Maignes syndrome is low back pain that radiates into the buttock and upper leg.

[Maignes Syndrome or Maigne's Syndrome? My apologies to language boffs. Search engines on the web do not like the ubiquitous little apostrophe!]

The area between the low back and the midback (where you can see the last rib), is called the thoraco-lumbar region.

The thoraco-lumbar junction syndrome , also known as MAIGNES SYNDROME, has been thought to be responsible for up to 40 percent of common low back pain. This percentage is subjectively based upon Dr. Maigne's personal statistical study of 500 cases.

MAIGNES SYNDROME CASEFILE

LATERAL FEMORAL CUTANEOUS NERVE

More complex, this LFCN may be involved in a "double-crush" syndrome where there is often a subluxation in the upper lumbar spine, AND the nerve is crushed in the groin. Then it's called Meralgia Paresthetica ..., read more ...

A 'syndrome' simply means a collection of seemingly unrelated signs and symptoms: Buttock and low back pain are typical of Maignes Syndrome, but groin pain perhaps, lateral hip and thigh pain, anterior thigh pain may all be mimicked by this condition via the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (L2-L3) though, as I said, this is not technically Maignes Syndrome.

Other conditions affecting this area are the piriformis syndrome ... a small buttock muscle through or around which the sciatic nerve must negotiate its way to the leg.

The side of the thigh is occupied by the IlioTibial band syndrome (ITB) a long band of tissue stretching from the Tensor Fascia Lata muscle to the side of the knee.

Another condition is the Femero Acetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAIS)... which also can cause groin and side of the hip pain. It is characterised by stiffness in the hip, and may be found in young people.

These are conditions that Chiropractic excels in. (Well, hip arthritis in its early to moderate stages. Thereafter it's a surgeon's work.)

But, it's a highly complex area also involving Medical conditions like an Inguinal Hernia, Aneurisms in one of the Iliac arteries, lymph nodes, and many others. Your Chiropractor will make a careful examination of the area, and may well ask for a second medical opinion.

An aside.

Only this week I have had two new patients who have had severe disabling pain in this area for over a year. I know I can help them both, but anyway it's a relief that the medical conditions have been ruled out. But they have suffered needlessly because of the suspicion that Chiropractic is still treated with. How can I say with such confidence that I can help them? Because it's almost become bread and butter - I see these conditions on a daily basis. What's really needed is some good research ...

Have A Question about your lower back?

I receive many questions about Chiropractic. It might be help with a spinal condition, but it might also be from a person who can't walk after a hip operation, or some such thing.

I will do that by answering your questions personally, but it will be converted to a Web Page so others can benefit from your questions. Omit your name if you like...

However, do understand that, in the main, I'm going to be directing you (should it be pertinent) to a Chiropractor in your neck of the woods. I'll respond to all reasonable inquiries, but please be specific, and give some details.

There is no charge for this service, however if you find my answer useful, you might like to consider purchasing my latest book, Stones in my Clog. Gems, both funny and healthful, from the life and work of a Chiropractor. It's only $2.99. (http://www.bernard-preston.com/Stones-in-my-Clog.html)

Pose Me A Question! Pretty please, in decent grammar and spelling.

I will never give or sell your e-mail address to anyone.

Do understand that lower back pain is extremely complex, so I can only give general guidelines. There's no substitute for a careful thorough chiropractic examination.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Pain in my lower back radiating down the right buttock and leg.
I am a 55 year old female in pretty good health.I have had this pain for two and a half years now with little or no help from twenty three different doctors/...

Femoral nerve pain in the buttocks area that sometimes moves to front right leg Not rated yet
Femoral nerve

I typically have pain in the buttocks area that sometimes spreads to the side and front right leg. I've never experienced this on my left ...

Maignes Syndrome Not rated yet
Maignes Syndrome

I appreciate your web site.

Just wrote an article on Maignes syndrome,
for Dynamic Chiropractic.

http://www.dynamicchiropractic....

Elbow pain and tingling in 4th and 5th digit Not rated yet
I bumped my elbow during a fall. Now when I bend my elbow for long periods, e.g. During typing, using my cell phone to text, I get pain and discomfort ...

lower back pain left side - worse at night! Not rated yet
lower back pain

I am 60 years old, have confirmed lordosis of the spine and degeneration of the spine applicable to my age (MRI scan).

Over the ...

A bit more science!

LATERAL FEMORAL CUTANEOUS NERVE (LFCN)

Notice how the iliacus (together with the psoas) courses down with its tendon inserting into to the femur in the upper thigh. These muscles (together called the Ilio-psoas) are in part responsible for the intense tenderness in the groin that may accompany the numbness in these syndromes.

It then passes under the inguinal ligament (can you trace the LFCN in the graphic above?) into the thigh (this is where it is pinched in Meralgia Paresthetica), where it divides into ...

FROM THE COAL FACE

'We had better start with a good examination, Mrs P. Would you slip your down to your underwear, please.'

The examination was unremarkable in many respects. All the neurological and orthopaedic tests were negative. The previous practitioners had successfully treated the lumbar spine and the pelvis. But the pain remained. A raw, gnawing pain. X-rays didn't show much of interest, but indeed a moderate curve with the apex at the thoraco lumbar junction, where we found a massive fixation. It was solid as concrete. I don't diagnose it as Maignes Syndrome until the buttock pain has been successfully cleared by the thoraco-lumbar adjustment.

Early in my career, I had the good fortune, to walk past an elderly chiropractor giving a colleague an adjustment at a chiropractic congress. I had never seen the technique before. Or since, for that matter, but I use it every day. I call it the FIST EXTENSION, simply because I know of no other name.

I've only cracked four ribs in nearly thirty years in practice. One of them was using this technique! But it's fixed hundreds of Maigne's syndrome sufferers. Fortunately, a large bouquet of flowers, and a humble letter of apology saved my bacon. I suppose in America I would have had the pants sued off me, and those hundreds of people would still be suffering because I would be too afraid to use FIST EXTENSION again!

The cost of low back pain is becoming a massive burden to society, not least of which because the enormous insurance premiums doctors have to pay. If this little understood Maignes syndrome makes up 40% of low back pain ...then no wonder we are making little progress. (personally I think 40% is over the top. That was Dr Maigne's opinion). Once you start to factor in lost time at work... If you are interested, read on about the economic burden of LOW BACK PAIN ...

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MAIGNES SYNDROME

Did you find this page useful? Then perhaps forward Maignes Syndrome to a friend suffering from lower back pain that is not responding to treatment.

This site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or manage any illness. Please consult your chiropractor.

The information is to the best of my ability at the time of writing accurate and correct. Queries, comments and corrections are very welcome.

SBI!