Back Groin & Leg Pain
Back pain is one of the most common reasons Americans visit their physicians, according to Dr. Peter F. Ullrich of Spine Health.com. And almost one out of every three Americans older than 45 complains of knee pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. Back, groin and leg pain can be experienced together or separately. Common causes of back, groin and leg pain include strains, overuse and other physical injuries. Treatments generally include rest, massage, pain medication, and in some instances physical or rehabilitative therapy. It is important to identify the source of your pain and discuss it with a medical professional to prevent long-term damage.
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Back Pain
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Back pain is a term used to describe any discomfort in the back. It can be short-term or long-term, meaning longer than three months. The most common causes of back pain are muscle strain, overuse and injury. However, back pain can also be a sign or symptom of a condition such as kidney infections, kidney stones, pregnancy, obesity, ovarian and/or uterine problems, tumors on the spine or pelvis, or herpes. Congenital bone conditions such as scoliosis and spina bifida, as well as degenerative conditions such as spondylosis or osteoarthritis, also can cause back pain.
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Groin Pain
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Groin pain describes discomfort where the thigh meets the abdomen. In males, the term "groin pain" is also used to describe testicular pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, men are more likely than women to have groin pain. The most common causes for groin pain are muscle strain and injury, usually from playing sports. However, it also can be a symptom of medical illness such as kidney stones, hernias and tumors, or of inflammation and pinched nerves. Treatment generally includes rest, pain medication, and sometimes surgery.
Leg Pain
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Leg pain describes any discomfort in one or both legs. The most common cause of leg pain is injury. However, it can be a symptom of disease. For instance, people with deep vein thrombosis have pain in the thigh and lower leg. Leg pain can also be caused by nerve irritation. For instance, sciatica, a shooting pain down the legs, is caused by injury to the sciatic nerve, the body's longest nerve, which runs along the spinal cord and down each leg.
Knee Pain
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Knee pain is the most common pain and injury associated with the legs. It typically results from a strain but can also be caused by overuse, repeated stress, physical injury, or degeneration from aging, or occur as a symptom of a medical condition. For example, patients with arthritis and gout have knee pain as a symptom.
Warning
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Mild to moderate pain in the legs, including the knee, groin or back, usually does not warrant immediate medical attention. But any pain that is severe, leaves you unable to walk, or does not improve within a few days should be discussed with a doctor immediately to prevent long-term damage. Additionally, seek immediate, emergency medical attention if you are male and the pain affects one testicle for more than three hours or if you have blood in your urine. Failure to do so might result in lost of the testicles or permanent reproductive damage.
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