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What Causes Severe Leg Pain With Normal X Ray?

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Posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2014
Question: I have had severe leg pain for two days. I've had a doppler and right hip and pelvic xrays/ All were negative.There is no swelling or redness. Rest does not help. I was given Flexeril and hydrocone 10 . Neither of these seem to help at all.Th.e pain is not localized. My thigh will hurt, then my knee and then my shin, not necessarily in that order. The pain reduces me to tears, especially changing positions or trying to put pants on. I can't get into the car especially to drive as I have to put that leg in first. By the time I get in I have to wait to stop crying before I drive. To lie down I have to lift that leg into the bed for minimal pain.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Hip or lumbar spine problem.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Thanks for your question,

The pain you are describing could be coming from your hip or from your lower back.

X-rays may not show all of the problems that could cause pain like this in the hip joint. Did you also have some blood work done? Did they ultrasound your hip joint to see if there was fluid in it? An MRI scan of your hip may be required to see if there are any issues in your hip causing the pain that did not show up on the XR.

Your symptoms could also be consistent with compression of the upper lumbar nerve roots causing pain in the femoral nerve distribution. This would be visible on an MRI scan of your lumbar spine.

I would encourage you to seek further medical attention for further investigation to find a cause for your pain. I am happy to answer your further questions if you have any more information.

Best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (13 hours later)
Lab work was done and I heard them say it was fine. I dob't have any pain in my lower back Right now it's morning and the pain is a 10 with pain med. I worry about osteosarcoma. I have an appointment to see my primary on Tuesdday.. Thank you for your help.I just wish the pain would let up. Continous pain is the piys.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Further imaging required

Detailed Answer:
hi,

thanks for yor follow up question. an osteosarcoma would usually show up on an X-ray.

the fact that your blood work was normal is a little reassuring and makes some diagnosis such as infection less likely.

further imaging of your hip certainly sounds indicated such as an MRI scan, or a bone scan.

best wishes
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Karl Logan

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 705 Questions

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What Causes Severe Leg Pain With Normal X Ray?

Brief Answer: Hip or lumbar spine problem. Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for your question, The pain you are describing could be coming from your hip or from your lower back. X-rays may not show all of the problems that could cause pain like this in the hip joint. Did you also have some blood work done? Did they ultrasound your hip joint to see if there was fluid in it? An MRI scan of your hip may be required to see if there are any issues in your hip causing the pain that did not show up on the XR. Your symptoms could also be consistent with compression of the upper lumbar nerve roots causing pain in the femoral nerve distribution. This would be visible on an MRI scan of your lumbar spine. I would encourage you to seek further medical attention for further investigation to find a cause for your pain. I am happy to answer your further questions if you have any more information. Best wishes