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What Causes Persistent And Severe Pain In Left Leg Of An Elderly Man?

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Posted on Mon, 19 Sep 2016
Question: My husband has severe pain in his left leg that is not relieved by anti-inflammatory medications. For the past 2 days he has been living in his recliner. There is NO swelling or redness. He did not have an injury within the past several years. An X-ray did not show any fracture, some slight inflammation. He is 82 years old.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Radiculopathy should be ruled out...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

At the outset, its difficult to understand the cause of leg pain without clinical examination. I presume doppler scan of lower limb arteries and veins were done before ruling out circulatory problems. And no swelling / redness are against venous clots / local infections. Based on these details, I choose radiculopathy - blocked nerve roots at the spine as the most likely cause of severe leg pain.

Most often radiculopathy is described as a bilateral or unilateral shooting leg pain associated with limb weakness and numbness / sensory disturbance. Associated bowel and bladder disturbance is also reported. If your husband also has these typical features, then radiculopathy is most likely.

That being said, I have limited resource to diagnose him here. I will recommend he visits an orthopedic surgeon or a spine surgeon for clinical examination. MRI scan of spine is entailed.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more information/guidance.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Prasad J

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3697 Questions

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What Causes Persistent And Severe Pain In Left Leg Of An Elderly Man?

Brief Answer: Radiculopathy should be ruled out... Detailed Answer: Hi, At the outset, its difficult to understand the cause of leg pain without clinical examination. I presume doppler scan of lower limb arteries and veins were done before ruling out circulatory problems. And no swelling / redness are against venous clots / local infections. Based on these details, I choose radiculopathy - blocked nerve roots at the spine as the most likely cause of severe leg pain. Most often radiculopathy is described as a bilateral or unilateral shooting leg pain associated with limb weakness and numbness / sensory disturbance. Associated bowel and bladder disturbance is also reported. If your husband also has these typical features, then radiculopathy is most likely. That being said, I have limited resource to diagnose him here. I will recommend he visits an orthopedic surgeon or a spine surgeon for clinical examination. MRI scan of spine is entailed. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more information/guidance. Regards