Back Pain Forum - Lower back pain radiating down legs

Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > Lower back pain radiating down legs

What structures make up the spine? We review basic spine anatomy here...before identifying potential causes of back pain....

Q: Lower back pain radiating down legs

asked by: lio171 on January 26th, 2008

New User

I injured my back in Sept. 07 during physical training (i am in the military). Have been receiving treatment ever since but the pain has only gotten worse. Doctors have had me do physical therapy but it caused more pain. They have me on oxycodone, but I refuse to take it unless in extreme pain for fear of addiction. Got a CT scan but it didn't show the soft tissue. Had an MRI last week and the results are as follows:

At L5-S1, there is a small broad-based central HNP that mildly impinges on both S1 nerve roots. There is mild degenerative disc narrowing and desiccation at this level.

What does this mean? I fear that this will bring my military carreer to an end seeing as I currently am unable to do any kinda of training, let alone work my job without being in pain,

Replies(3)

rollar64

replied on January 26th, 2008

Experienced User

Hi lio171

L5-S1 is where your bottom vertebra sits on top of your sacrum (the bone in the middle of your pelvis), HNP stands for herniated nucleus pulposus , this means your disk has ruptured, and some of the jelly like substance in your disk, has oozed out, this is impinging on the nerve roots that coarse out of holes toward the side of your spine. the disk has lost some height, and has dried out some.

rollar64

replied on January 26th, 2008

Experienced User

algosdoc

replied on January 26th, 2008

Experienced User

The compression of nerves leads to numbness. If you have pain but no numbness, it is likely the chemically active cytokines and enzymes from the nucleus pulopis (the central part of the disc) are causing severe irritation of the nerve roots. The enzymes chew the lining off the outside of the nerve.

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