Brain surgery isn’t a single procedure, and the reasons it’s necessary vary widely. The type of procedure a patient needs depends heavily on not only the cause of the problem but also the state of progress of their condition.
You may be surprised to find out that lower leg pain isn't always caused by a leg issue.
Nerve damage and herniated discs in the spine often occur in adults that lead a sedentary lifestyle or lift heavy loads regularly. Other risk factors include having poor posture or biomechanics, being overweight and smoking.
Our team of neurological surgeons at Atlas Neurosurgery and Spine Center is experienced at treating adults with leg and back pain. We want to share some signs that your leg pain might be caused by nerve damage or a herniated disc.
Radiating pain that travels through your buttocks and down one of your legs could be caused by damage to one of your lumbar disc impinging on the sciatic nerve. It is also characterized by tenderness in the lower back where the nerve exits the spinal column. This common problem may be caused by any of the risk factors mentioned, as well as by pregnancy, which places additional weight on the disc and nerve, or injury. Weakness in the affected leg may also occur.
If your leg numbness is also associated with diminished bladder or bowel control, it may be a sign of Cauda equina syndrome, which requires immediate medical attention as it can lead to permanent paralysis, bowel or bladder incontinence. Fortunately, these complications are rare and can be readily treated as a medical emergency.
If you experience leg pain when you are sitting down or standing up for prolonged periods, you may be dealing with a slipped disc in your lower back. Pain worsens because sitting down or standing puts a lot of pressure on herniated discs, pushing them against your nerves.
Twisting and bending may cause pain as well. Lying down may bring relief to your leg because it takes the pressure away from your lower back.
Many systemic diseases can damage either the nerve or the bone structure, increasing your chances of experiencing pain. If you have a systemic disease, the first step in tackling the pain is keeping your underlying condition under control.
Ailments such as diabetes can lead to issues because high blood sugar levels slow down bone cell formation and damage nerves in your extremities, often leading to peripheral neuropathy.
Other systemic ailments that may increase leg pain include lupus, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and hyperthyroidism.
At Atlas Neurosurgery and Spine Center, we can help you get a clear diagnosis of what’s causing your leg pain, and we have a large variety of treatments for you to choose from.
If you live in Phoenix, Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona or Sun City West, Arizona, and leg pain is harming the quality of your life, contact us to schedule an appointment and get treatment.
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Brain surgery isn’t a single procedure, and the reasons it’s necessary vary widely. The type of procedure a patient needs depends heavily on not only the cause of the problem but also the state of progress of their condition.
It’s a common mistake to think that neurosurgery is “just” brain related. You may see a neurosurgeon any time that you have an injury or disease affecting nerves. Neurosurgery, therefore, treats all parts of your body from head to toe.
Back pain is a common problem — a majority of Americans experiencing it at some point in their lives. Herniated discs are frequently the cause, pressing on nerve tissue and creating pain. They might be the reason behind your neck or back pain.
Many people blame the sciatic nerve for their back pain, and while it may be the culprit, it can also cause issues anywhere along its length, from the lower back to your feet. Here’s what you need to know.
It might be pain, it might be numbness, tingling, or weakness, but the symptoms of pinched nerves are rarely welcome. Compression or irritation interferes with the nerve’s normal function, and several areas in your body are particularly vulnerable.
A certain degree of pain accompanies some forms of exercise, and this can include back pain. However, there’s a difference between “good” and “bad” pain, and your back is one place where lingering pain is problematic.