
Having Sore Right Knee And Hardly Bend The Leg. Taking Tramadol. Pain In Lower Back And Abdomen. Could I Ask A Doctor?

Could be due to a pinched nerve in Lumbar spine.
Detailed Answer:
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Based on your description, Pain in the lower back and shooting pain along the leg (through the back of knee joint) is highly suggestive of a pinched nerve in the Lumbar spine.
A detailed clinical examination by an orthopedic surgeon and an MRI scan will help in diagnosing the condition.
Isolated pain in the knee joint (pain during getting in & out of car) could be due to Patello-femoral arthritis (wear & tear in the knee cap). Simple Analgesics like Tylenol or Aleve or Motrin will help in reducing the pain and Quadriceps strengthening exercises are necessary to provide extended relief from this condition.
The conservative management of a pinched nerve in the lumbar spine is as follows -
* Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back
* Avoid forward bending activities
* Apply ice to the painful area in the acute phase and then after activities. Ice will help calm the inflammatory response and stimulate blood flow to the area.
* Use a lumbosacral back support to augment your spinal muscles
* Intermittent pelvic traction (which will be done by physiotherapist)
* Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
* Physiotherapy to strengthen your back muscles. Physiotherapy has to be done only after the acute pain has subsided.
* Judicious use of analgesics and muscle relaxants. Neurotropic vitamins like Methylcobalamine (activated Vit B12), Gabapentin or Pregabalin will help in alleviating the neuropathic pain.
Hope I have addressed your query. Happy to help further
Regards

Answered by

Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1996
Answered : 2148 Questions
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