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Can the pain be localised in one area only?

Posted , 4 users are following.

estelle44124
estelle44124

For over a week I have been more or less bed-bound by what I have been told is severe sciatica. The doctor who came from the NHS 111 service, and my physio say so.The intense, unbearable pain is just in one leg, from the shin to my ankle. Can it be like that? I am wondering if it could be a broken bone, rather than sciatica. As it's Christmas, I will soldier on until next week. Painkillers and neuropathic meds are helping a bit. But I plan to get a consultation with a neurosurgeon asap.

Any comments as to localised pain experience and planned next step appreciated.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • mattindro
    mattindro estelle44124

    Posted

    You need an mri ASAP to find out exactly what it is. Having said that, unlikely to happen quickly on nhs. In my experience unusual that no pain in buttock or thigh but I’m not an expert. An osteopath May be able to tell you more.
    • estelle44124
      estelle44124 mattindro

      Posted

      if I stretch the leg, the pain shoots down it from my buttock, and also if I reach for anything. It then settles in shin and ankle. Sorry I didn't make myself clear

  • wayne54141
    wayne54141 estelle44124

    Posted

    Sciatic  nerve pain is the worst pain i have ever experenced. My knee went completely numb with a deep ache inside along with my shin. My back never hurt. I found some relief using heating pad on my knee and shin. I had mri and my L3-4 was pressing on the sciatic nerve. Try ice on n your lower back ( crushed ) worked best for me. After 20 min the ice finally relieved the pain. Its hard to find the right spot to ice . I had nerve block on L3-4 abd my knee n shin are good now but my L2-3 is pressing on sciatic nerve too and that hurts in my groin and inner theigh . I cant be on my feet longer than 5-10 min at a time.Waiting on a nerve block to relieve pain in my groin so i can walk without being hunched over from the pain.. ive had this since march of this year . Iceing my lower back helped me. With both areas after i found out what was causing the pain in both areas. I wouldnt wish this pain on my worst enemy. Hope the ice helps you. 
    • estelle44124
      estelle44124 wayne54141

      Posted

      Thank you. The ice worked for me too. It's the immobility factor that's getting me down. I'm usually on the go 24/7

       

  • philsno1
    philsno1 estelle44124

    Posted

    Sciatica can be really debilitating, the pain where the nerve is trapped can be bad, but also, the way nerves work, mean that any part of your body served by those nerves, can be equally (if not even more) painful, my pain came and went, but invariably, it would appear again in a different part of my leg(s)/feet/hips and could be equally excruciating. You should try to get a consultation asap, to get to the bottom of your problem and it could disappear in a matter of days or weeks, as mine often has, but it has always returned at some point. I eventually got an MRI and as a result, had to have emergency surgery, as I was told I may even lose the ability to walk and end up in a wheel chair and lost other important functions, if not treated and whilst I don't wish to scare you, I was really thankful of that MRI

    • estelle44124
      estelle44124 philsno1

      Posted

      Thank you for that. I doubt that the GP would give me the MRI, but a consultant might. That would have to be private. I have seen or spoken to three doctors/ Physio. Each one stressed that if I had trouble controlling bladder/ bowels then it's straight to A&E because if the spine becomes involved ( can't remember the correct terminology)', it's serious, as one can become paralysed. Thank for the input

    • estelle44124
      estelle44124

      Posted

      Just to  update you. I eventually was admitted to hospital as the pain was so severe they then sent me to a different hospital which specialises in spinal problems, where I did have a full MRI scan. I was then sent back to my local hospital (which is  very good) I was there for nine days while they stabilise the pain with controlled drugs et cetera and mobilised me with the use of crutches; at one point I had been incontinent so they were concerned something might be trapped but the scan showed there was no need for surgery at this point in time. Nevertheless I’m going for a second (private) opinion as I will be more satisfied afterwards, and hopefully a prognosis
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