Question
I have had ongoing back pain for the last 4 years - this was first put down to the fact I was born with club foot which was corrected at 18 months old but I have slight difference in leg length.  I was order a heel lift for my shoes and sent to back exercise classes.  The back pain came and went, when it returned I also attend a chiropractor which seemed to help.
In March 2011 the pain returned, started as a burning pain in my lower back when I stood up or sat, the pain stopped in my back and I started to get the burning pain in the back of right thigh which would go after I walked for 10 minutes. I started to see an Osteopath in April 2011, they said my back was tight but nothing major and suggested I try Pilates which I started in May.  The pain in the back of my right leg got worse and I started to walk bent over and had trouble sleeping due to the pain.  On 28th May I woke up and  could not walk due to the pain.  I have not been able to stand up straight for 2 weeks due to the pain it causes in my right thigh, my little toe on my right foot has also been numb for a week.  I have trouble in passing urine in that it takes longer, I have no actual pain in my back.  I am on Tramadol and Naproxen. I have a hospital appointment next week and am hoping for an MRI.  I am still attending the Chiropractor but wonder if this could worsen my problem rather than help it? It did appear that the Chiropractor helped in the first instance and I am able to stand a bit more than before.
I am a 30 year old female, slightly over weight, prior to this was active and attend the gym.
Any advice would be great

Answer
I think there is high likelihood that you have a herniated or bulging disc in your lumbar spine. As you mentioned, the only thing that will clearly show this an MRI. While cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency, I think it may be a little premature to say that's what you have despite the fact you have some of the symptoms including some difficulty with passing urine. The Osteopath and Chiropractor you have been seeing should be able to make the appropriate assessment. Get the MRI first and go from there. The pain and symptoms you are experiencing should respond with a combination of conservative care, meds and physical therapy. Do an internet search on 'lumbar disc bulge, herniation and lumbar radiculopathy' to get yourself informed on ways to treat and manage the condition. Since the pain seems to be rather acute I would also suggest you go easy with any manual therapies at this point. Intersegmental traction and a chiropractic technique called Cox Flexion-Distraction may be worth investigating as are McKenzie back exercises which you can do on your own. A visit with a physical therapist should help put you on a home exercise program. Most back pain does indeed resolve if you do the right things and give it enough time. Hang in there and I wish you a speedy recovery.