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Neurology (Expert Forum)
sharp, localised, bilateral pain in rear upper leg disappears on spine flexion
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sharp, localised, bilateral pain in rear upper leg disappears on spine flexion
by townie, Jan 01, 2005 12:00AM
55 year old, overweight (5'9", 220 lbs) male with intermittent, sharp pain that appears at the rear of the top of the legs, just below the buttocks that has persisted for several years.
Usually, there is no pain on rising in the morning, and I can easily walk the 5.5 miles to work without discomfort. However, extending the spine _ as in reaching for something on a high shelf, looking at the moon, missionary sex, sleeping on my
stomach with my head on a high pillow, stretching in bed in the morning, etc _ will bring on the pain described above. Similarly, slow walking or standing _ as in grocery shopping or attending a cocktail party _ also elicits the pain, but only after fifteen or twenty minutes. The pain worsens as the day goes by so that by the time I get to bed, even turning over can be quite uncomfortable.
Interestingly, if I touch my toes or squat on my heels, the
pain disappears immediately, just as if someone had turned
off a light switch. (However, for some reason, my wife says its
embarrassing to walk with me in the park, when I'm duck walking.)
Such flexion usually brings relief that lasts several minutes.
Similarly, sitting down, especially while keeping a curve in
my back, kills the pain.
I wonder if someone can attach a name to this condition or point me to some information. I have variously thought that it could
be spinal lumbar stenosis or pyriformis syndrome, but the pain
is so tightly focused to the one area that I am unsure. My GP
says, no doubt rightly, that, since I can walk several miles
without pain, I am not a candidate for surgery.
Usually, there is no pain on rising in the morning, and I can easily walk the 5.5 miles to work without discomfort. However, extending the spine _ as in reaching for something on a high shelf, looking at the moon, missionary sex, sleeping on my
stomach with my head on a high pillow, stretching in bed in the morning, etc _ will bring on the pain described above. Similarly, slow walking or standing _ as in grocery shopping or attending a cocktail party _ also elicits the pain, but only after fifteen or twenty minutes. The pain worsens as the day goes by so that by the time I get to bed, even turning over can be quite uncomfortable.
Interestingly, if I touch my toes or squat on my heels, the
pain disappears immediately, just as if someone had turned
off a light switch. (However, for some reason, my wife says its
embarrassing to walk with me in the park, when I'm duck walking.)
Such flexion usually brings relief that lasts several minutes.
Similarly, sitting down, especially while keeping a curve in
my back, kills the pain.
I wonder if someone can attach a name to this condition or point me to some information. I have variously thought that it could
be spinal lumbar stenosis or pyriformis syndrome, but the pain
is so tightly focused to the one area that I am unsure. My GP
says, no doubt rightly, that, since I can walk several miles
without pain, I am not a candidate for surgery.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jan 03, 2005 12:00AM
Without the benefit of the neurological examination and/or an MRI scan of the spine, I cannot make a definitive diagnosis
However, your story and symptoms sound typical for spinal lumbar stenosis and the pain syndrome can be called 'pseudoclaudication'
This is a condition where the space around the lumbar spine is narrowed, usually from degenerative spine disease. The spinal fluid flow is transiently blocked altogether when positions that narrow the space occur (as you describe) and releived by positions which increase the space (as you describe)
You probably should look into getting an MRI scan of the spine though to exclude other rarer causes such as an abnormal growth, although considering the length of time it has been occuring, this is less likely
Unfortunately there is no quick or easy fix, although losing weight would definitely help a lot (and has at least partly caused the problem). Good luck.
PW
However, your story and symptoms sound typical for spinal lumbar stenosis and the pain syndrome can be called 'pseudoclaudication'
This is a condition where the space around the lumbar spine is narrowed, usually from degenerative spine disease. The spinal fluid flow is transiently blocked altogether when positions that narrow the space occur (as you describe) and releived by positions which increase the space (as you describe)
You probably should look into getting an MRI scan of the spine though to exclude other rarer causes such as an abnormal growth, although considering the length of time it has been occuring, this is less likely
Unfortunately there is no quick or easy fix, although losing weight would definitely help a lot (and has at least partly caused the problem). Good luck.
PW
Member Comments (2)
by sidm, Jan 09, 2005 12:00AM
Check out UPPER CERVICAL SPECIFIC CHIROPRACTIC. It helped me immensly. I didn't have quite the same symptoms but did also experience strange things related to movement. I do agree with the doctor that losing weight would be beneficial to you in any case. I'll pray for you.
