Lower back or hip pain that generates to the thigh area

[Debbie St. Ange]

For about two years now I began having pain in my hip area, and around the end of my spine.  It is not a sharp pain, rather dull and strange.  There are time when it feels as if my spine is separating at the hips if I stand too long. This pain also generates to the pelvic area.  Making a bowel movement is sometime a chore, because the pain is there.  Walking accessively brings on the pain in the hips and thighs.  Xrays have revealed inflamation in the lower spine area, which my doctor diagnosed as arthritis.  I have been put on anti inflamatory pain medication, This is a chronic conditions that never goes away.  I have notice that this discomfort lessens around the time for my period.  I will be 49 years old this year, and I am wondering does hormones have anything to do with this condition.  Please help.

[wes]

Debbie,
Like yourseif I now have pain in my left hip and thigh very similar to what you discribe. Do to a fall I had in aug. of 98. I had back surgery in dec. (laminectomy/discectomy L2/L4) to releave presure on a nerve. My doctor has suggested a spinal cord stimulator implant to block the pain signals. In my case it's nerve damage in my back we think. I'm going to have a trial test at the end of sep. to see if the SCS work's for me. Here is there web site www.medtronic.com  Good Luck!

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Teri:

Sorry about the paraesthesias that your experiencing.  It is so difficult to answer your questions.  We have seen patients with problems in paraesthesias with MRI that sound like what your describing and also people who have MRIs but with no symptoms.  Sometimes there does not seem to be a rational explaination.  The facet joint hypertrophy is alittle worrisome.  The sensory neuron ganglion sits there and if there are changes going on then this might be the problem.  Talk to your neurologist and also to a rehab person.  Through PT, medications you might be able to work through your problems and get rid of these sensory changes.  But, I need to tell you that without doing a neurological exam and seeing the films, I am not absolutely positive about the etiology.  But it does seem that the facet is the problem.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Thanks for the comment.

CCF Neuro MD

[Bertha Gordillo]

I have been haveing lower Back pain for that past 2 1/2 year, going to DR., specialist, neorsugeons,chiropractor,etc. you name it, I have had every test done. All they come up with is artheritis.My back pain has worsen going down to my thigh and legs. I can't sit long or stand long with out my back feeling like it is going to crack. I hear poping my arm achs and I get very bad head achs. I can't even carry my grandbaby I am 46 yrs. old and I don't know what else to do. I have taken evety inflamatory drug you can think of,cortisone shots,and therapy. These thing only help me to rest well at night. Can someone please lead me to the right direction.They have never checked me for any thing like, MS or other disease. I would appreciate any feed back. Thanks,

[teri]

Thank you for your response.  I do not know if the neurologist knows the etiology either.  I spoke with him yesterday afternoon and he as the neuro-radiologist said this shouldnt be causing the numbness.  I dont know if you need to have pain with this for it to associate with the numbness for this joint thing to be considered the actual etiology.  I am at a loss.   I have heard of neurography being done at some places.  Does that type of imaging show just the images of damaged nerves cause by injury or compression?  Will it show injury of a nerve if it is of a disease component as ms or some other demeyelating disease?  My neuro thinks I have a demeyelating process, but my mri's are all clear of that stuff.  I do not know how neurologists can handle such a job.  So many factors to deal with on so many disorders.  I must commend you, it is a very hard field to be in.

Thank you

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Bertha:

Sorry about your problems.  It may be that you have changes associated with arthritis as your doctors have told you.  I would assume that you saw a good neurologist and MS was ruled out.  You symptoms do not have the flavor of episodic waxing and waning that MS has.  Maybe a second opinion might be valuable.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD