Referred limb symptoms in chronic low back pain.

Referred limb symptoms (RLS) in chronic low back pain patients without signs of root affections were studied in 212 men and 126 women, aged 36-55 years, who were at work, but suffered from chronic or recurrent low back pain. RLS during the past few months were experienced by 17% daily and 22% occasionally. Previous RLS were reported by 34%, whereas 27% had never had such symptoms. There was a 3:4 distribution between symptoms in right and left legs, and 30% claimed symptoms in both legs. The distal extension of RLS into the limbs was as follows: thigh 18%, leg 37%, foot 20%, and toes 26%. The nature of RLS comprised the following: pain 56%, numbness 50%, cramps 22%, sharp pain 15%, and weakness 10%. Occurrence of RLS was not related to age. In both men and women, RLS correlated with subjective disability as well as with pain on bendings and palpation of lumbar spine and muscles. Men with previous and present RLS had greater external rotation of the hips, but otherwise no specific physical measurements were related with RLS. RLS of both legs in women and of distal extension in men showed more findings related with back pain.