Question 1

what are symptoms of having low back pain at the level of l5-s1? what is sciatica? please help and explain

Accepted Answer

Sciatica is leg pain: Sciatica is a symptom . Leg pain and it does no say where it originates.

L5-s1 could cause a back ache or leg pain or spasms in the low back  or numbness in the buttock or leg. 

You need to be examined by a doctor to find the origin of the pain so that a decision can be made as to what to treat or not to treat.

Question 2

l3-l4 5mm disk bulge, l4-l5 9mm bulge, dehydrated disks, moderate central canal stenosis. what are my options for treatment? symptoms are lower back pain at rest, waking up middle of night, sometimes radiating pain. will decompression machine help?

Accepted Answer

: You should try non-narcotic pain reliever and physical therapy first.
Please follow with a spine orthopedist.

Question 3

had a spinal fusion of l5 s1 in 2007. starting to experience same symptoms as before op. lower back pain spreading down my left buttocks and leg. leg feeling weak and foot going numb/tingling when i sit for long periods, like in traffic.

Accepted Answer

Neurosurgeon: I recommend consulting a neurosurgeon or the specialist who performed your procedure to evaluate and advise you. An MRI will most likely be recommended as part of the evaluation. Don't delay if actual leg muscle weakness is setting in. Pain and numbness is one thing, but leg weakness is very worrisome and could become permanent.

Question 4

what are the causes for acute lateral shift in the spine that developed suddenly accompanied with back pain (i have herniated l4-l5?

Accepted Answer

: Auto accident, lifting, getting beaten up or kicked, being hit with a bat or wrench or skillet.  Bike accident, running accident to mention a few causes. Could give better answer if we could do telemed.

Question 5

how sucessfull are spinal fusions for reliving constant back pain .i had a discetomy of l4and l5 2years  ago?

Accepted Answer

Varies: By far the most important factor is patient selection. If the pain is very clearly coming from that disc and there is nothing else contributing, there is about a 90  percent success rate.  But it can be hard in that there are often multiple things that can contribute to a persons back pain, and if they are not all addressed in surgery, they might still hurt despite surgery.

Question 6

can my dr do anything for back pain due to a 3mm bulge at l5-s1?

Accepted Answer

A lot of things: We start doing things in sequences, start from the easy stuff and progress to surgery.
Physical therapy
 pain medications
anti- inflammatory medications.
Muscle relaxant.
Occupational therapy.
Trigger points injections.
 Epidural injections.
Microdisctomy.
Good luck.

Question 7

i have back pain and a injury to l2, l3, l4 l5 on my spine. what kind of exercise is safe for me to do?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the injur: It depends on the severity of the injury.  I generally recommend you avoid exercises that increase loading to your spine or impact activities.  Thus, biking or elliptical machines or swimming are better than running.  Also, no heavy weight lifting that loads your back such as squats.

Question 8

i have serve back pain 2 months after back surgery. i had l5 and s1 disc removed. now i'm in worse pain then before. is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Back pain: Not normal but a common problem. After the herniated disc is removed, a recurrent disc or collapse of the disc space can cause new back and leg pain. This can lead to a repeat of the nonoperative measures such as physical therapy and cortisone injections. A back brace may help. Emotionally it is very deflating because you feel that you are back at the beginning of the process. It will get better.

Question 9

grade2 spondylolisthesis of l5/s1. i get back pain at least once per year for a week? does the pain mean the vertebra is further slipping forward?

Accepted Answer

Usually not: Even a spondylolisthesis that is not further shifting forward can cause episodes of back and leg pain.  It is fairly uncommon (although not impossible) for it to slip further in an adult patient.  If you have any concern, don't hesitate to be seen in follow up for a repeat exam and X-ray.

Question 10

i am suffering from back pain due to mild compression at l4 - l5 since 2011.feels inflammation & burns with pain whenever i sit or stand for long hr?

Accepted Answer

Sciatica: Pain in the distribution as you suggested describes the pattern of the nerve that travels in the leg called the sciatic nerve.  The sciatic nerve is not the cause of the pain source, it is the result of an irritated nerve typically in the lumbar spine (low back) which are caused by herniated disks, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease requiring further evaluation by a spine specialist.

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Doctor answers about:

L5 back pain symptoms

A member asked:

What are symptoms of having low back pain at the level of l5-s1? what is sciatica? please help and explain

A member asked:

L3-l4 5mm disk bulge, l4-l5 9mm bulge, dehydrated disks, moderate central canal stenosis. what are my options for treatment? symptoms are lower back pain at rest, waking up middle of night, sometimes radiating pain. will decompression machine help?

A member asked:

Had a spinal fusion of l5 s1 in 2007. starting to experience same symptoms as before op. lower back pain spreading down my left buttocks and leg. leg feeling weak and foot going numb/tingling when i sit for long periods, like in traffic.

A member asked:

What are the causes for acute lateral shift in the spine that developed suddenly accompanied with back pain (i have herniated l4-l5?

A member asked:

How sucessfull are spinal fusions for reliving constant back pain .i had a discetomy of l4and l5 2years ago?

A member asked:

Can my dr do anything for back pain due to a 3mm bulge at l5-s1?

A member asked:

I have back pain and a injury to l2, l3, l4 l5 on my spine. what kind of exercise is safe for me to do?

A member asked:

I have serve back pain 2 months after back surgery. i had l5 and s1 disc removed. now i'm in worse pain then before. is this normal?

A member asked:

Grade2 spondylolisthesis of l5/s1. i get back pain at least once per year for a week? does the pain mean the vertebra is further slipping forward?

A member asked:

I am suffering from back pain due to mild compression at l4 - l5 since 2011.feels inflammation & burns with pain whenever i sit or stand for long hr?

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