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Sciatica, Leg Pain, Radiculopathy
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4 replies [Last post]
November 9, 2009 - 6:51am
Anonymous
Sciatica on both sides at same time?

Hi all lm new so please excuse me. I have straightening of the lower spine and early wear and tear to both shoulders and the rest of my spine ( and probally the rest of my joints). Recently l have new pain. I am experiencing sciatica? in both buttocks. The pain on the right will refer to the back of my right thigh and the pain on the left side will refer to just above my outside left knee. Its not too bad and will wear off but it is new and has not happened before. I am only recently diagnosed too so l have no idea what straightening of the lower spine is and if that is causing it. I have for years had horrendous right sided sacrilum pain which has also recently started on the lft hand side too Sad owwww Sad . Looking forward to speaking to thers who may have the same problems. I am due to see a physio at hospital next Friday. Thank you all x

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November 9, 2009 - 9:10am
#1
gwennie17
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Welcome to the board ~

I am only recently beginning to understand how everything is so inter-connected in the spine. When we have pain in one area, the natural reaction is to overcompensate. Muscles tighten in an attempt to "guard" the painful area...if we do this long enough the muscles on one side actually lengthen and on the opposite side, they shorten...same with the ligaments and other soft tissue. This can eventually lead to degenerative changes in the spine. Just like you can look at the heels of your shoes and notice if they are worn off in one way or another, this wearing unevenly also happens in the back.

If you have sciatic pain on both sides, it means that you have a bilateral problem further up in your lower back. It could be a disc that has herniated bilaterally and is causing bilateral nerve compression...or other things as well.

The spine has two natural curves. Flattening of the lower spine means that what should be the natural curve of the lower lumbar area has flattened out -- I think you used the word "straightened" but I am guessing what is meant is the loss of the natural curve. This too puts more pressure on the discs as the natural structure of the spine is changing.

The non-forum part of this website has much valuable information written by various spinal specialists. I suggest you spend some time browsing through and learning about some of these issues. You might want to start here:

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/sciatic-nerve-anatomy-an...

http://www.spine-health.com/information/anatomy-videos

Please feel free to post often with questions and comments.

Gwennie

_____________

I have no medical training. Comments are based on personal experience and lots of research and reading.
PLIF @ L4-5 with Peek cage, rods and screws Jan 2008
Lami-foraminotomy L5-S1 Jan 2009
Fusion L3-S1 coming up -- 1 June

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November 9, 2009 - 12:25pm
#2
niecsey (not verified)
Thank you so much for your

Thank you so much for your detailed reply much appreciated. You have giving me more info than anyone else has (medical people!) I will have a look at the info you have kindly sent me. I just get over one thing/learn about it then l have another to learn about! Life eh? Smile Gwennie thanks again and it was lovely to meet you hope you are having a good pain free day xxx ps l was told my lower spine had straightned out but l know what you mean about loss of natural curve.. how does this happen? Its ok if its too complicated to write about lol. Have a good day xx

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November 9, 2009 - 1:08pm
#3
Cath111
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Hi Denise

Welcome to Spine-Health.

It's very interesting how spinal radiculopathy works. It's no wonder that the word is so close to "ridiculous" - we get pains in our arms because of our cervical spine and pain in our legs and rearend because of our lumbar spine.

Anyway, I've also had sciatic pain in both legs. Makes it pretty difficult to walk, doesn't it? LOL Have you had an MRI? What were the results? Do you know what the physio doc is going to do on Friday?

I've included a link to a dermatome chart that you might find interesting (or maybe you've already seen this).

http://www.apparelyzed.com/dermatome.html

Take care and again, welcome to Spine-Health.

Cath

_____________

~ October 21, 2008 - ACDF, 3-level (C4/5, 5/6 6/7), with hardware and eight screws. All fused and hardware is stable.
~ January 6, 2010 - TLIF at L4/5, two rods and four pedicle screws.
~ July 2010 - New CT and MRI on cervical shows further problems above fusion at C2/3 and worst at C3/4.
I am in no way affiliated with the medical profession. Any recommendations I make are based on my personal experiences only, so do not take my comments as medical rules.

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November 10, 2009 - 5:10am
#4
niecsey (not verified)
Hi Cath sorry l never

Hi Cath sorry l never replied esrlier l am not getting notifications that anyone has answered my posts and dont know where to find this info so lm searching where l think l may of posted Sad I havnt had anything done yet at all. I had to cry( was in agony and at my wits end too) in my docs to get a 2nd opinion from another rheumy A WHOLE YEAR AFTER FIRST NUMB RHEUMY SEEN ME! Sad who found these other problems... my physio appointment is for initial assessment so dont know whats going to happen. Took me 5 years to even get xrays! Feeling uncomfy today not sciatica pain of my mid back affecting right ribs into my chest chest area was fine on xrays so take it its coming off my spine this sucks Sad I do get some horendous spasms ( l think there spasms) and have been to ER a few times for pain relief that is so awful Sad Hope your having a good day and nice to meet you thanks x

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