What causes pain and inflammation in the lower back?
Patient: I have severe burning and pain to  the lower back, with numbness and pins abd needles running down my left leg. When sitting or standing I experience excrutiating pain and a burning sensation to both thighs. The pain radiates down  my leg causing cramping in the calf muscles and three toes. At times I experience this on my right side as well. MRI results : shows L4 disc buldge with a super imposed right paracentral moderat sized disc protrusion, causing moderate central canal stenosis and significant narrowing of the right lateral recess. With compression of the right L4 nerve root in the lateral recess. There is mild facet osteoarthritis and thickening of the ligamaentum flavum.  Also moderate narrowing of the right neural foramina and moderate to severe narrowing of the left neural foramina at L4/L5. Doctor: Hello, Thanks for your query.** It seems you are suffering from degenerative disc disease & it occurs due to repetitive overload or stress to the disc & it increases the risk of disc herniation & spinal canal stenosis.The main treatment of such pain is bed rest along with pain killers and muscle relaxants. Muscle relaxants can help with your symptoms if used in appropriate dosage in combination with a potent analgesic.You can get the appropriate drugs prescribed from your Orthopedician after examination.Meanwhile you can follow these measures:- If the pain is severe, you need bed rest till the pain resolves. - Get some analgesics prescribed and apply analgesic spray or ointments.- While resting, keep a pillow under your knees if it doesn't bother you.- Avoid lifting heavy objects.I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.Take care