Back, hip, or leg pain has a sneaky way of shrinking your world. One day it is a nagging ache, the next it is dictating how long you can sit, how far you can walk, and whether you can sleep through the night. If the pain keeps hanging around or keeps coming back, it is easy to feel stuck.
At Freedom Spine & Pain Center, Rajesh K. Sharma, MD, is board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management and completed an Interventional Pain Management fellowship. Vrunda H. Pandya, MD, is board-certified in Anesthesiology, completed fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Hospital for Special Surgery, and has practiced in San Antonio for years. Chronic pain is exhausting, but it can also be a sign that it is time for a smarter plan.
When Pain Stops Feeling “Normal”
A sore muscle after yardwork or a long shift is one thing. Pain that lasts for weeks or flares up repeatedly is another. Ongoing back, hip, or leg pain can be connected to issues such as irritated nerves, joint inflammation, disc-related changes, spinal stenosis, or SI joint dysfunction. Sometimes the real source is not where the pain is felt, which is why the right evaluation matters.
Signs It’s Time To Get Checked
If any of these sound familiar, it may be time to get answers:
- Pain lasting longer than a few weeks or returning again and again
- Pain that travels into the hip, buttock, or down the leg
- Tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation
- Weakness, heaviness, or an unsteady feeling in the leg
- Pain that spikes with sitting, standing, bending, or walking
These patterns can offer important clues about what is driving symptoms.
Questions Patients Ask All The Time
Is It Sciatica?
It might be, but several spine and joint conditions can mimic sciatica and cause similar leg symptoms.
Why Does It Travel Into The Leg?
Pain can radiate when a nerve is irritated or compressed, sending symptoms along the nerve’s pathway.
Does It Mean Surgery Is Next?
Not necessarily. Many people find relief through non-surgical options once the source is identified.
Treatment Options That Go Beyond Temporary Relief
Lasting progress usually starts with pinpointing the pain generator and building a plan around it. Depending on symptoms and findings, treatment options may include focused rehabilitation strategies, medication management when appropriate, and image-guided injections designed to calm inflammation around joints or nerves.
For some patients, minimally invasive procedures can help reduce pain signals and improve day-to-day function, with practical guidance to help avoid flare-ups along the way.
Care For Chronic Pain In San Antonio, Boerne, And Kerrville
Chronic pain can make even simple plans feel complicated, but a better path forward can start with one conversation. Call 210-920-8945 to schedule a consultation to discuss symptoms, explore treatment options, and get a plan designed around real relief and better daily function.