Back pain, Sciatica, Foot Drop, Pins & Needles, I'm goosed.
Discussion
Help, a month or so ago I felt a slight twang in the small of my back, nothing terribly painful at the time.
Since then I have had all sorts of grief, got blue lighted to hospital one day when I collapsed screaming with the worst pain I've ever experienced from deep in my left hip/leg.
That then developed into foot drop where my left foot is basically non responsive, I can`t lift my toes so when I walk it just flops forward and slaps down on it's own. It is also just a permanent knot of pins & needles and feels like it is on fire. I can't sleep as every now and again I get a stab of pain in the top of my foot which wakes me up.
Osteopath says don't do anything, just rest. Physio says keep active.
Fair to say it's doing my f
king head in, am booked in for an MRI scan this week.
Doc reckons something is going on in my lower back.
Anyone had experience of this and what to expect?
Since then I have had all sorts of grief, got blue lighted to hospital one day when I collapsed screaming with the worst pain I've ever experienced from deep in my left hip/leg.
That then developed into foot drop where my left foot is basically non responsive, I can`t lift my toes so when I walk it just flops forward and slaps down on it's own. It is also just a permanent knot of pins & needles and feels like it is on fire. I can't sleep as every now and again I get a stab of pain in the top of my foot which wakes me up.
Osteopath says don't do anything, just rest. Physio says keep active.
Fair to say it's doing my f
king head in, am booked in for an MRI scan this week. Doc reckons something is going on in my lower back.
Anyone had experience of this and what to expect?
Trapped nerve was mine. . . it's a real guessing game mate and wish you all the luck but what I can say is try everything anyone sensible suggests and make a diary of all/any small differences in pain/gain. . . there are plenty well written books out there and self help is the best/fastest/cost effective answer by a country mile
Hammer67 said:
Thanks chaps. If it is a trapped nerve or disc problem what sort of treatment can I expect? Ta.
Hard to diagnose over t'internet but generally if you're between 18-50 or so, disc bulge/prolapse is likely. Look into the McKenzie protocol and see if that helps. Typically lumbar extension should ease leg symptoms, but may cause a little low back pain.There are many factors to check whether it's a disc bulge, and a good history, physical exam and, if appropriate, imaging. If it's a disc generally (not always) it will be bad after periods of inactivity, so generally moving (but not too much!) should be better. Coughing/sneezing can be painful. Lumbar flexion often bad (how is it putting on your socks in the mornings?). So much to ask/talk about but over the internet is not ideal. If you have any bowel or bladder changes, get yourself to hospital again.
If you'd like to discuss further send me a PM.
Ross (chiropractor).
Hi Hammer, although i am not as severe are you are, i had similar symptoms back in 2004 after a rugby tackle. Something clicked in my lower back. Diagnosed with sciatica but never MRI scanned.
Heavy cardio held back my symptoms until...
Got into real trouble about a month ago and was in agony after a night on a soft mattress. Pain, pins and needles again, couldn’t get into the bath.
Went to see a specialist last week at Prior bham, got an MRI done last week in Solihull. Going back on Wednesday for the news and treatment plan, will let you know how i get on.
My best mate had a diagnosis done and his treatment plan was non surgery based but his disc in lower back was screwed.
Heavy cardio held back my symptoms until...
Got into real trouble about a month ago and was in agony after a night on a soft mattress. Pain, pins and needles again, couldn’t get into the bath.
Went to see a specialist last week at Prior bham, got an MRI done last week in Solihull. Going back on Wednesday for the news and treatment plan, will let you know how i get on.
My best mate had a diagnosis done and his treatment plan was non surgery based but his disc in lower back was screwed.
Thanks chaps, gives me some pointers and things to investigate.
In response, nothing either the Osteo or Physio has done has had any effect.
Painkillers don't touch it.
The exercises the Physio told me to try haven't made any difference. Putting socks on has to be done sitting down as if I try and stand one legged on my left leg I can't balance on it and keel over.
Will just have to hope the MRI scan finds the problem.
In response, nothing either the Osteo or Physio has done has had any effect.
Painkillers don't touch it.
The exercises the Physio told me to try haven't made any difference. Putting socks on has to be done sitting down as if I try and stand one legged on my left leg I can't balance on it and keel over.
Will just have to hope the MRI scan finds the problem.
Hammer67 said:
The exercises the Physio told me to try haven't made any difference. Putting socks on has to be done sitting down as if I try and stand one legged on my left leg I can't balance on it and keel over.
Will just have to hope the MRI scan finds the problem.
Your symptoms are pretty classic for a disc issue, a good physical exam, case history and your symptoms can diagnose a disc issue with almost 100% certainty, including the level at which the problem is. An MRI won't tell a good physician any more information, providing they've done all the necessary steps for a decent diagnosis. In which case, from a treatment perspective, generally speaking, having an MRI does f*ck all, aside from confirm what one already should know, in most cases (by no means all).Will just have to hope the MRI scan finds the problem.
I had two undiagnosed compressed discs for years (I know the cause - lifting a baby seat from the car complete with occupant and twisting). After 18 years of suffering extreme pain, numbness in the left leg and pins and needles, as you describe, it got so bad I thought I'd end up in a wheelchair.
NHS useless, no MRI, no proper diagnosis. I used chiropractors, bone setters, acupuncture and some nutty tantric meditation ste all to no avail.
I was on 8 Tramadol's a day to keep the pain at bay and to keep working.
When it got so bad at the end my wife insisted I get something done, luckily a friend suggested Dr Hoogland in Germany (google him). The MRI showed the exact location of the issue (L1 and L2 compressed and touching the spinal nerve intermittently). Hoogland was shocked at the amount of pain killer I was using and recommended immediate surgery. It cost a fortune but was worth every cent.
Special anaesthetic used to minimise the pain, keyhole surgery to trim the protruding cartilage and a stem cell scaffold to repair. Brilliant 11 years later I'm still OK and never even think about not doing anything any person with a healthy back would do.
So my advice - get an MRI now and a proper diagnosis. Don't prat around with alternative medicines and don't take 'you need rest' as an answer to your issues. If you don't it will just get worse until you are immobile.
NHS useless, no MRI, no proper diagnosis. I used chiropractors, bone setters, acupuncture and some nutty tantric meditation s
te all to no avail. I was on 8 Tramadol's a day to keep the pain at bay and to keep working.
When it got so bad at the end my wife insisted I get something done, luckily a friend suggested Dr Hoogland in Germany (google him). The MRI showed the exact location of the issue (L1 and L2 compressed and touching the spinal nerve intermittently). Hoogland was shocked at the amount of pain killer I was using and recommended immediate surgery. It cost a fortune but was worth every cent.
Special anaesthetic used to minimise the pain, keyhole surgery to trim the protruding cartilage and a stem cell scaffold to repair. Brilliant 11 years later I'm still OK and never even think about not doing anything any person with a healthy back would do.
So my advice - get an MRI now and a proper diagnosis. Don't prat around with alternative medicines and don't take 'you need rest' as an answer to your issues. If you don't it will just get worse until you are immobile.
Had it so bad once I had to crawl on my hands and knees across the services car park on the M5 to the hotel. Looked like my wife was taking me for a walk like a dog. When it ‘bit’ I had to put something, can’t remember what I had to hand, in between my teeth as it felt like they were going to crack.
Long, slow recovery but no surgery. 20 years later it’s still an occasional issue but I do a lot of lower back exercises and never lift without a warm up. Now 2nd Dan black belt so there is hope. Good luck with the recovery.
Long, slow recovery but no surgery. 20 years later it’s still an occasional issue but I do a lot of lower back exercises and never lift without a warm up. Now 2nd Dan black belt so there is hope. Good luck with the recovery.
I'm the same, tho not quite the same pain as most describe here.
I had the ambulance out for me once, its a hell of a lot worse if I'm also sick, to the point where I get anxiety about getting ill because of the additional Sciatic / back pain it brings on.
It's like my left leg and foot had been pumped full of burning concrete. I walk with a slight limp a lot of the time, probably because of the sciatic nerve.
NHS bloody useless, pain killers don't touch it, so I don't often bother with them. Will keep an eye on this thread for inspiration on doing something about it properly... It's only getting worse as I get older. Been suffering for about 20 years now.
I had the ambulance out for me once, its a hell of a lot worse if I'm also sick, to the point where I get anxiety about getting ill because of the additional Sciatic / back pain it brings on.
It's like my left leg and foot had been pumped full of burning concrete. I walk with a slight limp a lot of the time, probably because of the sciatic nerve.
NHS bloody useless, pain killers don't touch it, so I don't often bother with them. Will keep an eye on this thread for inspiration on doing something about it properly... It's only getting worse as I get older. Been suffering for about 20 years now.
Foot drop is pretty serious.
I would get an MRI immediately as that is the only way to get a conclusive diagnosis - anything else involves a degree of speculation.
Don’t downplay the potential seriousness of a damaged lumbar disc. My sciatica and neuropathic pain (no foot drop) rapidly deteriorated into cauda equina syndrome with life changing repercussions. I wish I had been more vigilant about demanding MRI and more thorough investigation back when a comparatively trivial discectomy would have saved my future quality of life.
I would get an MRI immediately as that is the only way to get a conclusive diagnosis - anything else involves a degree of speculation.
Don’t downplay the potential seriousness of a damaged lumbar disc. My sciatica and neuropathic pain (no foot drop) rapidly deteriorated into cauda equina syndrome with life changing repercussions. I wish I had been more vigilant about demanding MRI and more thorough investigation back when a comparatively trivial discectomy would have saved my future quality of life.
I had very similar symptoms about 8 years ago. Turned out to be spinal stenosis where some of the vertebrae were out of alignment and trapping the nerves between the bones.
Many operations later I now have some titanium bits in my back, supported by a bone graft.
Given how suddenly your symptoms started it is more likely your problem is a disc issue which I understand is usually a bit easier to treat. I doubt it is anything more serious.
Many operations later I now have some titanium bits in my back, supported by a bone graft.
Given how suddenly your symptoms started it is more likely your problem is a disc issue which I understand is usually a bit easier to treat. I doubt it is anything more serious.
MRI scan done today in Canterbury.
3-4 weeks to get results. Great.
Foot still the same useless tingling lump hanging off the end of my leg.
Supposed to be going to LM24, not sure I can face that, walking 100 yards is fking painful, let alone traipsing around the French countryside for 4 days. FMOB.
3-4 weeks to get results. Great.
Foot still the same useless tingling lump hanging off the end of my leg.
Supposed to be going to LM24, not sure I can face that, walking 100 yards is f
king painful, let alone traipsing around the French countryside for 4 days. FMOB. Good luck! I'm at LM so if I see someone hobbling around Airtrack I'll wonder if its you 
My MRI under private treatment was shown to me with the diagnosis the same day (I was given copies as well on CD) - treatment the following day.
However I didn't feel well until about 2 weeks after the treatment, so maybe its a good thing and you can go to LM and take lots of alcohol as pain relief.....
My MRI under private treatment was shown to me with the diagnosis the same day (I was given copies as well on CD) - treatment the following day.
However I didn't feel well until about 2 weeks after the treatment, so maybe its a good thing and you can go to LM and take lots of alcohol as pain relief.....
Sounds similar to me. I have had left foot drop twice. One of my lower discs prolapsed in 2007 (sorry, can't call the number but L5 or L6 rings a bell). No treatment would help so I had a microdiscectomy a few months later.
I didn't suffer foot drop before the microdiscectomy but after the operation it was floppier than a floppy thing. After 18 months I had about 80% of movement back so I was happy and I could live my life as normal.
Then in 2017 I suffered another prolapse from the same disc and the one below wasn't looking good either. After the MRI scan but before the consultant offered me the operation, he warned me that I may not have the same movement as before as the nerve will struggle to recover from two injuries. The foot dropped again in my sleep and I woke up to the same scenario. I had two more microdiscectomies in one operation two years ago. One on the same disc which damaged the nerve and the one showing signs of potential grief.
The consultant was correct to warn me. The foot has recovered slightly but now I only have 15-20% movement in my left foot. I can't scrunch' my left toes. I can't run easily but I can walk OK.
However, given the worst pain I have ever experienced for a prolonged period of time (months), I would still have the operation again knowing what I know now.
It's a nightmare. I've been pain-free for two years and I walk slightly oddly (think Inspector Morse) but I'll take it any time over the pain
I didn't suffer foot drop before the microdiscectomy but after the operation it was floppier than a floppy thing. After 18 months I had about 80% of movement back so I was happy and I could live my life as normal.
Then in 2017 I suffered another prolapse from the same disc and the one below wasn't looking good either. After the MRI scan but before the consultant offered me the operation, he warned me that I may not have the same movement as before as the nerve will struggle to recover from two injuries. The foot dropped again in my sleep and I woke up to the same scenario. I had two more microdiscectomies in one operation two years ago. One on the same disc which damaged the nerve and the one showing signs of potential grief.
The consultant was correct to warn me. The foot has recovered slightly but now I only have 15-20% movement in my left foot. I can't scrunch' my left toes. I can't run easily but I can walk OK.
However, given the worst pain I have ever experienced for a prolonged period of time (months), I would still have the operation again knowing what I know now.
It's a nightmare. I've been pain-free for two years and I walk slightly oddly (think Inspector Morse) but I'll take it any time over the pain
Hmm, I have sciatica (I think, starts around the tailbone, radiates down both legs) at the moment, just discomfort rather than screaming agony, though it's continual. It definitely stiffens up when I'm still for a while, and eases with movement, so I'm trying to keep active.
Sounds like I may need to see a doctor. :/
Sounds like I may need to see a doctor. :/
Had a friend who suffered from foot drop, turned out he has CMT, the NHS didn't pick up on it as he was middle aged when it showed up, basically it was his wife Googling away that figured it out and had it confirmed by the medical professionals afterwards.
It's worth mentioning as you don't want even if it's just to rule it out
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/charcot-marie-tooth-...
It's worth mentioning as you don't want even if it's just to rule it out
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/charcot-marie-tooth-...
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