Orthepaedic

[dojeanne]

I have back pain going into my left leg down to my toes.

[abhijeet v ghosh]

hi dojeanne,
i am very happy to see that you were satisfied with my response.
Ideally i would had advised you MRI but since you have a pacemaker, it's better to go for a MDCT(Multi-directional CT scan) preferable with a  64 slice CT  scan machine.This is a better machine as compared to conventional CT scan.
And you cn take a total of 3 epidural steroid injections in your back at 1 month interval.Not more than that.
Once your MDCT is over, do tell me the report. And do meet a spine specialist also.
You are free to ask me more,
regards
abhijeet

[dojeanne]

Thank all of you for answering  Do you think I should go for arthorscopy?
1-6 months ago and progressively getting worse..
2-not really
3-retired hairdresser
4-mostly at night
I also get terrible cramping in my leg and feet (left leg) My whole left side and lower back is where the pain is constantly.
I have a pace maker implanted. since 2004 there for I cannot get an mri..
what is  the alternative?
I had one epidural only lasted a month..

[abhijeet v ghosh]

hi dojeanne,
back pain going to the left leg to the toes signifies a slip disc (IVDP=Inter vertebral disc prolapse). One of the easiest method to detect it's severity is to do a straight leg raising test (SLRT), where , while lying on the back, you lift you affected leg as straight as possible, preferably with other person's help. If you can do it upto 90 degrees, it will mean an insignificant prolapsed disc.But a test with less than 45-60 degrees of SLRT shows a significant disc prolapse.
Duration of your complaint does matter in these case. X-ray will detect a decrease of disc space in the affected region, if significant.
If this pain is caused by some acute episode (some strenuous work upto 1-2 days prior to appearance of pain), is should subside with anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants.However if it's persisting for a longer duration, you will definately need a MRI scan.
So, if possible can you give me few details -
1)Duration of Pain.
2)Any Strenuous activity history?
3)Your profession
4)When does the pain comes (variations, etc).
Hope i am clear in the description.
take care,
bye
abhijeet

[kirb_dude1]

probably a slipped disc impeding on a nerve, probably isnt ruptured shes right go get an x-ray and an MRI... but depending on the size of herniation(if any) i wouldnt just jump into surgery, after the tests maybe get a chiropractic evaluation.

[Mamta25]

Hi dojeanne,
Could you please tell if it is a simple pain or a tingling numbness sensation? If so you need to go to your doctor and get an X-ray or MRI done. If it is a tingling numbness sensation, there is a probability that you have a nerve involved which must be compressed. What i would recommend you at this point of time is that do not make it too late.
Thanx,
Regards,
Mamta





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