What does it mean when your back hurts and your legs go numb?
Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.
Can back problems cause leg numbness?
Symptoms of sciatica Share on Pinterest Sciatica can cause pain in the back and legs. The main symptom is a shooting pain anywhere along the sciatic nerve; from the lower back, through the buttock, and down the back of either leg. Other common symptoms of sciatica include: numbness in the leg along the nerve.
Can a pulled back muscle cause leg numbness?
Symptoms of a pinched nerve in the lower back can include: pain that radiates from the lower back to the legs or feet. numbness and tingling in the legs or feet. muscle spasms or weakness.
How do you know if it’s your sciatic nerve?
The most distinctive sign of sciatica is pain that radiates from your lower back into the back or side or your legs. It can range from a mild ache to sharp, severe pain. You can also get numbness, tingling, and weakness in your leg or foot.
Is numbness in leg serious?
Leg numbness is usually due to a lack of blood supply to an area or nerve damage. Leg numbness can also result from infection, inflammation, trauma, and other abnormal processes. Most cases of leg numbness are not due to life-threatening disorders, but it does occur with stroke and tumors.
What causes numbness in the lower back?
Causes. Nerve compression in the lower back can cause low back pain along with leg symptoms such as numbness. Most commonly, the compression of the sciatic nerve is responsible for bothersome symptoms. Compression occurs as a result of a herniated or ruptured disk.
Is it normal to have lower leg pain?
Lower leg pain is common , but it can be tricky sorting out its many potential causes. While factors like what your pain feels like-stabbing, burning, or cramping, and so on-can provide insight, oftentimes, a detailed physical examination and/or an imaging test are needed to clinch the diagnosis.
What could lower back pinching pain be?
A common cause of a pinched nerve in the lower back is a herniated disc. You may experience this condition because of aging, a defect in your vertebrae, or wear and tear. The cushioning between your spine lessens as you age and can leak, leading to nerve pain.
What causes lower back and thigh pain?
There are several causes of low back pain and thigh pain. Problems with the hip joint can often cause back/buttock pain that radiates to the groin and thigh. Irriation to the lumbar nerve roots in the lower back can also cause leg pain.