Having Extreme Pain In Back, Numbness In Legs. Not Cured By Ibuprofen And Steroid Pack. What To Do?

Posted on Fri, 12 Oct 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 Answered on

Fri, 2 Nov 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been in extreme pain in my back for three weeks. Pain shooting down my butt to my legs and now I have numbness in my legs. I have taken 600mg ibuprohen 3 times a day and a oral steroid pack and nothing is working.

Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (38 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to Healthcare Magic!
You seem to be having some neurological problem as a cause for your symptoms unless proven otherwise.
The backache radiating to buttocks and legs along with the numbness indicates a serious local cause affecting the spine.
It can be a sciatica or disc prolapse related issue.
You should get a thorough physical and neurological examination by a neurologist and get investigated to point out the exact diagnosis.
You would need CT/MRI spine as suggested after the examination and follow the advise accordingly.
meanwhile you should avoid awkward postures, should use a hard bed for lying down, use local pain killer spray like one containing diclofenac gel.
If you have any further query please let me know I would try to answer it for you.
Wish you a great health!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar