He has analysed x-rays from when I first had complaints, to 6 months after, and said that my SI joint had signs of inflammation, so prescribed me Diclofenac, which is an anti inflammatory drug. It is take 3 times a day with meals, and the intention is to take the inflammation down which could stop the touching of the nerve caused by the lapsed disc. This has worked absolute wonders, as since I have been on this I have been able to play football at 100%. This is all I have ever wanted!! But the tablets are running out, and obviously don't want to be dependent on them so I will stop once my prescription has ended and see how I go from there.

Anyway, from my experience I would say the best way to go about lower back pain that is similar to mine is to ask your GP for NHS chiropractic referral, try to keep your exercise levels up (last thing you want is for your spine to get used to limping/non natural positions), and eat well. Also take plenty of cod liver oil.

Obviously seek GP advice before doing any of the above, as its each to their own with any case.

Hope this helps at least one person, I don't want anyone to go through the pain and stress I've been through over the past year. Not being able to play football is ridiculously depressing, and the sooner you're able to get back into your sport of choice, the better for both your body and mind.

Take care, Jamie