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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 18 hours ago | Replies (7049)Comment receiving replies
<p>My Introduction</p><p>Hello, I am new to the group so need to introduce myself. I am a 61 yo female who has suffered from chronic pain for the last 3 years. I woke up one morning and was unable to bear weight on my right leg. I also had back pain at the time. I have had 3 hip replacements (two on my right and one on my left). My first thought was this is my hip. Ortho doctors have taken x rays and my hip looks fine. I was given an injection in my knee (since I was also having knee pain) Then went to a back doctor. I've had MULTIPLE steroid injections in my spine. From my L4 down to SI. The thought was that this was all sciatica pain. I've had PRP injections in my back and right hip. I've had 2 MRI's that show I've got disc protrusion on my LEFT side. So that doesn't seem to be the problem with my right side. I've done PT and acupuncture and NUCCA (which helps my back for sure!). I took myself to a neurosurgeon because I read about Brachioradial pruritis with cervical disc herniation which would explain the problems on my left side making my right side painful. He had not heard of this so didn't seem to care. I am now in the process of getting the Spinal Cord Stimulator trial started. It may be a bit extreme but at this point, I'm going to give it a shot. If I will be able to walk more than 30 ft without pain or be able to sleep on my right side, I'll be tickled pink. Or be able to sleep on my right I am rambling now but that's my story and I'm sticking to it! I had to retire early from my job as a result. Sounds nice, but I would really rather be working!! That's it! If anyone has any advice, I would certainly appreciate it!!</p>
Replies to "My IntroductionHello, I am new to the group so need to introduce myself. I am a..."
Thanks for your response good luck to you
Hello @bah1959, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @erikas and others. The only weight bearing pain that I've had was when I had severe gout in my right foot. I was unable to walk or stand at the time. I found some related information that may be helpful since the X-ray did not show anything but then you mentioned also having 2 MRI's so it probably rules this out - "An occult fracture is one that does not appear well on an X-ray. A possible ... Even walking, or just putting weight on your leg may cause pain." - Possible Occult Fracture: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=134&contentid=609
@jenniferhunter may also have some experience or suggestions that she can share with you based on your symptoms.
@bah1959 In your description, I don't see anything that talks about physical therapists looking at your pelvis alignment. I know from my experience, when my pelvis moves out of alignment, it effectively makes one leg "longer" and puts a lot of stress on one half of my lower back. It's exhausting to try to walk like this. It also causes sciatic pain and pain that can mimic a lumbar spine problem. This can happen when hip flexors are too tight too because that pulls the pelvis out of alignment. I've struggled with that because I could not bear weight for 3 months after I broke my ankle in May. I sat for 3 months before even trying to walk again and it pulled just trying to stand properly with good posture. It was tight enough that when I tried to walk, I was short strided because my leg wouldn't extend backward. Pelvis alignment also affects knee alignment. I know that when I feel pain on the inside of my knees, that my pelvis is off. My therapist can tell just by looking at me and how I am standing where something is misaligned. If knee misalignment is off, it puts more wear and tear on part of the joint which can lead to damage that could in time create a need for a joint replacement. That's why getting the body moving properly and in correct alignment is so important.
If you are feeling pain trying to bear weight, that pain can be generated anywhere along the path of that nerve from the spine to the leg and there are multiple places where muscles can entrap these nerves.
The other issue is that each surgery you have will create scar tissue and fascial scar tissue that restricts movement. The remedy for that is a physical therapist who does myofascial release, and this can help get a pelvis leveled in the correct position. Developing muscle strength will hold it there. With each of your specialists just looking at their piece of your puzzle, no one is looking at how things might interact on a bigger scale which is where an MFR therapist can help.
Here is a link that explains how pelvis dysfunction can create these issues. You may want to look at that before more procedures. If it helps, you may not need another procedure.
https://mskneurology.com/identify-treat-lumbar-plexus-compression-syndrome-lpcs/
Here is our discussion about MFR where there is a lot of information with links on the first few pages.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
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Bah1959 , this all sounds so familiar, I am 64 yr male , up until 2yrs ago I was very active then I had left knee replacement, well I have been in terrible pain since that surgery. Doctor said nothing was wrong EXCEPT MY PAIN, I gave up on him due to his lack of concern. I tried numerous nerve block shots, 2yrs of PT, had nerves cut around knee, then had knee revision and still stuck in pain. I have zero pain sitting or lying down but put weight on left leg and pain goes off the charts. This January I will be trying Stemwave PNS implant, trying to block the pain. Can’t wait for the day I can walk again. Stay strong & keep searching 🙏