Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Numbness In Thighs In A Sciatica Patient?
Question: Hi Doc
I'm a 67 y/o white male with moderate type II diabetes (AiC in control), hypertension (in control), PTSD and other medical issues. However the instant problem is that since mid March I've had a pain in my back lower left quadrant that my GP diagnosed as sciatic nerve issues. It's been largely just an annoyance since then, under control with NSAIDS. Yesterday going to a doc appointment my back hurt so bad I couldn't walk. My pain level was10/10 scale. I saw another GP who gave me an injection of a NSAID and ordered a back brace so that I could drive home. They advised alternating hot and cold compresses. After applying the hot compress my left thigh was left with a severe burning pain. After the cold compress my left thigh went numb. My thigh has been numb since around 4 pm yesterday. I'm trying to contact my GP, even my neurologist to see if this something I just need to deal with or could it be a problem? Any advise?
I'm a 67 y/o white male with moderate type II diabetes (AiC in control), hypertension (in control), PTSD and other medical issues. However the instant problem is that since mid March I've had a pain in my back lower left quadrant that my GP diagnosed as sciatic nerve issues. It's been largely just an annoyance since then, under control with NSAIDS. Yesterday going to a doc appointment my back hurt so bad I couldn't walk. My pain level was10/10 scale. I saw another GP who gave me an injection of a NSAID and ordered a back brace so that I could drive home. They advised alternating hot and cold compresses. After applying the hot compress my left thigh was left with a severe burning pain. After the cold compress my left thigh went numb. My thigh has been numb since around 4 pm yesterday. I'm trying to contact my GP, even my neurologist to see if this something I just need to deal with or could it be a problem? Any advise?
Brief Answer:
Urgent MRI L-S Spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
I understand your concerns well over here.Thigh getting numb acutely in the setting of sciatica could be due to urgent disc and nerve radicle involvement.I suggest you to get a MRI of lumbosacral spine done,soon.It is mandatory to rule out disc herniation and significant radicle compression.If severe,sometimes even surgery may be needed.
Hope that helps.If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Urgent MRI L-S Spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
I understand your concerns well over here.Thigh getting numb acutely in the setting of sciatica could be due to urgent disc and nerve radicle involvement.I suggest you to get a MRI of lumbosacral spine done,soon.It is mandatory to rule out disc herniation and significant radicle compression.If severe,sometimes even surgery may be needed.
Hope that helps.If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
