People with back problems – may have more than just back pain.  Sometimes, if you suffer from leg pain – this can be related to your spine.  If a person has ongoing leg pain that is persistent and increases as you lift your knee to your chest or bend over – it could be related to your back.  One back problem – that causes a shooting pain down your leg referred to as “sciatica” is lumbar radiculopathy. 

 

Lumbar radiculopathy is most often the result of nerve compression due to a lumbar disc herniation.  The pain is caused by the compression of the roots of the spinal nerves. This damage or herniated disc is often the result of wear and tear – or degeneration (degenerative disc disease).  To learn more about the diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy and diagnosing back pain – click here.