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Does Lumbar Stenosis Cause Nerve Pain And Numbness On Thighs?
Question: I have had nerve pain and numbness on the outer and front of my left thigh for a long time now - over a year. It is becoming more severe over time. Are there any stretches or exercises that anyone can recommend ? Do you think this is related to a lumbar stenosis?
Brief Answer:
Possible irritation of lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh at its root
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
The outer side of the thigh is supplied by lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh. This nerve has origins in the lower back and courses along and supplies the skin in the area on the outer thigh.
It looks like there is pain and numbness originating due to pressure over the nerve roots at the origin of the lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh or some where along the course of the nerve. If present, this condition is called lateral cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome or Meralgia paresthetica.
This could be due to pressure on the nerve roots in the lumbar part of spinal canal due to lumbar stenosis. This will be clearly seen on your MRI scan.
It is important to know the findings of an earlier MRI scan of the lower back and correlate the findings following clinical examination by a neurologist and confirm the diagnosis.
If present, this condition can be treated by taking rest, weight loss, muscle relaxants, physical stretching exercises for mild symptoms. Severe symptoms are treated by pain relievers, steroid injections and depending on the compression of nerve roots, decompression methods like surgery might help.
Regarding exercises, it is best done under supervision of a physical therapist after confirmation of your diagnosis. Techniques like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are also used for quicker relief.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Possible irritation of lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh at its root
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
The outer side of the thigh is supplied by lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh. This nerve has origins in the lower back and courses along and supplies the skin in the area on the outer thigh.
It looks like there is pain and numbness originating due to pressure over the nerve roots at the origin of the lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh or some where along the course of the nerve. If present, this condition is called lateral cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome or Meralgia paresthetica.
This could be due to pressure on the nerve roots in the lumbar part of spinal canal due to lumbar stenosis. This will be clearly seen on your MRI scan.
It is important to know the findings of an earlier MRI scan of the lower back and correlate the findings following clinical examination by a neurologist and confirm the diagnosis.
If present, this condition can be treated by taking rest, weight loss, muscle relaxants, physical stretching exercises for mild symptoms. Severe symptoms are treated by pain relievers, steroid injections and depending on the compression of nerve roots, decompression methods like surgery might help.
Regarding exercises, it is best done under supervision of a physical therapist after confirmation of your diagnosis. Techniques like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are also used for quicker relief.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Chail,
I just received your response to my question and I thank you for the information. I am in agreement with your thoughts on my condition. I do have nerve compression in other parts of my body, such as a Left arm unlar compressions, that came on rather spontaneously . I have some bulging discs in my neck C3- C7 that are causing a Right arm radiculopathy. And this also causes a 4+ edema of my right thumb index finger and middle finger and the section of the hand and knuckles above these fingers. The swelling is so bad and painful that I am unable to use that hand. This only happens six or seven times a month and will last about three to four days. An arthritis glove seems to help. The other days of the month I can use the hand. I do have nerve pain on and off in my lower legs and feet but it is manageable most of the time. I also have chronic daily migraine and have since I was 15.
I am a diabetic on insulin - NPH and Lispro. It is pretty well controlled. My last a1c was 7.2 I am sure my next will be lower as I have been very strict on my diet, been doing the exercise I can and losing weight steadily.
My questions are - do you think my nerve problems are all related? Do you think that they are related to my diabetes? Do you think there is a way to stop the symptoms and improve my function? Do you think my headaches are related to these nerve problems? And lastly I am open to any suggestions for exercise or stretching and supplement you may have. I have been very frustrated by all of this for years. Thank you so much for your time and help.
XXXXXXX XXXX
I just received your response to my question and I thank you for the information. I am in agreement with your thoughts on my condition. I do have nerve compression in other parts of my body, such as a Left arm unlar compressions, that came on rather spontaneously . I have some bulging discs in my neck C3- C7 that are causing a Right arm radiculopathy. And this also causes a 4+ edema of my right thumb index finger and middle finger and the section of the hand and knuckles above these fingers. The swelling is so bad and painful that I am unable to use that hand. This only happens six or seven times a month and will last about three to four days. An arthritis glove seems to help. The other days of the month I can use the hand. I do have nerve pain on and off in my lower legs and feet but it is manageable most of the time. I also have chronic daily migraine and have since I was 15.
I am a diabetic on insulin - NPH and Lispro. It is pretty well controlled. My last a1c was 7.2 I am sure my next will be lower as I have been very strict on my diet, been doing the exercise I can and losing weight steadily.
My questions are - do you think my nerve problems are all related? Do you think that they are related to my diabetes? Do you think there is a way to stop the symptoms and improve my function? Do you think my headaches are related to these nerve problems? And lastly I am open to any suggestions for exercise or stretching and supplement you may have. I have been very frustrated by all of this for years. Thank you so much for your time and help.
XXXXXXX XXXX
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Please find my observations below
1. Do you think my nerve problems are all related?
The symptoms in your arm, hand and fingers are related to disc bulges in cervical spine. The lower back and thigh symptoms are related to the lumbar spine. Diabetes can also cause nerve related symptoms as below.
2. Do you think that they are related to my diabetes?
Diabetes itself causes diabetic neuropathy and this can affect one or more regions any where in your body. Patients with diabetes who take metformin to reduce blood glucose also have Vitamin B12 deficiency and this also causes nerve related symptoms. If you are taking insulin then this will not happen. Vitamin B 12 deficiency can also happen in those who do not consume sufficient amounts in their diet.
3. Do you think there is a way to stop the symptoms and improve my function?
If it is due to deficiency then it can be corrected by having a well balanced nutritious diet. Any symptoms due to diabetic neuropathy require medications to protect the nerves. Symptoms due to disc bulges can also be controlled with medications if mild and surgically if significant.
4. Do you think my headaches are related to these nerve problems?
Headaches can also be due to many reasons. Certain headaches can be caused due to diabetes.
5. And lastly I am open to any suggestions for exercise or stretching and supplement you may have.
Diet supplements need attention and I suggest you have a well balanced diabetic diet as recommended and eat adequate amounts as per your calorie requirements without any fear or weight problems. Stretches will help only if you have mild disc bulges in the cervical or lumbar spine.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Please find my observations below
1. Do you think my nerve problems are all related?
The symptoms in your arm, hand and fingers are related to disc bulges in cervical spine. The lower back and thigh symptoms are related to the lumbar spine. Diabetes can also cause nerve related symptoms as below.
2. Do you think that they are related to my diabetes?
Diabetes itself causes diabetic neuropathy and this can affect one or more regions any where in your body. Patients with diabetes who take metformin to reduce blood glucose also have Vitamin B12 deficiency and this also causes nerve related symptoms. If you are taking insulin then this will not happen. Vitamin B 12 deficiency can also happen in those who do not consume sufficient amounts in their diet.
3. Do you think there is a way to stop the symptoms and improve my function?
If it is due to deficiency then it can be corrected by having a well balanced nutritious diet. Any symptoms due to diabetic neuropathy require medications to protect the nerves. Symptoms due to disc bulges can also be controlled with medications if mild and surgically if significant.
4. Do you think my headaches are related to these nerve problems?
Headaches can also be due to many reasons. Certain headaches can be caused due to diabetes.
5. And lastly I am open to any suggestions for exercise or stretching and supplement you may have.
Diet supplements need attention and I suggest you have a well balanced diabetic diet as recommended and eat adequate amounts as per your calorie requirements without any fear or weight problems. Stretches will help only if you have mild disc bulges in the cervical or lumbar spine.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Chail,
Thank you for your response. I have one last question please. In point number 3 of your reply what medicines protect nerves from diabetic neuropathy and/or disc problems?
Thank you again, XXXXXXX XXXX
Thank you for your response. I have one last question please. In point number 3 of your reply what medicines protect nerves from diabetic neuropathy and/or disc problems?
Thank you again, XXXXXXX XXXX
Brief Answer:
Please find medication details of diabetic neuropathy below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Please find my observations below.
1. There are medications to slow down the process of damage to nerves in diabetics. This includes Vitamin B 12 as methylcobalamin and Alpha-lipoic acid.
2. Then we have the medications that treat pain due to diabetic neuropathy. This includes medications to relieve disc pain also
(i) Anti-seizure medications (drugs such as gabapentin, pregabalin and carbamazepine)
(ii) Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressant medications, such as amitriptyline, desipramine and imipramine, may provide relief for mild to moderate symptoms
3. Managing other consequences of diabetic neuropathy affecting the function of other organs in diabetic neuropathy. This includes medications for individual conditions arising due to damage of nerve supply causing
(i) Urinary tract problems
(ii) Digestive problems
(iii) Low blood pressure on standing (orthostatic hypotension)
(iv) Sexual dysfunction
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find medication details of diabetic neuropathy below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Please find my observations below.
1. There are medications to slow down the process of damage to nerves in diabetics. This includes Vitamin B 12 as methylcobalamin and Alpha-lipoic acid.
2. Then we have the medications that treat pain due to diabetic neuropathy. This includes medications to relieve disc pain also
(i) Anti-seizure medications (drugs such as gabapentin, pregabalin and carbamazepine)
(ii) Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressant medications, such as amitriptyline, desipramine and imipramine, may provide relief for mild to moderate symptoms
3. Managing other consequences of diabetic neuropathy affecting the function of other organs in diabetic neuropathy. This includes medications for individual conditions arising due to damage of nerve supply causing
(i) Urinary tract problems
(ii) Digestive problems
(iii) Low blood pressure on standing (orthostatic hypotension)
(iv) Sexual dysfunction
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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