Sciatica due to soft tissue compression?
Has anyone experienced sciatica that did not come from a disc problem? I also don't think it's piriformis syndrome. My lumbar MRI is clear (actually healed a slight disc bluge at L4/L5 since my last one). Most of my symptoms don't seem to fit an unseen disc issue. I'm exploring a few options, including soft tissue causes and iliac vein compression-related neuralgia. So I'd like to hear the not-so obvious causes if you've experienced that.
Please don't tell me to just do PT and walk, and it will get better. It started while I was walking and I have been consistently doing lower back and piriformis PT stretches before this even started.
-Most pain is in my feet and lower legs from the knee down. Thighs and gluten are bypassed for pain (odd, I know).
-The pain ranges from burning, occasional sharp stabs, pins and needles/numbness, and muscle twitches. It changes but it is always incredibly uncomfortable.
-The pain is bilateral, moves around and is primarily right-sided.
-Pain originates in my lower back, primarily right side above my glute.
-Glutes do not hurt outside of soreness from PT exercises.
-Initial pain began as a sudden sharp stab in lower back while walking slightly uphill on February 25.
-Burning pain in feet has come and gone over the past 5 years, but this is the worst It's ever been. It had never started at one distinct moment before, but was gradual and resolved with gentle PT stretches.
-Sitting sucks. I can do it for about 30 uncomfortable minutes. Standing still also sucks, I have to alternate for work. Walking seems to help a little, but even that is uncomfortable after so long and my lower back gets a tight/pressure feeling.
-35F, avid walker/hiker, desk worker, non-diabetic (so no it is not peripheral neuropathy), assumed hypermobile by my spine specialist due to other symptoms (waiting on formal diagnosis appt).
-Related: Previously diagnosed with snapping hip syndrome/ snapping iliopsoas by ortho surgeon.
I'm at a loss and I'm so frustrated because it seems nothing is getting better no matter what I do. I've already had one major setback after walking for 2.5 miles (the pain happened again and symptoms got worse), so I am trying to avoid another one.
If anyone has any thoughts on this, I'm all ears. 😩