Lower Back Pain

[cooke119]

I've had three lower back surgeries, no fusions. Once again back is giving me problems, (pain down the left leg), I'm see a neurosurgeon after I get an MRI next week. However, after doing some stretching the back is feeling better. I went to the range yesterday and hit some balls, again the back feels OK but stiff and pain in the hips, not down the leg. I guess I should still have the MRI and see the doctor.  Thoughts?

[klineka]

I would say that very few people here are qualified to give medical advice, and even those that are on this site that are qualified to give medical advice likely would not be able to accurately tell you what you should do without knowing any information about you, your medical history, etc. 

I don't think you should be asking strangers on a golf forum if we think you should be getting an MRI and seeing a doctor.

[MississippiSteve]

If your doctor recommends an MRI, I’d get the MRI and follow up with them.. Not all, but some surgeons like to go to surgery, that’s how they make their living.. just keep that in the back of your mind and do whatever your body is telling you.. If it was me, based on what you’ve told us, I would get an order for physical therapy and go that route and see if you got improvement.. I would avoid steroid injections as well…

[saevel25]

Unless it is debilitating, I rather exhaust PT over surgery. That is my personal preference for things. I try avoid surgery and taking any drugs. 

[davenhla]

I am no doctor.

I will say two things you should check on or try. 

First, there can be occasion where a worn hip can present itself as pain in the lower back, and then going down the leg into the knee and eventually even the top of foot and toes. Skips ankles for some reason. if this is persistant and no one has looked, have an x ray of the hip on the side that hurts. Worth a look. 

 

Second, I don't know your age or condition, but a wise man once told me that if your abs (stomach) is out of shape, your back has to make up for it. Core strength. Something as simple as a few minutes of crunches a couple times a day can strengthen your core and take some load off your back. Again, maybe you are 25 and have a six pack, but this is good advice for anyone. I am not talking about 100 sit ups, you can do effective crunches in a lazyboy for a few minutes. 

Just food for thought.