Foot and Leg Pain

[rattyrandi]

As many of you know, I was hurt at work in September and had an MRI which revealed herniated C6 & C7 disks, impingeing on the nerves in the brachial plexus.  In the last week or so, I have been experiencing an intermittant pinching/shooting pain in my left leg around where my thigh meets my pelvis and then down to my knee.  I also am having cramp-like/pinching sensation in my foot around the arch area.  I know it's not a cramp because I've had them and this is different.  I had a thoracic MRI, but my neurologist didn't mention any anomolies.  The radiologist did not do a transcription at all, so I don't know if they saw anything.  My chief complaint was the neck and shoulder pain.  I don't see the neurologist for another few weeks, so I thought I'd see what anyone here thought.  Any questions you think I should be asking at my next visit?  Thanks in advance!  Randi

[rattyrandi]

I know where you're coming from when you say you just feel like a mess.  Sometimes I get to this point where I don't even know what hurts anymore because it feels like everything hurts and I get hopeless because it never gets any better.  Funny you should say that about the problems moving from your left to your right - me  too.  Up in my neck and shoulder, it's almost all on the left, but the leg and foot pain seem to be mostly in the right.  I also was just walking in the house one day and my right ankle started hurting.  I mean, I didn't trip or do anything, it just started hurting and then I got the ugliest swelling for like almost 3weeks straight.  Finally, it just went away one day.  I really didn't think too much of it because I didn't think at the time it would be effected by my neck injury.  Where is the ankle pain on you?  Mine was on the front right above the arch of my foot where I get the charlie horse feeling.  I didn't even bring up to the docs because they already look at me like I'm nuts.  My physical therapist is beside herself - she doesn't even want to touch me because she can visibly see and feel the way my muscles react to the therapy.  At first it helped, but now nothing does.  I got approval for my epidural today and I am scared, but desperate.  Well enough rambling.  Thanks for listening.  Keep me posted about your case.  Good luck.

[chadry]

I have low back problems and neck problems due to an injury at work. I have been getting the same thing in my left foot mostly. It feels like a charlie horse is about to come on. I thought it was from my low back. I have to go today to a neurologist for an evaluation for my case. This is a WC evaluation so you can imagine how that will go. I have had quite a few appointments the last few months because they are giving me my percentages. I plan to give them an earful today. I have been having so many problems anymore. My back is always hurting and my neck is constantly getting stiff. I have pins and needles in my fingers on amd off and different things going on I did not have before like pain in my thigh. I usually have most of my problems with my right leg but anymore it is starting to shift to my left. I'm a mess sometimes. I know my time walking around doing things is growing shorter and now I have more problems sitting. But anyway I do know what you are talking about with your foot. Do you ever get any pain in your ankle? Alot of time if I am having problems with my hip, and butt pain it is on the right side and my right ankle hurts at the same time and then I get a pain in my left groin. Of course when I mentioned all this stuff to the WC doc before they just blew me off.

[rattyrandi]

Hey thanks for the info.  I was kind of wierded out when it started, thinking it only happened to people with lower back problems.  Comforting to know I'm not nuts, even though sometimes they look at me that way.  Well, I go back the 6th to get my rotator checked out, but I can't (ever) see the doctor, so I hope his CNP is willing to listen for a change.  The WC is a total joke.  In most states, I have learned, companies who have WC insurance are protected from further action by injured workers.  As usual my adjuster is "out of the office" almost every time a doctor faxes an request, so I am still waiting on the approval for my epidural.  I got measured today at PT - it was worse than ever - even my first day.  I hope WC doesn't cut me off the therapy, it helps most of the time.  Well, good luck and take care.  If I don't talk to you before the big day, I'll be praying for you.  Take care.

[snglmother]

Hey, I just started having the same thing after my cervical epidural. I spoke to my Ortho DR yesterday about it. He says it is most likely because they irritated the nerve/caused more inflammation and now I'm experiencing "the full effect" of having herniated cervical discs. I think maybe you are having the same thing.. some more inflammation in that area. Not saying this to scare you.. but my DR told me if I wasn't going in for surgery.. I sure would be now (because of the leg symptoms). What you describe is EXACTLY what I have been feeling in my left leg too. I will occasionally get pain in the right one.. but the left one is constant. In the arch of your foot.. does it feel like a "charlie-horse"? That is the best way I can describe it. What I have been doing to ease the pain/make it more comfortable.. I have been putting my leg up on two pillows with a heating pad on it.. so the heating pad lies almost up to the top of my thigh and to my knee.. helps alot!! When I have to go out for the day.. I have been getting those knee heating pads and placing them on my thigh with an ace bandage around it. Just some things that have helped me.. so I can get thru the day. By the way how is the WC case going? I'm still waiting for some news from my lawyers office. I'm all set up for surgery on the 18th, have my pre-op Monday the 11th.. I'm freaking out!!! It is a scary thing to deal with, luckily I have wonderful DR's who are very thorough.. and will sit and talk if I need them to talk to me (especially when the tears start..lol)