Which spinal level is commonly associated with acute low back pain radiating to the lateral thigh and dorsum of the foot?

The spinal level commonly associated with acute low back pain radiating to the lateral thigh and dorsum of the foot is L5. This is primarily because the L5 nerve root is responsible for innervating the muscles and skin in that distribution.

When a patient experiences pain that travels from the low back down the lateral thigh and into the dorsum of the foot, it typically indicates nerve root involvement, specifically the L5 nerve root. This root exits from the spinal cord around the lower lumbar region and influences sensation and movement in the areas mentioned.

The pain pattern associated with L5 typically includes sensory changes in the dorsum of the foot and possibly weakness in foot dorsiflexion, depending on the severity of nerve root irritation or compression. Understanding these specific nerve root distributions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of low back pain and radiculopathy.