Numbness and Pain in Lower Leg

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have numb sore feeling in the upper part of my leg. About 3 weeks ago I woke up with a sore back on my spine in the middle of my back. The next day below my knees on both sides had a tingling feeling on the side and my feet as well. My back is not as bad as it was but now my left leg goes numb all the time and today it is starting to hurt. Can you tell me what may be wrong? I had some xrays taken so far and am waiting to see a neurologist.

Dear Heidi: Most of the causes of back pain are benign in nature and only a small number of cases where there may be a serious underlying cause. The most common causes of causes of back pain are musculo-skeletal strain, herniated intrervertebral disc, nerve impingement syndromes, spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc diseases.

You have mentioned that you are experiencing numbness of the left leg along with tingling sensations. These neurological symptoms are common findings in radiculopathy or nerve root compression which may not be evident on an x-ray. MRI is the investigation of choice in diagnosing herniated disc and nerve root compression.

Treatment involves proper posture, refraining form lifting heavy weights, strengthening exercise of the neck and lower back and surgery in certain cases.