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Is Stabbing Pain In The Legs Indicative Of Sciatica?
Question: I have stabbing pain in my leg mainly my thigh laying down or standing hurts very much ER Doctor said it was sciatica but that is only in the back of leg what can it be
Brief Answer:
Neuropathy which is an abnormal function of the nerves
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is a form of neuropathy.
Sciatica is a form of neuropathy which means that there is an abnormal function of the nerves.
The sciatic nerve actually comes from nerves that come out of the spine, it runs through the buttocks and into the thigh, it breaks into smaller nerves that go to the leg.
Since it starts in the spine and goes through the buttocks and thigh and sends branches to the legs- it can actually cause abnormal sensations in these areas--Buttocks, thigh, legs
There are other nerves as well.
The pain that you are describing, stabbing pain is one type of pain that can sometimes be seen in neuropathy. It can be temporary or permanent and there are different causes.
Some causes-(1)trauma eg arthritis- if there is arthritis of the back, it may be affect the nerves leaving the spine going to the thigh and leg
May compress the nerves
(2)diabetes
(3)liver and kidney disease
(4)side effect of medication
(5)low vitamin b 12 or folate
(6)thyroid disease
(7)lupus, RA
(8)neurological conditions eg stroke, ms
(9)exposure to toxins
Even it is not the sciatic nerve, based on your description, another nerve may be involved since the pain sounds nerve related.
The creams can be continued but using oral tablets would be particularly helpful eg naproxen, voltaren, ibuprofen, cataflam
If these are not effective then your doctor can prescribe medications that specifically help nerve related pain.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Neuropathy which is an abnormal function of the nerves
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is a form of neuropathy.
Sciatica is a form of neuropathy which means that there is an abnormal function of the nerves.
The sciatic nerve actually comes from nerves that come out of the spine, it runs through the buttocks and into the thigh, it breaks into smaller nerves that go to the leg.
Since it starts in the spine and goes through the buttocks and thigh and sends branches to the legs- it can actually cause abnormal sensations in these areas--Buttocks, thigh, legs
There are other nerves as well.
The pain that you are describing, stabbing pain is one type of pain that can sometimes be seen in neuropathy. It can be temporary or permanent and there are different causes.
Some causes-(1)trauma eg arthritis- if there is arthritis of the back, it may be affect the nerves leaving the spine going to the thigh and leg
May compress the nerves
(2)diabetes
(3)liver and kidney disease
(4)side effect of medication
(5)low vitamin b 12 or folate
(6)thyroid disease
(7)lupus, RA
(8)neurological conditions eg stroke, ms
(9)exposure to toxins
Even it is not the sciatic nerve, based on your description, another nerve may be involved since the pain sounds nerve related.
The creams can be continued but using oral tablets would be particularly helpful eg naproxen, voltaren, ibuprofen, cataflam
If these are not effective then your doctor can prescribe medications that specifically help nerve related pain.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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