pain in leg

[nick carcione]

i was in a auto-accident in 1994 & immediately after-i experiened pain in my right knee as well as a very hot feeling through-out the leg itself,accompied with numb-ness & tingling sensations.
after tests-(mri-back & knee-)i was told i had cartlige damage in knee & a buldged disc in back-i had surgery on knee-(2 surgeries to remove damaged cartlige---although i had pain in the area of the knee-i have always experienced pain in all of the right leg since the accident>--its been 5 yrs--& the pain in the knee area is'nt as bad since the surgery's--but i have always had a pain going down my right leg! the last 2-yrs the pain is mostly a sharp shooting pain through-out the leg-but very prominent behind the knee/thigh area-this pain is also severe when i bend my leg more than 90 degrees/the orho-surgeon
says hes not sure as why i have so much pain--but feels it may
not be a knee problem!
i was told to find a sit-down job to relieve strees on the leg-but--when i sit- the knees in a bent position & hurts terribly!

i know it sounds stupid -but if i didnt bend my leg at all--i wouldnt have as much pain-
my question:
can there be a nerve in my leg pinching when i bend it-<behind knee->? is the buldge pressing on a nerve & causing the pain down my leg??
any advice would be greatly appreciated--thanks nick carcione

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Nick Carcione:

Your symptoms sound like you might have some irriatated nerve(s) in your back (radiation pain down your leg).  I would see a neurologist and have him/her examine it to verify that it is your back.  The pain when you bend your let doesn't sound like a back problem, it sounds more like a mechanical problem around the knee area, but without examining you I can't tell.  I would see a neurologist, find out where the problems exists and then begin to figure out the best plan to relieve the back pain.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Lynn]

I have a sharp pain <does not radiate from anywhere> in the back of my knee.  It started out as a "once in a while" thing but it is becoming more and more frequent.  It doesn't last long just a matter of 10 to 15 seconds but the pain is extremely sharp and sudden. Any thoughts?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Lynn:

Just the description of pain, doesn't help to give you a diagnosis.  Since it does not radiate, it may just be mechanical.  I would see your family physician.

CCF Neuro MD

[Jane]

The pain in my leg started out the same as Lynn's (Tue., March 28th,2000). It has now been a year and my condition has gotten worse. My orthopeodic doctor has me taking vioxx, which helps with the sharp shooting pain that happens now everyday and for long periods of time. The pain goes down to my ankle and has weakened my ankle significantly that I have to wear a brace. My orthopeodic doctor has taken MRI of my knee and ankle and has found nothing significant. My last MRI was of my lower back which also showed nothing different. I'm finally being referred to a neurologist.I'm getting very frustrated. What's your input on this?

[lilly123]

A related discussion, leg pain was started.