Can L4 and L5 cause leg pain?

The leg pain that is often felt with an L4-L5 disc problem in conjunction with or separate from lower back pain is often categorized as sciatica. It's also one of the most obvious signs that the back pain you're feeling could be the result of a disc problem.


What are the symptoms of L4-L5 nerve damage?

What Are The Symptoms of L4-L5 Damage?
  • Sharp pain that begins in the lower back and moves down the leg.
  • Weakness in the leg with motion.
  • Numbness in the leg, foot, and/or toes.
  • Tingling and/or pins-and-needles sensation along the sciatic nerve.


What nerves do L4 and L5 affect?

L2, L3 and L4 spinal nerves provide sensation to the front part of your thigh and inner side of your lower leg. These nerves also control hip and knee muscle movements. L5 spinal nerve provides sensation to the outer side of your lower leg, the upper part of your foot and the space between your first and second toe.


Where do you feel L4-L5 pain?

Referred pain from L4-L5 usually stays within the lower back and is typically felt as a dull ache. The back may also feel stiff. Depending on the type and severity of the underlying cause, the L4-L5 motion segment may cause lumbar radicular pain of the L4 and/or L5 spinal nerves, also called sciatica.

What are the symptoms of L5 nerve damage?

A pinched L5 nerve root usually results in radiating pain in the foot. This pain can come in the form of numbness, tingling, weakness and shooting and is commonly felt in the big toe, inside of the foot, top of the foot and ankle. Radiculopathy of the L5 nerve may also cause loss of coordination in the foot and toes.


L5 Nerve Root Compression Evaluation with Paul Marquis PT



How do I fix my L4 and L5?

Nonsurgical Treatments for L4-L5
  1. Medication. Both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications are used to help relieve pain from L4-L5. ...
  2. Physical therapy. Exercise and physical therapy can be modified to specifically target pain stemming from L4-L5 and the lower back. ...
  3. Chiropractic manipulation. ...
  4. Self-care.


What are the symptoms of L4-L5 nerve root compression?

Symptoms if the affected root is L4:
  • Radiating pain: the pain begins in the lower back and radiates down the inner side of the leg to mid-thigh.
  • Hypoesthesia: Numbness or loss of sensation on the inner side of your leg and foot.
  • Reflexes: The knee jerk reflex may be absent.


What is L5 L4 S1 symptoms?

Slipped discs in the lower back are most common at the L3-L4, L4-L5, or L5-S1. Common back pain symptoms caused by herniated discs or slipped discs include sciatica-like sensations (pain and numbness in the buttock, thigh, leg, foot, or toes).


What are the symptoms of L4-L5-S1 disc bulge?

They are highly prevalent in this area and can lead to symptoms such as leg pain, numbness in legs, feet or toes, acute lower back pain, and other symptoms. Approximately 90% of bulging discs occur at L4-L5 and L5-S1, causing pain in the L5 or S1 nerve that radiates down the sciatic nerve.

What exercises to avoid with L4-L5 S1 bulging disc?

Generally, you want to avoid exercises that bend your L5-S1 joint forward or twist it out of alignment. The following exercises are not helpful, and should be avoided: deadlifts, contact sports, sit-ups, hamstring stretches, twisting exercises, golf, running, and any exercise that causes you pain.

What are the side effects of L4-L5 disc bulge?

A herniated disc at lumbar segment 4 and 5 (L4-L5) usually causes L5 nerve impingement. In addition to sciatica pain, this type of herniated disc can lead to weakness when raising the big toe and possibly in the ankle, also known as foot drop. Numbness and pain can also be felt on top of the foot.


How do you sleep with L4-L5 pain?

Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees

For some people, sleeping on their back may be the best position to relieve back pain: Lay flat on your back. Place a pillow underneath your knees and keep your spine neutral. The pillow is important — it works to keep that curve in your lower back.

How long does it take for L4-L5 to heal?

It takes between six months and one year to fully recover from L4-L5 fusion. You may need four to six weeks to return to basic activities around the house after the procedure, and one to two months to return to work.

Which nerve is compressed in L4-L5?

The L4–5 and L5–S1 levels were common sites of lumbar stenosis; the L-5 nerve root could be compressed at L4–5 and/or L5–S1 regions. At L4–5 regions, the L5 nerve root could be compressed at lateral recess, while at L5–S1, the exiting L5 nerve root could be compressed by foraminal stenosis.


How long does it take for an L4-L5 disc to heal?

Self care: In most cases, the pain from a herniated disc will get better within a couple days and completely resolve in 4 to 6 weeks. Restricting your activity, ice/heat therapy, and taking over the counter medications will help your recovery.

Can L4-L5 cause hip pain?

In the case of an L4-L5 lumbar disc herniation, the lower back pain can radiate to the hip and leg. When you have a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, the pain is not always located in the affected area. In many cases, the patient begins to notice discomfort in areas that are related to each other.

Is L4-L5 disc bulge serious?

Most importantly, an L4-L5 disc bulge can lead to prolonged pain and other, more serious conditions like spondylolisthesis if you delay treatment. Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra shifts or slips, and can cause significant pain that may require surgery to fix.


What nerves does L5 affect?

L5 spinal nerve provides sensation to the outer side of the lower leg, the upper part of the foot, and the web-space between the first and second toe. The L5 spinal nerve controls hip, knee, foot, and toe movements.

Is walking good for l4 l5 pain?

The simple movement of walking is one of the best things we can do for chronic lower back pain. Ten to fifteen minutes of walking twice a day will help ease lower back pain. Substitute this activity for a more vigorous type of exercise if you prefer and/or are able.

Can l4 l5 heal itself?

Yes, it can and most of them do, with proper treatment. The fact is that with treatment, most herniated discs will heal within a few weeks. In extreme cases, it may take a few months. Even surgery cannot put the jelly-like compound of the disc back inside of it.


Is walking good for l4 l5 disc bulge?

Daily walks are an excellent way to exercise with a herniated disc, without putting additional strain on your spine and causing painful symptoms to flare up.

Which doctor is best for l4 l5 disc bulge?

Herniated discs are quite common and do not always need treatment. Most of the time they can be healed by rest; however, if symptoms persist, you may need to see an orthopedic surgeon near you specializing in spine surgery.

What causes degeneration of l4 and l5?

Degeneration occurs because of age-related wear-and-tear on a spinal disc, and may be accelerated by injury, health and lifestyle factors, and possibly by genetic predisposition to joint pain or musculoskeletal disorders.


Which doctor to consult for l4 l5 disc bulge?

If you experience the severe bulging disc symptoms outlined here, contact your personal doctor or spine specialist immediately (your personal doctor may refer you to a spine specialist if you don't have one).