Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Persistent Upper Leg Pain?
Question: A nerve pain in the back of my upper left leg that started about 3 months ago has gotten really painful recently.
Brief Answer:
Get an X ray done
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your query and understand your concerns. It seems that you could be having lumbar spondylosis. I would insist you to get an X Ray of lumbosacral spine (AP and lateral) done and to share the report with me. Based on the reports you might need to see a physical therapist who would be able to demonstrate to you the right exercises that would help you. If that does not help, the next step would be vertebral traction. Surgery is needed only in extreme cases.
Hot compress could provide relief. Paracetamol or acetaminophen should help.
Regards
Get an X ray done
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your query and understand your concerns. It seems that you could be having lumbar spondylosis. I would insist you to get an X Ray of lumbosacral spine (AP and lateral) done and to share the report with me. Based on the reports you might need to see a physical therapist who would be able to demonstrate to you the right exercises that would help you. If that does not help, the next step would be vertebral traction. Surgery is needed only in extreme cases.
Hot compress could provide relief. Paracetamol or acetaminophen should help.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply.
My research on WebMD also suggests a Lumbar Herniated Disc.
So far, I'm not having any muscle spasms, but sometimes the pain will cause some numbness and extend downward to my lower leg.
Standing and walking is the most pain-free. Sitting with the back support is relatively pain-free.
Laying down and getting out of bed is painful. Getting in/out of a car is painful.
Q1: Is this self-treatable? Doing the right exercises, maintain the correct postures, etc. Or, do I need to get examined? The pain has been quite intense for about a week after 3 months of relatively slight pain where I would still do my normal jogging, swimming, and sports.
I am currently living in China, and I try to avoid going to local doctors.
I will travel to the US from Dec 9 - 29th. What type of doctor or physical therapist should I visit?
Thanks,
XXXX
My research on WebMD also suggests a Lumbar Herniated Disc.
So far, I'm not having any muscle spasms, but sometimes the pain will cause some numbness and extend downward to my lower leg.
Standing and walking is the most pain-free. Sitting with the back support is relatively pain-free.
Laying down and getting out of bed is painful. Getting in/out of a car is painful.
Q1: Is this self-treatable? Doing the right exercises, maintain the correct postures, etc. Or, do I need to get examined? The pain has been quite intense for about a week after 3 months of relatively slight pain where I would still do my normal jogging, swimming, and sports.
I am currently living in China, and I try to avoid going to local doctors.
I will travel to the US from Dec 9 - 29th. What type of doctor or physical therapist should I visit?
Thanks,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Get an X ray done
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Unfortunately, internet research does not give you all the possibilities along with their relative probabilities. I would insist you to undergo the suggested X ray and to take a step by step rather than jumping to a diagnosis outright.
The condition is definitely self treatable. You can apply hot compress yourself. You yourself will have to do the exercises (however you would have to learn the techniques first). A google search for the techniques will be a poor alternative but would be somehow ok if you lack the resources. But before all that I would insist you to get the X ray done and to upload the reports thereafter. However, if the self-help techniques do not help, the subsequent steps like vertebral traction and neurosurgery cannot be self-administered.
Regards
Get an X ray done
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Unfortunately, internet research does not give you all the possibilities along with their relative probabilities. I would insist you to undergo the suggested X ray and to take a step by step rather than jumping to a diagnosis outright.
The condition is definitely self treatable. You can apply hot compress yourself. You yourself will have to do the exercises (however you would have to learn the techniques first). A google search for the techniques will be a poor alternative but would be somehow ok if you lack the resources. But before all that I would insist you to get the X ray done and to upload the reports thereafter. However, if the self-help techniques do not help, the subsequent steps like vertebral traction and neurosurgery cannot be self-administered.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The slight pain in my leg began 3 months ago after playing tennis during which I had a fall. At the time, I didn't notice anything major and kept playing. Afterwards, I started to notice the slight pain. At that time, I could stretch thru the minor pain and keep exercising.
Q: Would you advise for or against massage?
Q: If I use heating pads, should I apply to the pain area in the leg, or the spine area?
Q: What is your opinion about the 3M FUTURO Stabilizing Back Support? When I first starting using it, the pain seemed to lessen during the first couple of days, but the actions that cause pain (laying down, getting in a car, putting on shoes/socks) seem to have worsen the pain recently.
Q: Do you recommend against normal exercising (jogging, swimming)?
The activity limiting pain started about 10 days ago. It is activity limiting, but it has not gotten any better or worse. Moving around and standing instead of sitting helps.
I want to try to survive until I return to the US on Dec 9 before seeing a doctor/specialist for MRI.
Thanks,
XXXX
Q: Would you advise for or against massage?
Q: If I use heating pads, should I apply to the pain area in the leg, or the spine area?
Q: What is your opinion about the 3M FUTURO Stabilizing Back Support? When I first starting using it, the pain seemed to lessen during the first couple of days, but the actions that cause pain (laying down, getting in a car, putting on shoes/socks) seem to have worsen the pain recently.
Q: Do you recommend against normal exercising (jogging, swimming)?
The activity limiting pain started about 10 days ago. It is activity limiting, but it has not gotten any better or worse. Moving around and standing instead of sitting helps.
I want to try to survive until I return to the US on Dec 9 before seeing a doctor/specialist for MRI.
Thanks,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Questions answered sequentially
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
* Massage if done using the right technique, would help you. In that case there is no need to stop it.
* Heat is to be applied for local relief. It is to be applied over the affected areas primarily. However, you may also feel comfortable if you apply the heat over the spine area. It will help in easing the muscles there.
* Can be used. No specific suggestions.
* Continue normal exercises so long as it does not cause discomfort.
Surviving a month should not be a big deal.
Regards
Questions answered sequentially
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
* Massage if done using the right technique, would help you. In that case there is no need to stop it.
* Heat is to be applied for local relief. It is to be applied over the affected areas primarily. However, you may also feel comfortable if you apply the heat over the spine area. It will help in easing the muscles there.
* Can be used. No specific suggestions.
* Continue normal exercises so long as it does not cause discomfort.
Surviving a month should not be a big deal.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
After 10 days of more serious pain (following 3 months of minor pain), I know the exact activities that cause the most pain.
Getting out of bed in the morning by far causes the most excruciating pain. I can barely stand without assistance. After walking around for about 5 minutes, the pain normalizes and eventually subsides.
Next is getting in/out of a vehicle, followed by putting on shoes/socks.
Q: Regarding sleep, can you suggest any pre-sleep routine, sleeping posture, sleeping aid, and/or self-administered therapy?
Q: Am I correct to assume that any activity that causes pain is also preventing my injury from healing?
I will return to the US on Dec 9. I plan to get a MRI as you suggested.
Q: Can you refer a specialist/physician in my area code 92637 (Laguna Woods, CA)?
Getting out of bed in the morning by far causes the most excruciating pain. I can barely stand without assistance. After walking around for about 5 minutes, the pain normalizes and eventually subsides.
Next is getting in/out of a vehicle, followed by putting on shoes/socks.
Q: Regarding sleep, can you suggest any pre-sleep routine, sleeping posture, sleeping aid, and/or self-administered therapy?
Q: Am I correct to assume that any activity that causes pain is also preventing my injury from healing?
I will return to the US on Dec 9. I plan to get a MRI as you suggested.
Q: Can you refer a specialist/physician in my area code 92637 (Laguna Woods, CA)?
Brief Answer:
Questions answered in sequence
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for the inadvertent delay in replying.
1. There is no specific sleep posture to suggest. Avoid stimulants like coffee before bed. After you go to bed breathe slowly. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds and then exhale over 8 seconds. Continue this and you would soon fall asleep.
2. A vicious cycle of pain and inflammation occurs, thus aggravating the problem. Hence it interferes with healing.
3. You may get in touch with the following centers after you get back to US.
Spinal Pain Specialists
24953 Paseo De Valencia #3A, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, USA
Tel: +1 949-855-7560
South County Orthopedic Specialists
24331 El Toro Road, Suite 200 Laguna Woods, CA 92637
Tel: (949) 586-3200
I cannot however write the referral for you.
Regards
Questions answered in sequence
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for the inadvertent delay in replying.
1. There is no specific sleep posture to suggest. Avoid stimulants like coffee before bed. After you go to bed breathe slowly. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds and then exhale over 8 seconds. Continue this and you would soon fall asleep.
2. A vicious cycle of pain and inflammation occurs, thus aggravating the problem. Hence it interferes with healing.
3. You may get in touch with the following centers after you get back to US.
Spinal Pain Specialists
24953 Paseo De Valencia #3A, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, USA
Tel: +1 949-855-7560
South County Orthopedic Specialists
24331 El Toro Road, Suite 200 Laguna Woods, CA 92637
Tel: (949) 586-3200
I cannot however write the referral for you.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
