What causes low back pain with leg involvement?

Answer 1

If the pain is sharp, and traces down the left side of the spine to the lower back, across the waist and hip, across the top of the thigh and down the inner knee, the problem is the L3/L4 disk pressing on the spinal nerve at that point. It typically sharp at the mid and lower back, and burning as it travels further, though it will occasionally be sharp all the time too.

You can literally trace the nerve pathway with your finger by following the pain if it's bad enough.

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I have this pain at the moment, I had it several years ago and it lasted for months I had a gluten intollerance test and it told me that I was intollerant to gluten, I cut out gliuten and within 2 wekd it had gone, its now come back although I dont eat anything with gluten in it. I cannot understand why the pain goes into my left lower back and left leg...anyone else get this ?

Answer 2

Pain in the lower back is often accompanied by leg pain.

The two areas of pain, low back and leg, are often painful because in the lower back are found the five roots of the sciatic nerve; the sciatic nerve begins from five different parts of the low back and runs down into the leg and extends all the way to the great toe in each leg. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve (as big around as your thumb) and it is also the longest. When pain develops in the sciatic nerve the pain can be terrible and it can cover any area or all areas of legs.

Many times the muscle strain or Arthritis that is causing low Back pain will also affect the sciatic nerve were it begins in the low back. When this happens both areas can be effected with pain.

Leg pain that arises from irritation of the sciatic nerve is called sciatica or sciatic neuritis.

Answer 3

Low back pain that radiates down the leg usually indicates involvement of the sciatic nerve.