If you suddenly start feeling pain in your lower back or hip that radiates to the back of your thigh and into your leg, you may have a protruding (herniated) disk in your spinal column that is pressing on the roots of the sciatic nerve. This condition is known as sciatica.

Sciatica may feel like a bad leg cramp that lasts for weeks before it goes away. You may have pain, especially when you sit, sneeze, or cough. You may also have weakness, "pins and needles" numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation down your leg...

Athletes in all contact sports have many opportunities to get a muscle contusion (bruise). Contusions are second only to strains as a leading cause of sports injuries...

Regular exercise and a gradual return to everyday activities are important for your full recovery. Your orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist may recommend that you exercise approximately 20 to 30 minutes, two or three times a day once you are out of your postoperative dressings. This guide can help you better understand your exercise/activity program, supervised by your physical therapist or orthopaedic surgeon...

In future issues, Dr. Flinders will be addressing selected medical questions for use in our on-line newsletter. To participate and have your question considered for publication, please send your inquiry to DrFlinders@bonedoc2000.com.

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