I have a shooting back pain at the belt line above my right hip. At times it shots down to my knee & for a few minutes one day made my right foot numb. When I awoke this AM it was fine, but it seems the more gravity is in charge the more it hurts. I am a 65 year old male. I am not on any prescription meds and otherwise healthy
HiT hank you for asking ChatDoctorI have gone through your query. Shooting back pain radiating towards knee or leg can be most likely due to Sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy. This usually occurs due to nerve compression from lumbar intervertebral disc bulge. A physical examination by orthopedic will be helpful to rule out this. X-ray followed by MRI of lumbar spine will be required to confirm it. If you were my patient I would recommend NSAIDs like Diclofenac, muscle relaxants like Tizanidine and neurotrophic like Pregabalin and methylcobalamin. I also advise taking physiotherapy like TENS after consulting a physiotherapist. Back muscle strengthening exercises and wearing lumbar supporting belt will be helpful for this also. Avoid lifting heavy objects and bending. Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything is not clear. Thanks.