<s>[INST] I have been having pain in my lower back, hips, and glutes (which is not unusual for me--I have been dealing with lower back pain for several years). For the past two weeks my pain level has been higher and I also have occasional stabbing pain in my left knee and ankle. Today I suddenly developed freckles on my legs for the first time ever. I had some sun exposure 2 days ago but did not get them on my chest or back, just my legs, where there was no significant reddening or sunburn. A month ago I traveled to Africa. Two weeks ago I pulled a tick off myself. Could this be more than just my typical back pain? [/INST] HiThank you for asking HCM.I have gone through your query. Your problem can be due to intervertebral disc herniation or osteochondrosis of lumbo sacral spine which gives such pain called sciatica due to nerve compression. It will radiate to knee and leg. You should get an examination with orthopedician which will give clue for that and a X ray followed by MRI of lumbo sacral spine might be needed to confirm that. For such condition i advice NSAIDs like aceclofenac muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine and neurotropic drugs. I also send them to physiotherapy along with this. Hope this may help you. Let me know if you have any further queries. </s>