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Sciatica or not?
Three weeks ago, I did some high-intensity circuit training and got muscle spasm in the right-side glute muscle (probably gluteus medium). That night I had significant pain in the front right hip that prevented me from sleeping. The next I went to see a doctor, got X-ray, and a sciatica diagnosis. Then I started limping and I couldn’t walk on the heel of the right foot (a lighter version of foot drop). I went to see a physical therapist and after evaluation, I was told I don’t have sciatica but a pinched/irritated nerve between L4-L5 doesn’t send signals to some muscles, such as gluteus medium and tibialis, resulting in muscle weakness. I was told it would take 4-6 months to recover. The interesting fact is that besides the pain the first night, I haven’t had any pain since.
Then I did MRI of the spine and the orthopedic doctor questioned that the issues are coming from the spine. He qualified the symptoms as “confusing”. He gave me some piriformis muscle stretches and suggested I do an epidural spine injection to see it will evaluate the symptoms. He also suggested I see a neurologist and if I’m cleared, do an MRI hip scan.
I do see signs of progress and walking is now easier. But if this is not coming from the spine, what other condition can produce these symptoms?
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Mine was nearly the same. Turned out to be tendonitis in the gluteus medius and minimus.
Steroid injections in the SI joint, piraformis, and hip bursa took care of the problem.
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1 Reaction@thracian Welcome to Connect. I am a spine surgery patient (cervical fusion) and have had a lot of physical therapy. I found this website with articles written for physical therapists and neurologists. There is a lumbar plexus compression syndrome that can produce similar symptoms to a spine problem that affects the legs. This article is technical, and it may give you an answer that you're looking for. I have on occasion had some sciatica, and it was not caused by a spine problem, but instead was due to muscle spasms.
https://mskneurology.com/identify-treat-lumbar-plexus-compression-syndrome-lpcs/
You may also be interested in our discussion on myofascial release. My PT does this for me and it helps a lot by releasing restrictions in tight tissue, and can release a compression point if tightness is the cause.
Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Keep up the great detective work.
Jennifer
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1 ReactionThank you. How was your condition diagnosed? I came to expect 10 min max with a doctor, with no much evaluation going on. Did you do hip MRI? Also, how long did it take to come back to normal?
Yes, they did two MRI's. They did sacrum, coccyx and hip as well as lower back.
I had to insist. The Doc was sure it was my lumbar stenosis. He was wrong!
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2 ReactionsHow was this diagnosed? Your post says “turned out to be … “. I am really interested in following my diagnosis as I am convinced that surgery is not the answer for me.
They did an MRI of the sacrum, coccyx and my buttocks.
Did the MRI show inflammation? I had an MRI due to the bilateral sciatica pain I was experiencing. They found some stenosis due to lots of inflammation. Nothing helped, until I started using a good quality magnesium citrate (400mg) and potassium citrate (1800mg) and tumeric (1850mg). Within one week (after suffering for months ) my sciatica pain disappeared and never returned. All of these supplements are excellent for inflammation. When I told my neurologist, she agreed and said magnesium is excellent for the nervous system.
I went to pain management yesterday and they confirmed my suspicion that I have sciatica. Very painful to walk and bend my right leg. Waiting on results from the MRI I had five days ago. Epidural scheduled for next Thursday. Has anyone had an epidural without sedation? I’m debating, on whether to be sedated, I don’t like shots.
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1 ReactionMe, too. Did you ever get an answer?
I went to pain management, PT twice, two epidurals, treated by chiropractor for three months, 2 months seeing an acupuncturist which helped tremendously. I saw a new podiatrist and he gave me an injection in my opposite foot. My sciatic pain subsided three days later. A long and very painful 18 month journey! This shot changed my gait which I feel contributed to no longer having sciatica.