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Neurology  (Expert Forum)
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Pinched Nerve
Answered by
Cleveland Clinic -
Cleveland - OH
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MedHelp Member's Question

Pinched Nerve

by LAS42, Jul 30, 2007 12:00AM
Can a pinched nerve be fixed?  I have sharp pain in my left hip.  It is not constant; but, my left foot is numb and tingling as is my left calf.  It has been this way about a week and seems to be getting worse.  I could not shift the gears on my 4-wheeler yesterday with my left foot.  I know it is a pinched nerve, but I can't afford any long term pain therapy.  Also, even if there was a drug strong enough to get rid of the pain, I am quite sure I would not be able to function at school and work if I took any.  

Can it be fixed or should I be prepared to just live with it as is?

Thank you
Doctor's Answer

by Cleveland Clinic, Aug 31, 2007 04:07PM
To: LAS42
thanks for the email. You should start by seeing your Primary Care Physician and you may need a referral to a neurologist or neurosurgeon. Lower extremity pain and tingling are common problems. Sometimes the pain comes from the hip and sometimes it is the back itself. Most patients that develop these symptoms have the symptoms resolve with conservative treatment (phyical therapy, anti inflammatories). Other end up having steroid injections and others surgery. A good history and exam will help localize the problem and treatment can start. If the symptoms progress then imaging studies such as an MRI are reasonable. get in to see your PCP first. GS
Member Comments (14)

by mike1105, Jul 30, 2007 12:00AM
you need to see a neurologist. If it is ideed a pinched nerve, it should be evident to the neurologist thru testing and imaging. There are also minimally invasive surgical options available these days. Do not let it wait----nerve issues can become permanent even if the compression is relieved if you wait to long.

by doug one, Jul 31, 2007 12:00AM
a mri  scan will determine the extent of your back problem. I have just had the spinal surgery needed to clear the problem identical to you.the pain has gone but i still suffer from the damaged nerves from leaving it to long. Also weakness of the thigh muscles .Any advice to help with these post op problems would be appreciated.

by ade2007, Aug 02, 2007 12:00AM
To: LAS42
I was diagnosed with occulta spina bifida and experienced extreme lower back pain for many years. At one point I was on four different pain medications, two of which were very strong and I still managed to cope and function to a reasonably normal level. I was given a TENS machine which helped enormously as a medication-free alterative to pain management. It was an invaluble thing that I could wear whilst out and about. I was reffered to a pain management clinic - they assessed the situation and told me that nerves were being affected by the occulta spina bifida. They off-lisenced prescribed for the pain I was in. I took capsules for epilepsy which did help with the pain to certain degree. Essentially, its whether you can function without the need for long-term pain relief. Pysiotherapy helped me greatly in realising that my lifestyle affects the pain levels. Pilates were also suggested to me. I hope some of this information is of help to you.

by richedie, Aug 05, 2007 12:00AM
Sorry to hear about your pinched nerve. I am wondering if I have the same problem. I am in the process of testing for Ankylosing Spondylitis since having back problems and some suspicious blood work. So, I am waiting two months now to see this very popular Rheumatology specialist in my area.

In the meantime I notice my pinky and ring finger, along with part of me left hand start to feel pins and needles quite often similar to when your hand falls a sleep or has the blood restricted. I am wondering if this is a pinched nerve since I really notice it when I lay on my left side and bend hard at the elbow or bend my wrist inward. I am trying to pinpoint when I feel it most but this just started this past week. So, now I am wondering if this is tied to my possible Spondilitis condition or something totally different such as a pinch nerve. Maybe the Ulner(sp) nerve.

I am worried.

I hope you make out well in your situation.

-Rich

by mike1105, Aug 07, 2007 12:00AM
ich-- sounds like ulnar nerve involvement. I would see a hand specialist. I had this for 18 months and it is a bout 90 percent gone. Mine was from an over stretch during exercise. yours may be o a chronic condition where the nerve is constantly being irritated-- there are surgeries for this-- but the first step will be to wear an elbow and or wrist splint to keep your from irritating the nerve.

by BigZee, Aug 16, 2007 12:00AM
I just had back surgey on July 26th. I experienced severe pain in my hip and left buttocks with numbness in my left calf and foot. I made an appointment with my neurosurgeon and was immediately scheduled for an MRI. The MRI showed arthritis around the facets and stenosis but didn't show any disc protrusion onto the nerve. i was sent to a pain management center to have steroids and marcaine(numbing agent) onto the nerve root to see if it would reduce the inflamation of the nerve. After months of pain I received about 4 hours of relief until the marcain wore off. My neurosurgeon suggested the possibility of surgery (which I was greatful) to remove a portion of the facet joint and make some room for the nerve root. upon waking up from anesthesia the doctor stated that I had a very large ruptured disk with the material encroaching on the nerve. he was surprised that the MRI never showed this and stated that all of the pain management shots would have never provided long term relief.

by lawman451, Aug 18, 2007 12:00AM
To: ibprophen
Advil or the generic equivalent is a good anti-inflamatory medication.  over the counter.  I could not function without it.  2400 mg a day!

by Brenda267, Aug 19, 2007 12:00AM
Acouple of months ago I started hurting in my upper arm and shoulder. just in the last couple of weeks it has got worse. I am now feeling a tingle sensation in my fingers also I feel like I lose circulation in my upper arm. I am having trouble sleeping I wake up in the middle of the night hurting. I have trouble lifting anything heavy. it is getting harder just putting on my clothes. about 10 years ago I had surgery for Carple Tunnel. could my Carple Tunnel be coming back or could this be something different. What type of Doctor should I see?

by dperry10, Sep 04, 2007 04:49AM
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