You may think you're having pain in one part of your body but in reality it's another area that's actually the culprit.

Often times the only indication that something is wrong with your back, may be pain in your legs. Back surgery patient Mary Jeanne Allen says, "It radiated down the back of my legs. I didn't know a back problem could not hurt your back."

Mary Jeanne's not alone. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Abbott Kagan explains that many times people don't realize that what they think might be bothering them is really coming from another part of their body. "Where a patient's pain is located gives us an idea of where it may be coming from, but it's not always what it may seem because sometimes pain in the shoulder is coming from the neck, pain in the hip is coming from the back and pain in the knee is actually coming from the hip."

Dr. Kagan says it's easy for people to misdiagnose themselves because certain musculoskeletal injuries are difficult to recognize. "The key is when something doesn't fit. In other word, if the pain doesn't fit. You get an x-ray."

Dr. Kagan also says that if not diagnosed and treated early, your injury could develop into a chronic disabling condition. family physicians are normally familiar with the initial assessment of these conditions and, when appropriate, refer patients promptly to an orthopedic surgeon. "Orthopedic surgeons are specialists in the care of muscular-skeletal problems, and they are very well qualified, and highly qualified to do this type of work and to make this type of diagnoses."

A good rule to follow is that if you have general back or leg pain that persists for more than 2 weeks you should definitely see your physician. For some types of pain, you should call your doctor right away because pain from a heart attack may be felt in the neck, jaws, arms, or abdomen.