Lumbar disc and right and left leg pain

Treatment of lumbar disc and right leg pain Lumbar disc and right leg pain may be caused by the pressure of the disc on the sciatic nerve. To reduce this pain, it is recommended to rest enough, use ice in the lower back and right leg, take anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers as prescribed by the doctor, and perform gentle stretching exercises to reduce pressure on the nerve. Avoiding lifting heavy objects, intense physical activities and using correct sitting and sleeping positions with proper back support can help improve the condition; Also, it is necessary to follow up physiotherapy treatments and medical advice to choose appropriate treatment methods. Treatment of back disc and left leg pain Lumbar disc symptoms in left and right leg Lumbar disc is one of the most common causes of lower back pain and shooting pains in the legs. Especially in the 4th and 5th lumbar disc, which is one of the common places of disc protrusion, the symptoms in the legs can appear earlier and more severe. In the following, a comprehensive table of the most important lumbar disc symptoms in the legs is presented, which can help to better understand this condition. Involvement of the spinal nerves due to lumbar disc protrusion can cause various symptoms in the legs; From shooting pains and numbness to muscle weakness and even incontinence. The severity and location of symptoms can help the doctor identify the exact location of the involvement. If you are also facing these symptoms, it is better to consult a neurologist as soon as possible. Measures to prevent the transmission of lumbar disc pain to the legs In many cases, before the lumbar disc pain spreads to the legs, it is possible to prevent the development of the problem by following some principles and lifestyle changes. **Symptoms of lumbar disc**, such as shooting pain in the legs, numbness or tingling, are often caused by continuous pressure on the nerve roots, which, if controlled and managed in time, can prevent the transmission of pain to the lower limbs; In the following, the measures that are effective in preventing the transfer of lumbar disc pain to the legs are given: 1. Maintaining the correct posture while sitting and standing 2. Using an ergonomic chair, placing the back at a 90 degree angle and avoiding bending forward. 3. Strengthening the central muscles of the body (Core) 4. Exercises such as plank and corrective movements to strengthen abdominal and back muscles. 5. Avoid lifting heavy objects incorrectly 6. Using the knees to lift objects instead of bending the back. 7. Lose excess weight 8. Heavy weight puts extra pressure on the lumbar discs and increases the possibility of nerve compression. 9. Doing regular stretching exercises 10. Exercises such as hamstring and piriformis muscle stretching to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. 11. Avoiding long-term sitting 12. Get up and walk a few steps every 30 to 60 minutes. 13. Using a medical mattress and pillow while sleeping 14. Sleeping on the right mattress can maintain the natural curvature of the spine. 15. Consultation with a physiotherapist or doctor in the early stages of pain 16. Early non-invasive treatments can prevent the development of the complication. By following these recommendations, it is possible not only to prevent the development of lumbar disc, but also to minimize the possibility of pain transfer to the legs. Don't forget to take mild symptoms seriously and if persistent pain or nerve symptoms occur, be sure to see a specialist. Prevention is always easier and cheaper than treatment. Which leg and where does lumbar disc pain hit? The innervation of the whole body is analogous; Therefore, around each intervertebral disc, there are two nerve roots, the right nerve goes to the right leg and the left nerve goes to the left leg. So, if the intervertebral disc protrudes to the right, we will see its symptoms in the right leg, and if it protrudes to the left, we will see the symptoms in the left leg. ### Lumbar disc and pain behind the knee Also, discs may protrude at different levels, but the lower discs suffer from this condition more than others (due to the greater pressure on them). Due to the fact that different discs are located in the vicinity of different nerve roots, they can cause different symptoms; For example: - If the lower 2 discs are protruded, they put pressure on the sciatic nerve and the patient feels it as a shooting pain that passes through the back of the hip, thigh, knee, leg and sole of the foot. Accordingly, the symptoms of sensory and motor disorders are also seen in these parts. - But if 2 higher discs protrude, pressure is applied on the femoral nerve, which the patient describes as a shooting pain that passes through the front of the thigh, knee, and leg, and sensory and motor symptoms are also seen in these areas. ### The cause of pain in the left leg from the hip down If the nerve roots of the spinal cord on the left side of the spine are pressed by the protruding disc, the pain in the left leg will be felt from the pelvis down. Note that if pain is felt in the pelvis itself, the patient should be examined for referred pain that may originate from the spinal ligaments. ### The cause of shooting in the right leg and its relationship with the lumbar disc Pressure on the fifth lumbar and first sacral nerve roots may radiate shooting pains to the right or left leg. If you experience severe pain while lying down while raising your right leg, it can be said that lumbar disc pressure has caused it. *—Dr. David Petron, MD – Orthopedic Spine Specialist, University of Utah Health:* > "Shooting pain in the right leg, especially if accompanied by numbness or weakness, is often a sign of nerve root compression from a herniated lumbar disc. "The most common site of this is the disc between L4 and L5 or L5 and S1, which can affect the sciatic nerve." ### Lumbar disc and heel pain Another important point is that the greater the amount of disc protrusion and the pressure effect caused by it, the higher the symptoms will be; For example, we said that sciatic nerve pain passes through the back of the lower limb; Now, if the protrusion is mild, the patient may have pain only in the area of ​​the sole and heel of the foot, but in cases where the protrusion is more severe, the patient's leg, thigh, and buttock may also experience sharp pain. Therefore, in some cases, it is possible that the cause of heel pain is lumbar disc protrusion, but other causes such as heel spurs, inflammation of the structures of the soles of the feet (plantar fasciitis), etc. should also be investigated. **Treatment of back disc and left and right leg pain** The treatment of lumbar disc and left and right leg pain depends on the severity of the symptoms, the location of the disc protrusion, and the body's response to the initial treatments. Statistics show that more than 90% of patients with mild to moderate lumbar disc herniation recover with non-surgical methods such as physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drug therapy, specialized exercises and relative rest. However, about *5-10% of patients* who have more severe symptoms such as muscle weakness, persistent numbness, or shooting pains down the legs (especially if the pain is only in one leg and is persistent) may require more advanced treatments such as an epidural or even microdisc surgery. Accurate diagnosis and timely action can prevent permanent nerve damage.