Pain - is it a pinched nerve

[su]

Hi,

I fell down the stairs and am having constant pain after that.
The doctor said nothing was broken and prescribed ibuprofen for the pain.

I can only walk very slowly and sitting down or getting uo causes a pinching/grinding pain in my left side.

I am also using ice and heat which relieves the symptoms for a
few seconds but then it comes back. The ibuprofen helped initially, but is not helping much anymore.

I need to get back to work - what do I have and how long will it last?

Thanks,
Su

[suzie]

My husband has been expriencing a pain in the left side of his chect that radiates down his left arm.  It only happens when he does something stenuous and gets his heart rate elevated.  He is concerned that it may be a heart problem.  He is 34 yrs old and has been doing construction/carpentry work as well as working with concrete.  It started two weeks ago today.  He does not expirence jaw, back or sholder pain and has no other symptoms.  Could it possibly be a pinched nerve or muscle?  He did have an ekg and the Dr. told me they only thing he saw was adverted T waves???  Can you clearify??  Thanks

[Kathy]

I injured my left ankle in a work related injury. I have had 3 bone scans, MRI, Neuorolgy work up and the bone scan just showed bruising of the bone and no fracture. They did a nerve ectomy on part of a nerve a saw there was damage. I was in physical therapy for awhile but heat cold and severe weather changes bother it. If  I am on my ankle for any period of time my ankle is in extreme pain and have a burning sensation and nerve impulses up my ankle to my toes... My ankle feels like its tight and wants to pop into  place but wont any ideas? why its still hurts been almost 2 years now

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Cindy:

This means that the cushions between your vertebrae have become misaligned and now are protruding backward.  Yes, we usually will try rehab measures first to see if by strengthening the muscle groups along side the spine we can correct the problem.  If not and the pain becomes too severe, surgery may be required.

CCF Neuro MD

[Cindy]

dear dr
i havea far left lateral protrusion of the disk which dieviates the exited left l3 root-can you explain what that means and do you think its treatable? im in pt and have pain in right buttocks and down to knee especially when i sit! thanks alot-i live reading your answers-i can understand some!lol

[connie nelson]

I am a certified massage therapist and have been helping people with various problems for 10 years. I went to school in Lapeer, Mich. H.E.C. for 2 years, worked in the office for 3 years in charge of all the workshops.  I learned many things from my clients as I love "Feedback" of what worked, what didn't work etc.I have worked with many people with numbness down the arms with, and without pain.  In fact while I was in school, I had a similar problem.  Some were diagnosed with CTS. I found that numbness and or pain down the arms can be coming from the Scalene Muscles.  There are 3 scalenes in the neck.  People who have had pathology tests to rule out heart problems,etc. and can't find anything wrong. But the client still KNOWS something is wrong, I would go for the scalenes. These muscles can cause a person to "drop" things all of a sudden, can mimic chest pains, Can radiate (referred pain) between shoulder blades, and on the head.They are associated with thoracic outlet entrapment, AND ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.They areattached to the transverse processes of the cervical vert.  attach to the first rib (medius), and scalenus posterior, to the second rib.  So they stabilize the cerv. spine against lateral movement and elevate the first and second ribs to assist in inspiration.  Deep tissue work, slow and deliberate to "Release" these muscles have a profound effect on stubborn problems.  Psoas and Illiacus muscles for the low back can cause bizzare symptoms, again when pathology and an ok from your doctor, Please give massage therapy a try you have nothing to loose, and something hopefullly to gain!!    I am a believer of what massage can help with.  "BURNING" can be a symptom of MYOFASCIA tie up. I hope this helps someone here, and I am not stepping on someones toes. I just am going through and was interested in all of the things I was reading and thought this would be helpful. Make sure, like with anything else, you get someone who went to a licensed, accredited school and Knows what they are doing and WHY they are doing it.  Do not ever be afraid to ask questions, questions!
God Bless.    Connie Nelson.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Patti:

Since I haven't seen the films or done the physical examination I can't tell you what sort of rehab might be best.  But, I would base my decision, if I were you, on what the PT, rehab physician think of your case after a trial of rehab.  Second, the neurontin dulling the pain is a good thing, because you need to undergo exercises and stretches that will likely induce pain.  If you think that the pain is not much and you can forgo pain meds, then go without, only you can make that decision.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD