Lower back injury / pain down leg - help!

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TheRedMare

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Long story short, I came off our horse when he took off in the arena and skidded to a stop - I went off over the shoulder into a metal gate. My lower left back instantly was excruciating, but it felt muscular so I didn't go to A & E, just made sure I was monitored that evening by my partner (and helped a lot as it was terrible, couldn't roll over).

(Probably on the edge of a big change horse-wise, which is breaking our hearts currently, but...I don't think we're the right people for him. Racesafe body protector has now been purchased, but I don't think it would have helped this injury - just saying so we don't go off track on this one.)

Saw doctor the next day, gave me painkillers. Didn't take the full dose as I found half (15mg) helped my pain a lot as it improved with movement and mobility. It slowly got better for about one week, which was great, but now it seems to have ground to a screeching halt. The pain in my back is restricting me only slightly, but the pain seems to have gone down into my glute and thigh in a "line". The line goes to the top of the outside of my thigh (quite muscled) This is stopping me from walking and easing out my back (which feels much better with the movement). I hardly got down the road here before I had to turn and hobble back home today, which was so demoralising and horrible. I'm normally incredibly active with either horse care or strength training in the gym (so at least am set up the best I could be to heal). Can't sleep on my back or the injured side. Happy to sit and relax but find it leaves my back stiff even though this is comfortable. Trying to do some very stretches for the back recovery as per normal to help it feel better and stop stiffening up.

Has anyone experienced this and have any idea what can be done in the meantime? I'm going to physio on Tuesday and doctor Wednesday (unfortunately already had the physio booked before this glute/thigh problem came up). I have the ice pack in the freezer but am unsure if it's going to help yet - will see. Can heat this one up too so will give one a try then the other.

Have you injured your back like this before? Any idea what I've actually done to the blooming thing? Is there anything that helps the pain down the butt and leg? If I can get that in line, my back should come slowly better again!

I re-iterate that I'll be seeing my physio and doctor in the next two days, so am getting this treated. But docs tend to fob you off with painkillers so it's always helpful to hear from people who've been in similar situations. :)

Thank you!
 
Sounds like sciatica. The physio should be able to give you some exercises that will help and if you have been given anti-inflammatories then take them.
 
As above, probably sciatica.
Check where the sciatic nerve goes down the leg and compare to your pain. My pain moves about between top back thigh down to my toes. Doctor says it is wear and tear at the top of the nerve near the spine. I am considering treatment (osteopath? ) soon. Fortunately my pain is not great just uncomfortable and doesn't hurt when I ride.
Perhaps your pain is caused by bruising. I hope you can find a way to feel better quickly.
 
Thanks, guys. It doesn't seem to go down the back of my thigh, which is where I was under the impression that nerve was (I could be completely wrong) but goes to the outside of my thigh.

Is there any sense of recovery? Assuming inflammation is aggravating the nerve, in theory this could be reduced in healing/rehab and there'd be no more pain. I normally go to the gym three times per week at least and I'm already very antsy after not being able to exercise properly, I have a busy mind and I'm basically feeling like a stressed sports horse on box rest. :(
 
Sounds like a nerve, as others have said. Did you say you have an icepack? That will reduce inflammation. Chamomile oil, in the bath for example, is anti-inflammatory and calming.
 
I had sciatica for about 18 months and there were some yoga stretches that were helpful. However if it is just a result of the recent injury then hopefully as that heals the pain will go away.
 
Let us see what that ice gel pack does then... I shall report back. Maybe need some different meds as the painkillers won't really tackle it (coedine-phosphate 15mg and coedine phosphate with paracetamol 30mg if needed).
 
If you remember the poses, I'd love the suggestions please! I'm trying to incorporate what I can into my stretches from what I already know and can do lightly and safely.
 
Physio is the answer :) I have this same problem very very mildly and am lucky enough to get free physio through work so I'm going to refer myself - my other half has sciatica much worse and does exercises but is not good at telling me how they should be done :D
 
The advice above is spot on but I'd also add you need to take the painkillers prescribed. I never used to but my GP said that I won't heal unless I move more and I won't move freely without being pain free. Without painkillers you will modify your stride slightly without knowing.

As for the Pilates exercises, look for any that work the core but wait until you've seen the physio. Hot water bottle, ice packs and painkillers for now.
 
Sorry - not taking the full dose of painkillers as they are making me sleepy and not lessening the pain, so don't seem to help much. Ibuprofen seemed better (ridiculously) so I think they need to re-evaluate the ones I need on Wednesday. At least it'll be an easy prescription to pick up after work.

I think this may have been confused with a chronic condition - it's purely due to a single incident and I've not had any other issues. Currently sitting on ice pack. Unsure as yet. :)
 
IMO the sciatica is caused by your back injury, so the injury needs to be treated and then the sciatica will ease away. Hopefully it is as you thought, a muscular injury to your back rather than something more serious. Muscle spasms can definitely cause sciatica, if the spasm is bad enough to 'tighten around a disc' and cause the nerve to be pinched, causing the sciatica. As you are a fit person, I'm sure the treatment and recovery will help sort out this problem very quickly.

To stretch lower back muscles, the easiest and most effective thing I know is to lie down on your back on your bed, then pull first your one and then your other leg up (bending your knees) and use your arms to hold your bent legs in place (as if you're hugging your legs whilst lying on your back). Keep it up for a good few minutes if you can.

Don't sleep on your stomach as it will hollow the small of your back and make your lower back worse.
When sleeping on your back, put one but preferably two cushions under your knees so it's bent.
Don't lie down on the sore side (when lying on your side). Lie on the better side and put a nice chunky cushion between your knees.
I think at this point warm therapy rather than coldness will help you more.
Don't take a bath - rather have a shower. Yes the hot water will be bliss but a bath it's not a good idea if you have lower back problems.

I've got no idea why your GP wouldn't have suggested anti-inflammatories rather than codeine.

ETA: Sorry about the problems with your horse. Good luck with that and your back.
 
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Anti inflamatories - take ibuprofen for the next few days until you see the doc/physio. My osteopath advised me to take them religiously after a recent pulled ligament in my back.
 
I have the same problem, after a bit of googling I put it down to a trapped nerve. I tripped over the bed and twisted my back strangely, so this thread is pretty helpful as I have avoided the doctor. Resting makes me worse, I have to keep pretty active and it then subsides a little. Hope you feel better soon, I'm sat wincing and hoping it eases off again soon!

ETA I've done it before (must have bad conformation ;) ) but it was unbearable that time, it took 6 weeks to go away, a heat pad helped ease the discomfort.
 
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Rotate ice packs and hot water bottles. Get some ibuprofen gel (voltarol) and rub it where it hurts. Do NOT try any stretches until you've been assessed; what works for one person can make things significantly worse for another, depending on how you're injured.

I found a chiropractor more effective than a physio, but that's probably the quality of the individual rather than the discipline. Pilates also helps, but again, not until you've been assessed.
 
I have a similar pain caused by injury to my lower left back. Docs said its an inflamed / trapped femoral nerve so pain is mainly down front of left thigh and can affect left knee and lower leg (and give me butt pain on the left side). Amatryptiline (sorry bad spelling!) and physio made all the difference to me. I can now get my left foot in the stirrup!
 
TheRedMare said:
Long story short, I came off our horse when he took off in the arena and skidded to a stop - I went off over the shoulder into a metal gate. My lower left back instantly was excruciating, but it felt muscular so I didn't go to A & E, just made sure I was monitored that evening by my partner (and helped a lot as it was terrible, couldn't roll over).

(Probably on the edge of a big change horse-wise, which is breaking our hearts currently, but...I don't think we're the right people for him. Racesafe body protector has now been purchased, but I don't think it would have helped this injury - just saying so we don't go off track on this one.)

Saw doctor the next day, gave me painkillers. Didn't take the full dose as I found half (15mg) helped my pain a lot as it improved with movement and mobility. It slowly got better for about one week, which was great, but now it seems to have ground to a screeching halt. The pain in my back is restricting me only slightly, but the pain seems to have gone down into my glute and thigh in a "line". The line goes to the top of the outside of my thigh (quite muscled) This is stopping me from walking and easing out my back (which feels much better with the movement). I hardly got down the road here before I had to turn and hobble back home today, which was so demoralising and horrible. I'm normally incredibly active with either horse care or strength training in the gym (so at least am set up the best I could be to heal). Can't sleep on my back or the injured side. Happy to sit and relax but find it leaves my back stiff even though this is comfortable. Trying to do some very stretches for the back recovery as per normal to help it feel better and stop stiffening up.

Has anyone experienced this and have any idea what can be done in the meantime? I'm going to physio on Tuesday and doctor Wednesday (unfortunately already had the physio booked before this glute/thigh problem came up). I have the ice pack in the freezer but am unsure if it's going to help yet - will see. Can heat this one up too so will give one a try then the other.

Have you injured your back like this before? Any idea what I've actually done to the blooming thing? Is there anything that helps the pain down the butt and leg? If I can get that in line, my back should come slowly better again!

I re-iterate that I'll be seeing my physio and doctor in the next two days, so am getting this treated. But docs tend to fob you off with painkillers so it's always helpful to hear from people who've been in similar situations. :)

Thank you!
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Can you lie on your back and raise your legs without pain?? if it hurts to much I would say Sciatica and you need pain killers/anti inflammatory and go to the GP then book a physio appointment to release pressure on the sciatica nerve.

I live with sciatica all my life its painful and debilitating too also permanent damage to my left leg when riding and weakness
 
Update! Been to see physio and it is, unfortunately, my own fault. Not the sciatic nerve as the pain does not go down that point (woo), but it's my body going "ok so this hurts so we're going to work around it". I've been moving differently despite my best efforts and, like with an earlier shoulder injury I had, other muscles are becoming stressed.

So basically lots of muscle TLC required, soothing baths, ice pack (since that works), alternate with the heat pack, been given a set of exercises to do to ease the painful glute, can continue with all normal stretches that are comfortable, certain stretch to start working out the stiff/sore back muscle again and, finally, walks, walks and more walks while moving PROPERLY. Anti-inflammatories to get me through and not taking the painkillers that don't work. I'll speak to doctor tomorrow and see if they can give me something a little more targeted so I may move a little more easily and help my body.

Feeling like a slight idiot for "doing it to myself" when I was trying so hard to move normally but I guess it can only be expected - it's how bodies are wired up.

Back is easing slowly so fingers crossed x
 
and certainly not your fault, it is entirely unavoidable when you have an injury to compensate for it.

You also have my sympathy as I have long term left glute issues, and when they set off it goes down my IT band, and then that makes my knee cap start catching and if I carry on long enough it hits my feet!
 
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