thigh pain and lower back pain

[michaelovitch]

Can anything be done to alleviate the pain which can be intense?
I was diagnosed as having spondylitis years ago.
I swim three times a week and am the right weight for my height.
Age: 73
Left side only.


This discussion is related to Chronic Thigh Pain.

[jaept]

I am a physical therapist for 15 years and work with people with your symptoms on a daily basis.  Because of your age, you most likely have degeneration of the discs in your spine which causes the vertebrae to approximate one another more closely.  This causes the holes (foramina) that the nerves come out of to become smaller and then cause irritation and inflammation.  It is also possible that there may be bone spurs (osteophytes) that also protrude into these foramen that irritate the nerves.  The more irritated and inflamed the nerve is, the more symptoms you feel away from your back (in the buttock, hip or leg).  These findings can all be found on a A-P and lateral x-ray of your lumbar spine.  Regardless, a diagnostic test does not need to be performed to prescribe or undergo appropriate treatment.  A physical therapist can do a thorough evaluation of your spine range of motion, your strength, any neurological findings and a functional assessment.  In 49 states you can go to a PT without a referral from your physician.  The PT will then prescribe you a specific set of exercises, flexibility and strengthening for your condition.  Other modalities that can be helpful to reduce your pain might be heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and soft tissue work.  Lumbar traction is also helpful in temporarily reducing the compression of the irritated nerves and therefore allowing a decrease in inflammation and pain.  Multiple traction treatments can be very effective along with other exercises your PT may prescribe.  Specifically, someone of your age might find an increase in pain with standing and walking and a decrease in pain with sitting.  Swimming freestyle (crawl), and breaststroke may further irritate your condition by putting you in an extended position further compressing these nerves.  You can still swim, but discuss options with a physical therapist.  I encourage you to look for an orthopedic physical therapist who works with the spine in your locale.  Good luck!

[txsilver]

Hi there, a fellow spondy here.  D gave you some great advice about the pillows.  I have a bunch of them and push them where ever I need them to gert comfy so I can rest.

What treatment does your doc have you on?  Is he giving you anything for the pain?  I know when mine gets really bad I can go get steroid injections and they give me relief for months.

The swimming is EXCELLENT exercise for spondys and they say you have to stay active.

[Dnmh]

You can try lying on a supportive mattress, on your right side, with a pillow between your bent knees. You may have to adjust the degree of bend and position of you knees to get the best results. Try to avoid laying on the left since that is where the pain is. (This was the advice my PT ave me, and it does help) Ice acks can also bring some comfort as well as mild bending to the right - or opposite if where the pain is. This is meant to relieve the pressure.
Hope this helps and Best Of Luck!
D.