Sciatica, Leg Pain, Radiculopathy
Posted on: Sun, 09/21/2008 - 22:31
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Anyone experience pain in their calf ?
Hello,
I know that I have a herniated disc that is impinging on the right L4 nerve root. My symptoms have been moslty numbness, tingling, and cold sensation on the top of my right foot.
I also have pain through my right knee.
I have low back pain that radiates into the right butt cheek.
Where I have little oR no pain is my right thigh.
For the past five days I have had a constant pain in my right calf. It feels like a cramp, but nothing I do makes it go away.
I am wondering if this can be a symptom of the pinched nerve?
Other issues in the low back are severly inflamed facet joints at L4 / L5 and L5 / S1.
One thing I am considering is a blood clot since I am less than two weeks post-op for neck ACDF. In looking at symptoms for a clot I am not sure it fits the criteria.
About all I have is the pain and a slight swelling as compared to my left calf.
_____________
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, surgeon, physicians assistant, nurse, pharmacist, pharmacist technician, physical therapist, chiropractor, biomedical engineer, dentist, dental hygienist, psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, dermatologist, herbalist, massage therapist, midwife, obstetrician, optometrist, paramedic, podiatrist, audiologist, or medical examiner. All of my posts are for entertainment purposes only.
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It could be related to the pinched nerve but why not get it checked out by your Doctor. And if you have TED stockings wear them. You need leg dopplers ultrasound to rule out a clot and ct chest or VQ scan. Watch for changes in your breathing and really you may consider a trip to the ER to get checked out. Wishing you well. Charry
L5-S1 herniated disc with tear with disc material in contact with S-1 nerve. 3 Epidurals. Facet joint injections and last epidural on Dec. 6. DDD C5-C7 osteoarthritis hyperextension of cervical spine. Off work 10 months due to pain.
MS Contin,Flexeril,celebrex,Lyrica,wellbutrin,lasix,amitriptyline,Oxazepam
Is your leg discolored at all? Does it feel hard? Is the pain staying the same, or is it getting worse? How swollen is it? Have you been doing ankle pumps to keep the blood circulating in your leg?
I have had a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) which then led to pulmonary embolisms. Please be sure to watch for any signs of it worsening, or shortness of breath, like charry suggested. Just to be safe, I think you should call your surgeon and ask him to check it out tomorrow. And please keep us posted. Hopefully it isn't anything serious, but since blood clots can be life threatening, your doctor needs to check you out, in my opinion.
Good luck.
Cindy
Feb 2006 did something really stupid and injured my neck. After all sorts of conservative treatments, I had a 3 level ACDF C5 to T1. Complications from that surgery led to partial paralysis and a long battle to get back to where I am today. Unfortunately, I did not fuse correctly. May 08 I had a revision to the surgery, including both the anterior and posterior approach, 2 vertebrectomies, and much titanium in my neck. I am still taking it day by day as I learn to deal with the residual effects of the spinal cord injury and permanent nerve damage. I'm here to offer support and encouragement to all the newcomers. Feel free to PM me if you want to.
No redness, or any other discloration. No hardness. I measured the circumfrance with a string (
) and it is just slightly larger than my left calf. Pain is a bit less in the morning when I wake up, but then gets worse as the day goes on.
I will have it checked out. Thanks
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, surgeon, physicians assistant, nurse, pharmacist, pharmacist technician, physical therapist, chiropractor, biomedical engineer, dentist, dental hygienist, psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, dermatologist, herbalist, massage therapist, midwife, obstetrician, optometrist, paramedic, podiatrist, audiologist, or medical examiner. All of my posts are for entertainment purposes only.
frustrated--I would call the surgeon or even your PCP and see what to do next. I had a DVT with a pulmonary embolism (PE) post op and I can't remember the exact date now but it was maybe 2 weeks out or so.
I had cramping like a charlie horse in my right calf. I kept trying to walk it off and increase eating bananas. I had a small red dot there and as the week went on, it looked like a circle of red had surrounded this spot. Almost like a line of red encircled this spot. But I could hardly walk on it and had to use a walker. I had to limp.
My right ankle was ever so slightly swollen than the left. No one could tell but I could tell it was just a little larger. The PE was just 1 small attack of losing my breath. Real quick and painless. Lasted maybe a few seconds..But I remember thinking to myself that I might die mentally and I told myself to stop thinking crazy thoughts.
It was my PCPs office who diagnosed me by phone and to go to ER. The NS office did not seem to know and told me to see my PCP. I won't go into the ER experience.
I ended up in the cardiac ICU and left the hopsital after 1 week there.
This is not to say that you have a blood clot...But I wanted to give you an idea of what I experienced. I would call your drs and see what they say or if they want to see you. Take care...jade
My right calf is so tight in the morning. I can't stand it! My right leg feels about 3 inches shorter. It loosens up eventually, but still doesn't feel right. I don't have sciatica pain anymore, but I have this. My doctor was worried about a possible clot after surgery, so I had a doppler US. Everything is fine. He believes that this has to do with my Sciatica. I also still have numbness in my right foot on the side and heel. BUT, I can walk, I can sit, and I can sleep at night! So, I feel like I am a success! I don't think that I will be 100% ever again, but at least I am living again!
Robin
L5S1 Disk Herniation
July 21, 2008 Microdiscectomy
Just had an appointment today with lumbar spine doctor. He is a bit perplexed as I had an epidural on the right L4 with no relief.
He says that an issue in my right calf would be L5 and a six month old MRI says nothing there but white hot (inflamed) facet joints.
He thinks the calf pain may be related to my knee issue I had surgery for.
I never got to ask him, but are epidurals 100% accurate when used? I do not think so. I am frustrated with the progress there.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, surgeon, physicians assistant, nurse, pharmacist, pharmacist technician, physical therapist, chiropractor, biomedical engineer, dentist, dental hygienist, psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, dermatologist, herbalist, massage therapist, midwife, obstetrician, optometrist, paramedic, podiatrist, audiologist, or medical examiner. All of my posts are for entertainment purposes only.
frustrated- so the dr was not sure? Was this the surgeon for the neck? Just curious as the surgeon may have another opinion..take care..jade
Jade,
Different doctor. This one has been doing the injections. What is complicated is the lumbar and knees are an admitted work comp injury, and the cervical is a denied work comp injury (work comp says I aggravated a 19 year old injury
)
I am having to cover the cervical issues with my major medical and the NS for that might not want to give his opinion on the lumbar / leg issues.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, surgeon, physicians assistant, nurse, pharmacist, pharmacist technician, physical therapist, chiropractor, biomedical engineer, dentist, dental hygienist, psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, dermatologist, herbalist, massage therapist, midwife, obstetrician, optometrist, paramedic, podiatrist, audiologist, or medical examiner. All of my posts are for entertainment purposes only.
I think you would need a new one. At least that's what they told me when I went in to see my neurosurgeon. As this pain is new, I think a 6 month old MRI might not show what's exactly going on.
Please to keep looking into this. Watch for other symptoms, and don't feel like you're over reacting. A clot is serious, so you need to be vigilant about this pain.
Doctors can make mistakes, and things can be overlooked. Just keep a good eye on your symptoms... k?
~My name is Amanda. I am 27 years old, married, and mother to a wonderful 2yr old boy =)
~Baby number two, due May 30, 2009
“If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell.”
~Lance Armstrong
I think you are right. It will be seven months old when I get to seeing my knee ortho. I shall mention it to see if he agrees on a new lumbar and lower leg MRI.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, surgeon, physicians assistant, nurse, pharmacist, pharmacist technician, physical therapist, chiropractor, biomedical engineer, dentist, dental hygienist, psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, dermatologist, herbalist, massage therapist, midwife, obstetrician, optometrist, paramedic, podiatrist, audiologist, or medical examiner. All of my posts are for entertainment purposes only.