X-ray for lower back pain showed nothing why?

Question

I have had lower back pain for the last 2 years. Recently the pain started again about a month ago. I have achy pain in my spinal area with electric like shocks down both of my legs..Sometimes my right foot feels numb! If I sit for to long or stand for to long it hurts so bad. I have been in Physical Therapy for 3 weeks and I am not getting any relief. My PT thinks it is a ruptured Disc, However when I did an x-ray the results came back normal with just a small sign of degenerate disc. My question is why wouldn't a disc problem show up on an x-ray. My doctor basically told me there is nothing to worry about it. There has got to be something that is causing such severe pain down my legs. Has anyone gone through this or maybe could shed some light on the issue. I am really confused..... Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You should request an MRI, It shows a clearer imagine of your spine and nerves. X-rays would only show bones( fractures, etc.)You might have a pinched nerve. Exercise helps a lot!

Answer 2

Yah what doctors mean when they say dont worry about the shooting electrical shocks down your legs and itchy feelings (which means probably a nerve is being compressed) is "Hey I dont freaking know but I wont say that because Im a DOCTOR... bleh bleh bleh."  OK so you know youve been seeing a PT for a few weeks and its not getting better.  I would say that you should give the PT a few more weeks.  If it doesnt help go see a chiropractor.  Your doc and PT wont agree if you tell them that, but you should do it.  I have had great results with them.   Also, yoga might help you feel better too.  I saw a thing on TV where a guy with a bulging disc did yoga 3 months and it wasnt bulging any more.

Answer 3

You could have what they call spinal spinal stenosis,a herniated disk that the x-ray is not picking up.I suggest you see a good Orthopedic or Neuro Dr. and get an MRI. the MRI will definitely pick up the problem .Mind you, I am not a Dr. so do get a Dr's opinion.

Answer 4

~ Hi ~ ! By my answers I sound like I've had every pain condition known to man. However, I have had experience with lumbar issues. I was having tremendous pain that radiating to my hip and down my left leg. I had X-Rays of my spine and hip and everything appeared "normal" and my Doctor basically gave me the feeling that I should be "feeling fine". Just like you're experiencing with your Doctor.

X-Rays, only show what's going on with the bony structure of the spine (or whatever is being X-rayed). Like if you had a collapsed disc, that would show up in a X-Ray. However, it doesn't show what's going on with the soft tissues. An MRI will show that. When my Doctor FINALLY did an MRI it showed a large herniated disc (when the Neuro Spine surgeon) saw it, he couldn't believe I was able to walk around.

All I can say is be persistent and demand an MRI. There is probably something going on with the discs that an X-Ray won't show.

I hope you get relief soon! =)

Answer 5

X-rays show bones, gaps and shadows. So we can rule out any fractures and the gaps between the vertebra, bones seem normal. For you to see if it is a disc problem, you need a MRI, which shows bones and soft tissue, disc being soft tissue. Best of Luck