Low back pain is common, but when pain begins in your lower back and travels into your buttock or leg, it may be a sign of irritation or compression involving a spinal nerve. One common cause is sciatica, which can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the path of the affected nerve.
What Causes Low Back and Leg Pain?
Several conditions can contribute to pain that radiates from the lower back into the leg. These may include a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, arthritis, or other changes affecting the spine and surrounding nerves. Symptoms can vary from person to person, making an accurate evaluation important.
If your pain is persistent, worsening, or interfering with walking, working, sleeping, or other daily activities, it may be time to discuss your symptoms with a medical professional.
How Can Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Help?
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), also called physiatry, focuses on improving function and managing pain while exploring non-surgical treatment options. At OrthoKnox, Dr. Faye Kibler leads the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation program, providing personalized care for patients with back and neck pain and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Depending on the underlying cause of your symptoms, treatment may include physical therapy, medication management, image-guided injections, nerve blocks, or other interventional pain treatments. OrthoKnox takes a comprehensive approach designed to help patients reduce pain, restore function, and return to the activities they enjoy.
When Should You See a Specialist?
You don’t have to simply live with persistent low back and leg pain. A PM&R evaluation can help identify potential sources of pain and develop a treatment plan based on your symptoms, goals, and lifestyle.
If you’re experiencing low back pain that travels down your leg, Dr. Faye Kibler and the OrthoKnox PM&R team in Knoxville can help you understand your options for non-surgical spine and pain care. Give us a call at 865-251-3030 or visit orthoknox.com to request an appointment, we look forward to hearing from you.