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Leg Pain, Joint Pain, Lower Back Pain, Swelling, Ulcerative Colitis. Done MRI, CT Scan, Blood Work. Had Gallbladder Removed. Suggestion?
Hello, I am a 40 year old female who developed severe pain in the legs about 1 year ago . The pain is at its worst in the morning upon awakening and brings me to tears. It seems to improve during the day. When I lay down in bed at night or sit in the car for too long, the pain comes back. I would describe the sensation as a dull aching pain that is difficult to point to. It does not radiate but instead covers a large area (starting from lower back to toes). My toes feel as thought they have been crushed by a car. I don't have any joint pain, swelling, or redness anywhere and I do not feel any additional pain when my leg is touched or squeezed. What are some potential causes of this type of pain. I have had an MRI, CT scan and blood work which were all unremarkable. I did recently have my gall bladder removed about a week ago. I also suffer from ulcerative colitis which only flares up once every 2 years.
Wed, 9 Oct 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Pain originating in the lower back and going down into the leg is typically suggestive of a Lumbar disc disease protrusion causing a compression over the nerve roots.
The initial mode of management is conservative by following measures -
* Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back
* Avoid forward bending activities as it will worsen the disc protrusion
* Use a lumbosacral back support to augment your spinal muscles
* Intermittent pelvic traction may help to cause a regression of disc
* Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
* Physiotherapy to strengthen your back muscles. Physiotherapy has to be done only after the acute pain has subsided.
* Use analgesics and muscle relaxants as needed.
If your symptoms are not resolving with the above measures, an Epidural steroid injection may provide good symptomatic relief.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
Pain originating in the lower back and going down into the leg is typically suggestive of a Lumbar disc disease protrusion causing a compression over the nerve roots.
The initial mode of management is conservative by following measures -
* Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back
* Avoid forward bending activities as it will worsen the disc protrusion
* Use a lumbosacral back support to augment your spinal muscles
* Intermittent pelvic traction may help to cause a regression of disc
* Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
* Physiotherapy to strengthen your back muscles. Physiotherapy has to be done only after the acute pain has subsided.
* Use analgesics and muscle relaxants as needed.
If your symptoms are not resolving with the above measures, an Epidural steroid injection may provide good symptomatic relief.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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