How to Identify Lower Back and Leg Pain

Lower back and leg pain can be caused by various factors. If you are suffering with this type of pain, it is important to try and find the cause. It is most likely not a serious condition, but there are some illnesses which cause pain in the lower back and legs. Here's how to get to the root of your pain:

Instructions

• 1

  First identify exactly where you are experiencing your lower back and leg pain symptoms. Look at whether the pain came after an injury or after lifting a heavy object. You will want to know if the pain is on one or both sides of your body. Does the pain radiate down the entire leg(s) or is it focused in one or both thighs? Write down if your pain in your thigh, calf, knees, or everywhere. Also try and identify the type of pain whether it is stabbing, shooting, throbbing, mild, constant, etc.

• 2

  You will then want to rule out whether the cause of your lower back and leg pain is due to an injury or overuse. If you recently lifted a heavy object, over-stretched at the gym, or something similar, talk with your doctor about the possibility of herniated discs, pulled muscles, strained muscles, etc.

• 3

  Next you want to see if you are experiencing pain associated with sciatica. This causes compression of the sciatic nerve which creates lower back and leg pain which is felt usually only on one side. The lower back will be sore, sometimes the buttocks, and down the outside of one thigh. The pain also sometimes radiates all the way down to the toes.

• 4

  If you are a woman, you will then want to rule out conditions such as ovarian cysts, fibroids, and endometriosis. All three of these will cause pain in the lower back and possibly into the thighs. Ovarian cysts will usually cause pain only one side of the lower back and thigh unless you have cysts on both sides. Endometriosis will cause lower back and leg pain usually on both sides of the body.

• 5

  Next you want to rule out spinal stenosis. This will cause pain and leg numbness. Ask your doctor for a spinal x-ray if you are experiencing these symptoms.

• 6

  Next you want to rule out fibromyalgia as the cause of your lower back and leg pain. This condition often causes widespread aches and pains throughout the body.