Back pain accompanied by leg numbness is a persistent ache in the back that gradually spreads down to the buttocks, calves, and feet. Many individuals delay seeking medical attention until the numbness and pain intensify, or they experience a complete loss of sensation, significantly impacting daily activities and work, at which point the condition has often become severe.

Doctor Dang Quoc Duan, a Master of Medicine and surgeon in the Spine Surgery Department at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, states that back pain with leg numbness can indicate conditions such as lumbar spinal degeneration, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica. These conditions require early medical intervention; delayed treatment can increase the risk of complications and affect mobility.

Doctor Duan explains spinal damage to a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Patients should seek medical attention as soon as possible for timely treatment if they experience symptoms such as leg numbness and back pain lasting longer than one week without improvement, pain spreading to other body parts, pain worsening at specific times of the day (middle of the night, early morning), or when performing certain postures (bending over, squatting). The numbness and pain might be accompanied by limb weakness, causing the legs to be unable to support the body with each step, loss of bowel or bladder control, unexplained weight loss, high fever without an identified cause, or pain following an accident.

Based on examination results and diagnostic imaging, doctors can identify the cause and prescribe appropriate back pain treatment methods. Firstly, patients need to modify their lifestyle habits, including diet, exercise, and mental health management.

Patients may be prescribed physical therapy with the goal of reducing pain and numbness and restoring motor function. This method is often indicated for back pain with leg numbness caused by herniated discs, spinal degeneration, spinal stenosis, or post-injury. Depending on the severity of the condition and the back pain, doctors may prescribe certain medications to help reduce pain and inflammation.

Therapy helps reduce back pain caused by spinal conditions. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Surgery is the last resort when patients do not respond to conservative treatment after approximately 6-8 weeks or show signs of bowel and bladder control loss. Based on the patient's health status and the extent of the injury, the doctor will choose the appropriate surgical method.

According to Doctor Duan, modern surgical treatments for spinal conditions are highly safe, allowing patients to walk on the first day after surgery and be discharged quickly. The risk of complications from nerve, blood vessel, or other soft tissue damage is significantly reduced thanks to modern equipment such as ultrasonic bone cutting machines, which allow surgeons to remove bone structures using high-frequency ultrasound waves without causing bleeding during the cut, and continuous intraoperative X-ray systems that accurately pinpoint the bone requiring intervention.

To enhance treatment effectiveness, patients should seek medical attention upon noticing any unusual signs and follow the doctor's prescribed treatment.

Phi Hong