What Causes Pain In The Lower Back Radiating To The Heel After Injury?

Posted on Sun, 9 Apr 2017

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

Sun, 9 Apr 2017 Answered on

Wed, 3 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I hurt myself moving a metal planter filled with dirt on my deck. I have pain down my left leg (I am left handed and leftlegged) that starts up below my waist, goes down my left buttocks, toward the side/back of my left leg, calf, Achiilles tendon to my heal. The pain moves a bit but it hasn't stopped hurting since yesterday afternoon--about 18 hours. What should I do? I am a 78 year old female and generally healthy and self sufficent. As I am 5 ' 11" and weigh 175. Have never had this problem before.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
MRI L-S Spine/Disc involvement with radiculpathy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist, here to answer your query.

The radiating pain which goes from low waist to heal, is likely due to lumbosacral nerve radicle involvement due to disc pathology.

In this scenario, a MRI of lumbosacral spine(L-S) should be done to rule out the same.

The symptoms can improve with a short course of anti-inflammatory medicines along with antineuralgics like duloxetine,pregabalin,amitriptyline.Physiotherapy plays a role as well.

Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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