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What Causes Radiating Pain In The Leg?

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Posted on Mon, 19 Dec 2016
Question: Early on the morning of Nov. the 22nd I felt what felt like a pop in my thigh and it didn't hurt at the time but throughout the day it got worse. I went to the emergency room on the evening of the 22nd and that's not my favorite place so I was definitely scared if I went. Basically, they rushed me back to lay there a while and then they did a USV Deep Vein Throb Right. There were scared that I might have a blood clot as was I, but it came back clear.

They sent me home with a scrip for Flexeril and a diagnosis of "leg pain". No joke! Sorry about being sarcastic but it was a zoo. I've been really busy lately and I've definitely not done anything to pull a muscle.

If I'm up moving around my leg is hurting and I don't sit very well, so it's hurting pretty bad now. It so very strange unlight anything I've ever had. It's numb to the touch, but hurts. If I cough or sneeze it's like little shock waves shooting through my thigh.

It's getting worse not better and I'm not sure what to do at this point.

Thank you so much!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It's nerve compression at hip ( sciatica )

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for the query under health care magic . I have read it . I am sorry for your sufferings & understand your concern.
The total description of the pain points to nerve pain.( it's being sudden, with paining all the while, being numb& shooting up like a shock with slightest of jerking movement like sneezing.)
It seems you had some awkward position of leg or thigh in sleep/ while getting up suddenly from bed-which caused pinching/pressing of femoral nerve while it passes through pelvic bone( sciatic notch ). This can happen in form of muscle cramp ( pyriformis muscle )/ hip joint bone itself pressing on it.
You need consultation of orthopedic surgeon & necessary investigations like MRI/ CT scan to pin point the cause followed by needful specific treatment.( anti inflammatory drugs orally or injection/ steroids/ physiotherapy once the pain is controlled).
Till you can meet him,you should take complete rest/ avoiding pressure on the leg.Hot or cold pack/ light application of muscle relaxant will relieve to some extent. Over the counter pill of NSAID like Ibuprofen 400 mg can be taken after food.
I hope the answer has been informative & useful to you. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Vasudha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1970

Answered : 10398 Questions

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What Causes Radiating Pain In The Leg?

Brief Answer: It's nerve compression at hip ( sciatica ) Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for the query under health care magic . I have read it . I am sorry for your sufferings & understand your concern. The total description of the pain points to nerve pain.( it's being sudden, with paining all the while, being numb& shooting up like a shock with slightest of jerking movement like sneezing.) It seems you had some awkward position of leg or thigh in sleep/ while getting up suddenly from bed-which caused pinching/pressing of femoral nerve while it passes through pelvic bone( sciatic notch ). This can happen in form of muscle cramp ( pyriformis muscle )/ hip joint bone itself pressing on it. You need consultation of orthopedic surgeon & necessary investigations like MRI/ CT scan to pin point the cause followed by needful specific treatment.( anti inflammatory drugs orally or injection/ steroids/ physiotherapy once the pain is controlled). Till you can meet him,you should take complete rest/ avoiding pressure on the leg.Hot or cold pack/ light application of muscle relaxant will relieve to some extent. Over the counter pill of NSAID like Ibuprofen 400 mg can be taken after food. I hope the answer has been informative & useful to you. Any follow up query is welcome. Thanks.