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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain In The Back Radiating To The Upper Leg?

Hi..I have a contstant leg pain from the back is the whole upper leg, and starts all the way up from the rear down below the knee. Some Doctors say is spinal Stenosis, some vascular, but I know deep inside is coming from the back. Bc when I lay down in be if I move my back, my legs hurt. I m on gabapentin , Tylenol , Aleve, I know one at the time. Just recently a friend quiropractic he said could be Sciatica..I just don t know. I joined the gym, I can t even do it, it does calm down with Tyenol or Mobic, I m sick of taking all this pain pills and is just temporary. Any advice? Thanks!
posted on Wed, 16 Nov 2016
Twitter Tue, 22 Jan 2019 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 24 Jan 2019 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

First of all, it's sad to know what you had been going through lately.

Based on the history you have shared, it's more likely sciatica and as you suspect it's origin can be tracked all the way to the back where sciatic nerve arises and may get compressed between soft tissue of vertebrate or any collapsed disc.

You need to have worked up accordingly starting from X-ray lumbar spine and if unremarkable CT or MRI scan may be needed to look for soft tissue compression.

The neurosurgical review is recommended. Painkillers can be continued as you mentioned taking gabapentin and Tylenol however if the pain is severe more potent analgesics like tramadol may be needed.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin,
General & Family Physician
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What Causes Pain In The Back Radiating To The Upper Leg?

Hi, First of all, it s sad to know what you had been going through lately. Based on the history you have shared, it s more likely sciatica and as you suspect it s origin can be tracked all the way to the back where sciatic nerve arises and may get compressed between soft tissue of vertebrate or any collapsed disc. You need to have worked up accordingly starting from X-ray lumbar spine and if unremarkable CT or MRI scan may be needed to look for soft tissue compression. The neurosurgical review is recommended. Painkillers can be continued as you mentioned taking gabapentin and Tylenol however if the pain is severe more potent analgesics like tramadol may be needed. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin, General & Family Physician