Hello all,
I purchased my 2010 Audi A5 at the end of June 2013. Ive had it for almost 4 months now. I love the way it looks and how it drives, but the seats have given me some real back issues. Since then I've developed Piriformis and Sciatica and it hurts to drive. The pain starts in my lower back, nerve pain in my right glute, down to my outer shin/calf. I believe it's either the bolsters or the lumbar area causing this issue, even while the lumbar support is all the way off.

These are the seats I have:
http://images.newcars.com/images/car...nt-Seats-1.png

I've read these other threads of other users having similar issues but none really offer a solution:
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2818303
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a4-b5-platform-discussion-1/lower-back-pain-a4-seats-24003/
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=1647827
http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-genera...e-seats-2.html

I've emailed my local Audi dealership to see if they have a solution since this seems to be somewhat a common issue. I also asked if maybe an A6 seat would fit in an A5 seeing how their seats are less sporty. They told me to call the Audi Customer Care Line.

I've tried everything I can try to get this to work. I've tried different seat adjustments, stopped wearing my wallet in my back pocket, I've tried a cushion, I've been to a chiropractor, I've been to massage therapists, I've been to physical therapists, I do lots of hip/glute stretches and recently I've been trying acupuncture. All seem to offer temporary relief but acupuncture seems to be working more than the rest but I still have the pain while walking or sitting, even outside the car. If I continue to get acupuncture while the car seat is the source of the problem, it's just going to be a circle with no real fix.

Does anyone have any suggestions or solutions to this issue that work? Any tips would be greatly appreciated as I really love the vehicle and would hate to have to change it because of the seats, but it is causing frustrating issues in day to day living. Thanks again

Semper Fidelis,
-Ricardo

 

I'm about to get my new a5 with the s line sport seats and now you got me worried. I have the exact issue you have with my sciatica nerve on my right side causing lower back issues. What feels like a pinch nerve on my right butt cheek and numbness down my whole right leg which also has been causing discomfort in the knee and calf. Have you gone to docs or chiropractor? I need to go get it checked out. Good luck.

 

Stop driving the A5 immediately and drive another car. If you start to feel better-- then you have evidence that the back pain is from the A5.

 

While the car seat might be contributing to the problems, it's very possibly something else that is causing the issue. The symptoms I'm reading here from both of you sound very much like stenosis, a condition whereby a ruptured lumbar disk or arthritis growth of the lower spine bone structure is pressing on the nerve bundle causing inflammation and pain. Often, if this condition isn't permanently resolved by physical therapy, cortisone injections or other methods, surgery can often be the only solution.

If the pain is mostly along the buttocks down to the left, right or both legs, coupled with numbness or weakness in the leg(s), the pressure point(s) are usually in the lower lumbar spine area. Often, the pain will diminish or disappear if in a sitting or bent over position but returns when standing or walking for any length of time.

I had a portion of a ruptured L3 disk removed in my lower back 10 years ago and am now facing the same issue in L2. If physical therapy doesn't resolve the problem, your doctor should recommend an MRI be performed to see where the issue lies and if stenosis is present, a visit to a neurosurgeon for an evaluation should be the next step.

 

I agree. It would be worthwhile to rent a car for a week and see if the issue goes away. But first can you describe your method for adjusting your seat position? How high do you set it, is the seat back upright, how far from the steering wheel do you sit? Many people make the mistake of sitting too low or too far back, and with too much incline on the seat back.

 

Thanks for your responses.

fasteddy91, sounds like you and I are on the same boat with sciatica nerve on the right side and lower back issues. The pinched nerve is on the right glute and while it skips my leg, I feel nerve pain on the outside of my shin/calf. I have gone to a chiropractor but I think I'm going to request an MRI next to see whats up since this has been going on for 4 months.

KarlFEvans, I will try to switch vehicles with my brother for a bit. He has a Honda Ridgeline so I don't think there will be issues with those seats.

snagitseven, I definitely want to avoid any injections to my back but as mentioned above, I think I will ask my chiro to order an MRI to see what the problem is. I do have pain sporadically while walking and just sitting in any normal chair. I can do all the stretches in the world and get acupuncture every day but if the source is the car seat, it'll all be for nothing.

ChipB, I will try to switch cars with my brother. I will say that I was out of town for over a week in September. While abroad I still had pain and when I got back to drive, same thing. I did forget to mention that I drive a manual transmission so I'm constantly moving both legs. I have been in the passenger seat while my brother tried out the car, and I have to say that I did not experience any pain/discomfort, the passenger seat does not have the lumbar mechanism. To adjust my seat, I'm close enough where I can clutch all the way in, the *** part of the seat is all the way down and the front part is all the way up. The backrest is probably at an 70 or 80 degree angle.

I've read some posts where people believe its the sporty seat bolsters lifting your hips which cause a bad posture, that and offset pedals. Other people believe it's the lumbar support, which even after turning all the way off you still feel support in that area. I've read in posts that people go as far as to taking their vehicle to an upholstery shop to get the whole mechanism removed. I'd like to avoid that.

Here is the initial post of users removing the lumbar section all together

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-genera...ble-seats.html

Thanks for all your input, I will try to get an MRI next week and l'll keep you updated on what is happening and what Audi says.

Semper Fidelis,
-Ricardo

 

Silly question....but I got to ask...do you carry your wallet in your back pocket? This used to cause issues when I drove long distances. I now carry my wallet in my front pocket.

 

fasteddy91, I did initially which I know added to the issue but once I started getting the pain I stopped. I haven't had my wallet in my back pocket for about 3 months now. Even when I'm not driving, I don't carry it in my back pocket.

Semper Fidelis,
-Ricardo

 

Ricardo, I have been there, done that. Pain in your buttock and especially down the leg into the calf could be indicative of lower back problems, such as a bulging disc pressing on a nerve. Would strongly suggest you seek the medical advice of a DO, or doctor of osteopathy. This is an MD equivalent, but with a focus on the musculoskeletal system and a wholistic approach to healing. In my case, a series of X-rays and MRis were ordered, and a program of exercises and mild manipulation given over the course of months. Through years of sitting and stress my anatomy had become out of whack and it takes some corrective work and exercises to get things in alignment again. The best part is you will learn that this can be corrected and maintained by yourself, not by some chiropractor who gets to keep charging you to do what you can do yourself. The muscles and ligaments hold the bones in the correct positions, so learn what exercises to do and keep them where they belong. Before long you will be pain free and good to go.

 

I would agree with other posters, an MRI or CATscan is in order. CatScans tend to work better with bone structure.

Also, I wanted to point out that based on the picture you provided you have the standard seats. Below is the "Sport Seats"

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews.../photo_01.html