Back pain radiates to foot: causes, treatment, what to do

This problem is also known as sciatica. Many people are very careless with this issue, believing that "maybe more, and longer", in fact, a symptom is a cause for serious concern and immediate a visit to the doctor, if you value your health.

back pain

If you're after physical exertion or cold exposure feel back pain, which "gives" up – do not wait for the pain go away on its own, this may not happen. And if the pain will pass – it is virtually guaranteed it will reappear in the form of relapse at every opportunity. So don't delay the solution of this problem.

Usually the pain appears suddenly, it can appear on one side of the waist, or from two (but this rarely happens). Very soon the pain shifted to the leg, it becomes hard to straighten, movement, and stress causes serious pain. To stand on aching leg becomes almost impossible, one begins to cherish her, trying to protect themselves from the pain. All this looks not too nice leg usually is slightly flexed, is removed to the side or forward, the body slightly tilted.

This condition can last almost indefinitely. Periods of relief will be replaced by relapses, but to get rid of pain completely by using only "folk" remedies and recommendations from the Internet is almost impossible. The simplest way to get rid of pain for some period of time is the "fetal position", but this is useless advice if the pain caught up to you in a public place. At home you can just lie on the healthy side, clasp hands and hugged her leg. It is very advisable to take pain relievers.

But this is only a temporary measure, is still able to relieve the pain. If you have a sick lower back right or left is a reason to seek immediate medical attention.

What is sciatica?

Under this concept implies pain in the lower back where the pain "gives" in one or both legs. The reason are almost always increased physical stress or hypothermia. The nature and localization of pain is not unique – the pain can be both strong and weak, aching, she can be more pronounced in the lower back and leg.

Manifesting in lower back pain can vary in shape, while each of these forms has its own clinical manifestations:

  • muscular-tonic. In this case, characterized by the appearance of spasms of the lumbar muscles, a sharp restriction of mobility in the lumbar spine, curvature of the spine (kyphosis, scoliosis, etc.);
  • vegetative-vascular. In this case, in parallel with burning pain numbness sore feet (in most cases stops. It may be colder to the touch than healthy, it will seem more pale. For this form characterized by sensations of chilliness or heat. Sensitivity to cold may be due to increased vascular tone. Also, when changing the position from horizontal to vertical, there is pain;

In this situation, may also be combined from all three forms of sciatica. However, it can take years of aggravation will be replaced by remissions, but the disease does not go away on its own. Have sciatica and a kind of "sister" - sciatica which can also occur in such situations. It is usually manifested by pain in the buttocks or thigh that may radiate into the foot and the Shin.

The cause of the pain – radicular syndromes

With all the variety of forms and location of pain, the cause is almost always one – sciatica, resulting from degenerative disc disease. Often this back pain is preceded by attacks of lumbago, lumbalgia and sciatica.

As mentioned above, the main cause of pain in the lumbosacral spine is a mechanical pressure on nerve endings, resulting in a herniated disc (hernia of the spine). As a result of impaired blood circulation in the affected Department, the inflammation, swelling.

In case of irritation of the spine, resulting in total displacement of intervertebral disc, it may be pain of different character, dull, aching, cutting, tearing, shooting. Directly to the onset of pain is usually preceded by an awkward movement, an injury to the back, lifting weights with a jerk, a sharp inclination or rotation of the torso (especially with cargo), long-term operation in an awkward bent position, etc.

Usually the pain arises suddenly, first on one side of the lower back (rarely from both sides), in some cases, pain may occur in the hip or buttock. After a short period of time (usually 5-7 days), pain in lower back spreading to the leg, while it is a serious impediment to straighten the affected limb. People start to instinctively "protect" the injured limb, keeping it from loading. For example, when walking, the person ceases to occur on the whole foot resulting in a limp when walking, the affected leg is almost always half-bent position and is retracted to the side or forward away from the main load.

The simplest way to get the time from the pain, as we have said, is the "fetal position" - lying on the healthy side, draw to the belly of the limb. If the pain spreads to both legs, the patient has to lie on his back, pulling both to his bent legs. To turn the stomach of people can't – the pain in this case will sharply increase.

Quite characteristic is the sharp increase in pain at any movement, whether walking, rotate the torso, or just trying to get out of bed. Even talking, coughing or sneezing can contribute to increased pain. In some cases the pain becomes so great that hinder a person to sleep. As a result of the person appears depressed, depression may develop. That is why many people with back problems, make an appointment with a psychologist.

Often pain syndrome, caused by compression of spinal roots, accompanied by sensitivity disorders: decrease or an increase in pain sensitivity, in the patient's foot may appear burning, numbness, contraction, cold, feeling crawling "pins and needles", etc.

It is also very unpleasant – the pain in the lumbosacral spine radiating to the leg, almost always returns in the form of relapse. Unless, of course, carried out a full treatment, but in this case, people should know some rules and follow certain rules. The main cause of relapses are colds (ARI), hypothermia, heavy exercise, etc.

The first aid in such a situation, almost always is an effective analgesic drug. But this is only a temporary means to mask the pain, without the help of a doctor in such a situation do not. Almost certainly the doctor will prescribe a serious treatment, which will include the appointment of special funds, limitation of activity, massage, physical therapy, etc.