Long-term lower back pain with leg pain — looking for advice
Hi everyone,
I’ve been dealing with lower back pain for around 9 months, and it has started affecting my daily life significantly.
It initially started after I lifted a half-bucket of water. Since then, the pain has continued and has gradually become more troublesome.
My current symptoms include:
Lower/mid-back pain
Sharp, pin-like/shooting pain going into my leg and hip
Pain around the ankle/leg
Difficulty standing or walking properly at times
Pain becomes worse with coughing or sneezing
Pain can become worse at night
Sitting for long periods also aggravates it because I have an IT job
I’ve already tried medicines and physiotherapy, including TENS/SWD, but I’m still struggling with the pain. An X-ray showed early osteoarthritis, but I’m wondering whether this could actually be sciatica or a disc/nerve-related problem.
I’m planning to consult an orthopaedic doctor again, but I’d really appreciate advice from people who have gone through something similar.
What helped you recover from chronic sciatica/back pain?
Did you need an MRI or consultation with a spine specialist/neurologist?
And how long did it take before you started feeling better?
Any genuine experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated. 🙏