Could this be Spinal Stenosis or Circulation?

[Poobah]

I have a history of back problems.  Had surgery 4 yrs ago for a herniated disc L5-S1.  After surger everything was great.  This last year I had back pain again.  This time different.  No Sciatic leg pain, but when my back would hurt (after doing any kind of housework) I would lose strength in my legs for a second, and felt like I was going to fall.  In fact a couple of times I did.
Now that the weather is warmer, I have no more back pain, BUT I have problems walking.  My right knee is aching, and when I start walking, my leg below the knee (shin area) aches too.  Also I have a numb feeling on the bottom of my foot.  When I quit walking, I have to put my leg up on a chair for a few minutes and then the pain will calm down.  Also when I am driving sometimes, my right leg hurts when putting my foot on the accelerator or brake.  At rest, I was not having any pain, but now am in my knee and lower leg.

Could this be spinal stenosis?  Or could it be circulation?  

By the way, I am 48 yrs old.  Also the pain is basically the same if I walk up or downhill.

My dr keeps giving me anti-inflammatories.  But I want answers.

Please respond, thanks.

[Poobah]

Hello,

My pain (I think) is the same going up and going down hill. I am not 100% sure.  I will take notice the next time I take a walk. And I only have to walk 10 meters before I start feeling pain.   I have pain when standing for short or long periods of time.  When sitting, sometimes my knee area aches and I have to extend it and put it up on a chair.  But it is much better when sitting down.  I have no pain from the hip down to the knee.  It is the knee and the anterior part of my lower leg.  Also I feel tingling in the heel of my foot.  I do not have cold or blue toes...either...

When I had my herniated disc L5/S1, the pain was sciatic and went down the whole BACK side of my leg.  I was not able to sit down, and had trouble standing for long periods of time.  Now, I have no pain in back of the leg, but in front, and only from the knee down.  

Hope this helps

[Poobah]

Thank you for your advice.  I didn't know that vitamin B could help.  I will try that immediately.  

I think the best thing for me to do is have my Dr first order an MRI, then send me to the specialist that I need to see.  If it is circulatory, I wouldn't need a neurologist would I?  Would they be able to see if it was a circulation problem with an MRI?  Or should I get a Doppler done also?

I think what I was wanting to know is if my symptoms seemed to be stenosis or not, so I wouldn't be embarassed asking the Dr about getting some tests done.  He tends to keep me on anti-inflammatory meds, but never orders any tests.  IF I have a circulatory problem, it could even be life-threatening.  That is what gets me.

Thank you again for your timely response!

[Zak_Han]

hi,here,Do you have increased pain walking downhill as opposed to uphill?Do your  pain usually is worse while walking and  feel better after sitting down?How many yard you walking then start feeling aches?
Of course,As with CSS, MRI is the best imaging procedure, though unlike with CSS, CT may be somewhat useful, and can be used if MRI is unavailable.
Take care!

[DrNavneetMD]

Hello Dear,
You should see a neurologist and get a MRI done to know the pathology.Also you can consult a physical therapist for pain management.Yoga and some muscle strengthening exercises would help you.Vitamin B complex supplementation can be taken.Spinal stenosis cannot be ruled out as your symptoms resemble the pathology,so get it evaluated
Best