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Hello Doctor, About A Year And A Half Ago, I
Question: Hello Doctor,
About a year and a half ago, I sought medical advice for pain in my spine and left leg. I managed to alleviate the spine pain through posture correction. However, I continued to experience discomfort in my left knee and calf. The pain started after a day of heavy running. Although the reports indicated nothing alarming and suggested it was a muscle pull, the discomfort persists intermittently, especially when my mobility is limited.
Treatments included:
- Calcium tablets
- Physiotherapy exercises
- Application of hot water packs
Attached are the X-ray results from my previous consultation.
About a year and a half ago, I sought medical advice for pain in my spine and left leg. I managed to alleviate the spine pain through posture correction. However, I continued to experience discomfort in my left knee and calf. The pain started after a day of heavy running. Although the reports indicated nothing alarming and suggested it was a muscle pull, the discomfort persists intermittently, especially when my mobility is limited.
Treatments included:
- Calcium tablets
- Physiotherapy exercises
- Application of hot water packs
Attached are the X-ray results from my previous consultation.
Brief Answer:
Answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi there
Thanks for the query
If you have back pain that radiates to your leg or calf during activity then it could mean that a nerve may be pinched in your back. You will need an MRI scan to look for slip disc which can cause pinched nerve.
Your spine X-ray shows straightening of the spine which can be seen in any painful spinal condition including slip disc. Knee X-ray does not show anything obviously pathological other than possible early degenerative changes.
I would suggest getting an MRI lumbar spine to look for slip disc.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up query.
Thanking you.
Kind regards,
Aashish Raghu
Answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi there
Thanks for the query
If you have back pain that radiates to your leg or calf during activity then it could mean that a nerve may be pinched in your back. You will need an MRI scan to look for slip disc which can cause pinched nerve.
Your spine X-ray shows straightening of the spine which can be seen in any painful spinal condition including slip disc. Knee X-ray does not show anything obviously pathological other than possible early degenerative changes.
I would suggest getting an MRI lumbar spine to look for slip disc.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up query.
Thanking you.
Kind regards,
Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank You Doctor !
Please see the enclosed MRI scan report along with film images.
Please see the enclosed MRI scan report along with film images.
Brief Answer:
Disc bulge
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for getting the MRI scan and uploading the report and images. It appears that you have a mild disc bulge that’s causing minimal compression/irritation of the nerves to your legs.
As per your symptoms you have pain down the left leg. Do you have any pain in front of the left hip? In the left groin region? Or is the pain going from the lower back to the buttock and down the left leg and calf?
If you have pain in the left groin then best to also get X-ray of your left hip took for early arthritis. If no pain in front of your left hip/groin then the pain in the leg could be due to the disc bulge causing irritation to the nerve going to your left leg.
This is a very early disc problem so it can me successfully managed without surgery at this stage. Treatment options involve avoiding bending forwards or lifting weights/heavy objects, performing physiotherapy to strengthen your core back muscles, improving posture especially in the workplace and following ergonomic precautions. If this does not help you can get epidural nerve root injections in the back by Pain Specialist which will give good relief in most cases.
Do let me know the answers to the questions and your thoughts.
Thanks,
Aashish Raghu
Disc bulge
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for getting the MRI scan and uploading the report and images. It appears that you have a mild disc bulge that’s causing minimal compression/irritation of the nerves to your legs.
As per your symptoms you have pain down the left leg. Do you have any pain in front of the left hip? In the left groin region? Or is the pain going from the lower back to the buttock and down the left leg and calf?
If you have pain in the left groin then best to also get X-ray of your left hip took for early arthritis. If no pain in front of your left hip/groin then the pain in the leg could be due to the disc bulge causing irritation to the nerve going to your left leg.
This is a very early disc problem so it can me successfully managed without surgery at this stage. Treatment options involve avoiding bending forwards or lifting weights/heavy objects, performing physiotherapy to strengthen your core back muscles, improving posture especially in the workplace and following ergonomic precautions. If this does not help you can get epidural nerve root injections in the back by Pain Specialist which will give good relief in most cases.
Do let me know the answers to the questions and your thoughts.
Thanks,
Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. LAKSHMI
Thank you for your response, doctor.
I don't experience pain in any other parts of my body besides my knee and calf. However, if I sit for more than 20 minutes, I feel slight numbness in both legs.
I will focus on improving my posture and strengthening my back muscles.
I have some concerns about my daily activities. Could you please advise if it's safe for me to continue my routine?
1. My activities include regular weight workouts, swimming, running, and martial arts.
2. Additionally, I often perform stretching exercises like splits, back bends, and forward bends.
3. Is it advisable for me to sleep on the floor and sit cross-legged on floor?
I don't experience pain in any other parts of my body besides my knee and calf. However, if I sit for more than 20 minutes, I feel slight numbness in both legs.
I will focus on improving my posture and strengthening my back muscles.
I have some concerns about my daily activities. Could you please advise if it's safe for me to continue my routine?
1. My activities include regular weight workouts, swimming, running, and martial arts.
2. Additionally, I often perform stretching exercises like splits, back bends, and forward bends.
3. Is it advisable for me to sleep on the floor and sit cross-legged on floor?
Brief Answer:
Answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
It is safe to swim, run and do martial arts as long as it is not uncomfortable for you. Lifting weights can cause problems if too heavy and bending forwards can also cause worsening disc bulge.
Stretching exercises are safe. Try to improve your core muscle strength.
You can sleep on the floor and sit cross-legged as long as it is not uncomfortable.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Thanking you.
Answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
It is safe to swim, run and do martial arts as long as it is not uncomfortable for you. Lifting weights can cause problems if too heavy and bending forwards can also cause worsening disc bulge.
Stretching exercises are safe. Try to improve your core muscle strength.
You can sleep on the floor and sit cross-legged as long as it is not uncomfortable.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Thanking you.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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