Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Numbness And Pain In Calf And Back
Question: Hi, I am having left leg calf pain and backside of thigh pain from the past 6+ months. Initially it started with a back pain but currently I dont have any back pain. I get numbness in right leg fingers and thigh if I stand or walk for more than 10 mins. My MRI showed that I have a disc bulge at L4-L5 and also a sacral cyst. I underwent physiotherapy (pelvic traction and other modalities) but of no use. I was on medication like gabapentin for 7 days but no use. Currently I am doing exercises daily but still I dont see any change in pain. The pain is tolerable but I cannot stand or walk for more than 10 mins. Please help me with your advise. Also to let you know I am on antidepressants medications from the past 6+ months for my anxiety and panic attacks.
Brief Answer:
Muscular pain likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain in the calf and the back of the thigh that you have is likely to be a muscular pain.
The mild disc bulge that you have at L4-L5 is causing some pressure on the exiting nerves. It can cause a pain radiating to the thigh and leg.
This can be due to:
1. Deficiency of certain nutrients like Iron, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin D, Calcium, etc. which interferes with blood formation & nerve conduction.
2. Decrease in blood sugar levels (Hypoglycemia)
3. Any fluctuation in blood pressure levels such as Hypotension.
4. Hormonal imbalance like Hypothyroidism.
5. Lack of adequate hydration, proper nutrition & good sleep.
6. Even emotional factors like stress/tension can lead to such symptoms.
Investigations like complete blood count, estimation of blood pressure and blood sugar levels will be helpful in clinching the diagnosis.
So, it will be better to consult an orthopaedician & get a proper physical examination done to find out the exact cause.
Based upon that, appropriate management steps could be taken.
Meanwhile, you can try these-
To help the pain, ice the area immediately after getting up in the morning. You can use either a store-bought cold pack or a frozen wet towel. Ice for 10 or 15 minutes. To reduce inflammation, take an aspirin or ibuprofen at mealtime. Do get some muscle relaxants prescribed from your orthopedician for a sustained relief.
A 4-inch wide Crepe bandage wrapped around the region also helps reduce discomfort.
Calf and anterior (front of) leg stretching and strengthening addresses the bio mechanical problems and reduces pain.
Use shoes with good arch support and a cushioned sole.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Muscular pain likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain in the calf and the back of the thigh that you have is likely to be a muscular pain.
The mild disc bulge that you have at L4-L5 is causing some pressure on the exiting nerves. It can cause a pain radiating to the thigh and leg.
This can be due to:
1. Deficiency of certain nutrients like Iron, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin D, Calcium, etc. which interferes with blood formation & nerve conduction.
2. Decrease in blood sugar levels (Hypoglycemia)
3. Any fluctuation in blood pressure levels such as Hypotension.
4. Hormonal imbalance like Hypothyroidism.
5. Lack of adequate hydration, proper nutrition & good sleep.
6. Even emotional factors like stress/tension can lead to such symptoms.
Investigations like complete blood count, estimation of blood pressure and blood sugar levels will be helpful in clinching the diagnosis.
So, it will be better to consult an orthopaedician & get a proper physical examination done to find out the exact cause.
Based upon that, appropriate management steps could be taken.
Meanwhile, you can try these-
To help the pain, ice the area immediately after getting up in the morning. You can use either a store-bought cold pack or a frozen wet towel. Ice for 10 or 15 minutes. To reduce inflammation, take an aspirin or ibuprofen at mealtime. Do get some muscle relaxants prescribed from your orthopedician for a sustained relief.
A 4-inch wide Crepe bandage wrapped around the region also helps reduce discomfort.
Calf and anterior (front of) leg stretching and strengthening addresses the bio mechanical problems and reduces pain.
Use shoes with good arch support and a cushioned sole.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor,
Thank You for your reply. I visited Ortho doctor and he said I should undergo surgery hence bit scared. So you think that my pain is muscular pain rather than disc bulge pain or sacral cyst pain? Its been now 6+ months..does muscular pain will persists such long time? please advise. I am having numbness in the right leg and thigh hence I am really scared because its been now 6+ I am unable to walk or stand for more than 10 mins. Thank You
Thank You for your reply. I visited Ortho doctor and he said I should undergo surgery hence bit scared. So you think that my pain is muscular pain rather than disc bulge pain or sacral cyst pain? Its been now 6+ months..does muscular pain will persists such long time? please advise. I am having numbness in the right leg and thigh hence I am really scared because its been now 6+ I am unable to walk or stand for more than 10 mins. Thank You
Brief Answer:
Can be persistent.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Muscular pains can be persistent if not treated properly.
Surgery is not needed immediately. The nerve root compression can decrease with lumbar traction and muscle relaxants.
The pain is not related to sacral cyst.
The numbness can be due to low levels of vitamin B 12 or nerve compression. You can get your blood levels checked.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Can be persistent.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Muscular pains can be persistent if not treated properly.
Surgery is not needed immediately. The nerve root compression can decrease with lumbar traction and muscle relaxants.
The pain is not related to sacral cyst.
The numbness can be due to low levels of vitamin B 12 or nerve compression. You can get your blood levels checked.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor,
Thank You for you reply. I visited couple of doctors already. Sure. I will do complete blood work. I will follow your instructions interms of ice and excersises. Is there any other medicine which I can take? I already took gabapentin for 7 days but of no use also pain medications. As I said earlier I am taking few antidepressants hence suggest medications which I safe?
Thank you .
Thank You for you reply. I visited couple of doctors already. Sure. I will do complete blood work. I will follow your instructions interms of ice and excersises. Is there any other medicine which I can take? I already took gabapentin for 7 days but of no use also pain medications. As I said earlier I am taking few antidepressants hence suggest medications which I safe?
Thank you .
Brief Answer:
Muscle relaxants will help.
Detailed Answer:
You can take Vitamin B 12 supplements and muscle relaxants like chlozoxazone or baclofen. Continue taking gabapentin as it helps in such nerve pains.
Regards.
Muscle relaxants will help.
Detailed Answer:
You can take Vitamin B 12 supplements and muscle relaxants like chlozoxazone or baclofen. Continue taking gabapentin as it helps in such nerve pains.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
