Ankle pain with sciatica

[SmallPetExpert]

had a severe onset of ankle pain (like knives being stuck in) in april whilst eating a meal, then had aching in lower back.had an mri which showed a bulge at L5/S1, but no significent changes from the 3 scans that i had over the previous 3 years. after having a nerve root block all seemed well. started having a spinal massage technique to correct posture problems. 11 pain free weeks later whilst getting into car had severe cramp in hip and then onset of pain in ankle.
went to GP and explained that the pain was not like the pain in april, this was an aching pain in the ankle that intesifies on weight bearing and walking with tightening of the calf and an ache in the hip area. no back pain and no pain on movement of the back.
all i got was, that it was a reacurrance and to take the nsads aand painkillers and keep moving. I feel that the main problem is the muscles in the hip are contracting on the nerve, but can not get the gp to listen,
has anyone else had this type of pain, and any suggestions on elliviation.

 

[aims]

You may well be right in your self-diagnosis. Have a google of piriformis syndrome, see if that looks familiar.

Of course, the question is always 'why', and the blurry reality is that these various events are certainly related in some way, simply because everything is, the body isn't really divided into convenient departments. And there may be more than one thing involved.

But why go to a GP for a problem like this? You know something is wrong, if it was a rattle in a car you wouldn't expect the mechanic to give you ear-plugs, you'd go to one who would roll up his sleeves and sort it out. Find a good osteopath!

 

[farfar8806]

Hi

I would once again agree with KVDP although I would say as well as an Osteopath, you could try a Chiropractor or good Physio. Which ever you go for make sure they look at your body as a 'whole', rather than concentrating on where you say the pain is.

You mention having massage to correct postural problems. From my understanding massage is good for dealing with muscles that have gone into spasm, but does not necessarily deal with the cause of the spasm or prevent re-occurrence. Poor posture often results from muscle imbalances which can only be fixed by the correct exercises. As KVDP says the Piriformis muscle in the hip is prone to spasm which results in the hips not functioning properly which can throw the entire body out. The spasm is not the kind where you get sudden intense pain btw, its a gradual process that builds up when a muscle is protecting a vulnerable joint/area. It leaves us prone to injury in several different places.

Hope that is of some help

Pete

 

[COFFEEEE]

now been diagnosed with bulge at L4/L5 with slight compression of nerve root. have been offered surgery if i want it.
not sure if surgery is the first option. as i have a constant ache in side of foot which doesn't really stop me doing anything, just intensifies when i've been on my feet for a few hours. have no back pain or weakness in back. am thinking along lines of physio and nerve root injections. was fairly active before all this started ( refereed 2 matches a weekend) but have put a bit of weight on, and really want to get sorted so i can get more active.
views please on pros and cons of surgry and physio
thanks

 

[Shady sam]

surgery should be the bottom of your list, top of it should be a suitabley trained therapist who can assess and treat the postural dysfunction which is likely to be the cause, Unfortunately physio theses days is a bit of a lottery and 15 mins every 3 weeks will not be much assistance.
osteo, remedial or sports therapist would be my preferred route
BG

 

[McBane]

It should be the last! most surgeons won't operate until you've been through everything else.

 

[Gaila]

First conservative treatment of course!