Aa
sciatica
I fell abt. 10 days ago, onto flagstone, from 8 feet above...got a black eye, sprained wrist, injured shoulder and a very sharp pain in my right buttock that makes it difficult to walk and hurts 24/7. I only got x-rayed for my wrist, and my dr. has been out of town for 7 days. I have been taking pain medication but now it's time to get on to something better than that...am wondering if yoga and acupuncture will help me out of this pain cycle?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear SpikeN,
It sounds like you had quite a fall.
Is your pain isolated to your buttock region? Do you have any back pain? Does the pain extend from your buttock to your right leg or groin? Do you have any numbness or tingling (paresthesias) in your right leg? Have you had a history of back problems before your fall? Do you have a bruise or discoloration on your right buttocks? Are you able to walk without a limp?
I do not mean to answer your question with more questions, however, will a fall like your fall, I would be concerned not only about your back but also your pelvis (or hip bone).
True "sciatica" is described at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sciatica/DS00516.
If you have persistent or intermittent leg symptoms (pain or paresthesias), the sciatic nerve may be impinged in one of two locations- the back or spine by a bulging or herniated disc or in the buttocks by inflamed and swollen soft tissue and muscle. Sciatica related to the spine is usually accompanied by back pain.
If your pain is more likely hip pain versus sciatica, you should consider seeing your personal physician or one of their partners if the pelvis was not addressed in your initial evaluation.
After a fall like yours, once fractures have been ruled out, it is generally a good practice to remain as active as you possible can. Once you have been seen by your personal physician or one of their partners, massage, yoga, and acupuncture may help some people. Remember that soft tissue swelling may take several weeks to dissipate. This is especially true in a region of the body where there is a dense amount of soft tissue, muscle, and adipose tissue (fat).
As you mention in your posting, try to minimize and then discontinue pain medications (especially narcotics) as soon as you are able to under the recommendations of your personal physician.
I hope this was helpful.
I wish you well in your recovery.
~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
It sounds like you had quite a fall.
Is your pain isolated to your buttock region? Do you have any back pain? Does the pain extend from your buttock to your right leg or groin? Do you have any numbness or tingling (paresthesias) in your right leg? Have you had a history of back problems before your fall? Do you have a bruise or discoloration on your right buttocks? Are you able to walk without a limp?
I do not mean to answer your question with more questions, however, will a fall like your fall, I would be concerned not only about your back but also your pelvis (or hip bone).
True "sciatica" is described at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sciatica/DS00516.
If you have persistent or intermittent leg symptoms (pain or paresthesias), the sciatic nerve may be impinged in one of two locations- the back or spine by a bulging or herniated disc or in the buttocks by inflamed and swollen soft tissue and muscle. Sciatica related to the spine is usually accompanied by back pain.
If your pain is more likely hip pain versus sciatica, you should consider seeing your personal physician or one of their partners if the pelvis was not addressed in your initial evaluation.
After a fall like yours, once fractures have been ruled out, it is generally a good practice to remain as active as you possible can. Once you have been seen by your personal physician or one of their partners, massage, yoga, and acupuncture may help some people. Remember that soft tissue swelling may take several weeks to dissipate. This is especially true in a region of the body where there is a dense amount of soft tissue, muscle, and adipose tissue (fat).
As you mention in your posting, try to minimize and then discontinue pain medications (especially narcotics) as soon as you are able to under the recommendations of your personal physician.
I hope this was helpful.
I wish you well in your recovery.
~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello again,
Based on your additional descriptions of your symptoms and your past history of understanding what "sciatica" feels like, it sounds like your symptoms of radiating pain to the inside of your thigh are more consistent with a contusion to your pelvis. Your pelvis is made of several bones that form "joints" that hold them in a ring. Also, your "tail bone" or coccyx lies at the end of the sacrum, another bone that comprises the posterior part of the pelvic ring.
Nice diagram - http://www.patient.co.uk/images/I110_L.JPG
So, this does sound more related a contusion to the hip or pelvis but the shooting pain down your leg is suspicious for an inflammed, bruised, or 'pinched" nerve (possibly related to the contusion and the swelling that is likely present). Sometimes, there is more than just one diagnosis present.
As always, keep your personal physician or health care provider informed as your symptoms evolve or change.
Until your hip and pelvis are examined by your physician, I would recommend that you be cautious with your activity level.
~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Based on your additional descriptions of your symptoms and your past history of understanding what "sciatica" feels like, it sounds like your symptoms of radiating pain to the inside of your thigh are more consistent with a contusion to your pelvis. Your pelvis is made of several bones that form "joints" that hold them in a ring. Also, your "tail bone" or coccyx lies at the end of the sacrum, another bone that comprises the posterior part of the pelvic ring.
Nice diagram - http://www.patient.co.uk/images/I110_L.JPG
So, this does sound more related a contusion to the hip or pelvis but the shooting pain down your leg is suspicious for an inflammed, bruised, or 'pinched" nerve (possibly related to the contusion and the swelling that is likely present). Sometimes, there is more than just one diagnosis present.
As always, keep your personal physician or health care provider informed as your symptoms evolve or change.
Until your hip and pelvis are examined by your physician, I would recommend that you be cautious with your activity level.
~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
I forgot to answer your questions, and am really a bit confused whether I should mention pelvis or sciatica to my physician, when he returns.
In the beginning, (it's now been 10 days) the pain was in the buttock very close to the inside, and going down the INSIDE of my thigh...that went on for 4-6 days...now I can feel what I suspect to be the pinched nerve going down the outside of my leg all the way to the foot, yet that is not nearly as painful as the buttock.
I do have a terrible listing gait and limp, like a drunken sailor, which is quite upsetting to me. There are no bruises, and also no backpain...it's a bit sensitive to the touch in the cocyx region. When I first fell, I felt a lot of pain in the bottom of my pelvis...it was difficult to sit down, and I thought perhaps I'd hurt my tailbone.
I have no numbness or tingling in my right leg.
I have had many incidences of backpain in the past (I'm a 60-yr. old woman, but very active sportswise)...including sciatica about 20 yrs. ago. I seem to remember that pinched nerve hurting a great deal down the back of my thigh...don't have that feeling now. Have had backpain but have dealt with it thru yoga, not surgery, or by going to an osteopath for treatment. Thanks again.
In the beginning, (it's now been 10 days) the pain was in the buttock very close to the inside, and going down the INSIDE of my thigh...that went on for 4-6 days...now I can feel what I suspect to be the pinched nerve going down the outside of my leg all the way to the foot, yet that is not nearly as painful as the buttock.
I do have a terrible listing gait and limp, like a drunken sailor, which is quite upsetting to me. There are no bruises, and also no backpain...it's a bit sensitive to the touch in the cocyx region. When I first fell, I felt a lot of pain in the bottom of my pelvis...it was difficult to sit down, and I thought perhaps I'd hurt my tailbone.
I have no numbness or tingling in my right leg.
I have had many incidences of backpain in the past (I'm a 60-yr. old woman, but very active sportswise)...including sciatica about 20 yrs. ago. I seem to remember that pinched nerve hurting a great deal down the back of my thigh...don't have that feeling now. Have had backpain but have dealt with it thru yoga, not surgery, or by going to an osteopath for treatment. Thanks again.
Thank you for your exhaustive comment, and also your sympathy. I will follow your advice, see my dr.who will return on Thurs., quit taking pain medication, and try to become more active, tho that's the hardest of all.
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