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Suggest Treatment For Trapped Nerve In The Lumbar Area
Question: I have recently recovered from a trapped nerve in the lumbar area, which caused numbness to my leg and feet, particularly on the left side. I was advised to rest and introduce exercises through physio. Now I am fully recovered, and the pain has left my back, there are still symptoms pervading down my left side such as shoulder pain, occasional shooting pain through the inner thigh, tingles and temporary numbing, and also slightly less feeling in my left leg. I also noticed my big toe on my left foot is bruised and my foot tender at the outer side, but I cannot recall doing anything that would have caused my foot to bruise or be sore. Do you think it could be that the nerve is still trapped or even damaged? I heard that there is a specialist unit at UCL for spinal issues. Is it possible, if needs be, to get a referral from the GP? My doctor tells me just to exercise, but even with exercise symptoms persist.
Brief Answer:
your recovery is incomplete, get a referral from gp
Detailed Answer:
Dear,
Welcome to hcm and thanks for choosing us. I share your concerns.
Your suspicion is correct as your recovery from trapped nerve is not complete. This is a common problem with trapped nerve. It takes longer time to recover from this. You should have continued the treatment for more time when you started feeling improvement in your symptoms. Physiotherapy (exercises) is the treatment for this. Surgery can be planned if symptoms are disturbing your daily life significantly, else painkillers and physiotherapy are generally suggested.
Regarding bruised great toe, it must be an injury. Some time in trapped nerve the limb is numb and injuries are not felt but seen later. This must have been a case with you. So now take care of injury and remain alert in future.
Generally spinal centres accept such patients directly too,(also depends on policies in a particular country) but it is always good to get a referral from gp to avoid possible denial later on.
So get a referral written from your gp for spinal centre as your recovery is still incomplete. Meanwhile keep doing the physiotherapy which has given you some relief earlier.
I hope this reply will help you. Please write to HCM or me for follow up queries. I wish you rapid recovery.
your recovery is incomplete, get a referral from gp
Detailed Answer:
Dear,
Welcome to hcm and thanks for choosing us. I share your concerns.
Your suspicion is correct as your recovery from trapped nerve is not complete. This is a common problem with trapped nerve. It takes longer time to recover from this. You should have continued the treatment for more time when you started feeling improvement in your symptoms. Physiotherapy (exercises) is the treatment for this. Surgery can be planned if symptoms are disturbing your daily life significantly, else painkillers and physiotherapy are generally suggested.
Regarding bruised great toe, it must be an injury. Some time in trapped nerve the limb is numb and injuries are not felt but seen later. This must have been a case with you. So now take care of injury and remain alert in future.
Generally spinal centres accept such patients directly too,(also depends on policies in a particular country) but it is always good to get a referral from gp to avoid possible denial later on.
So get a referral written from your gp for spinal centre as your recovery is still incomplete. Meanwhile keep doing the physiotherapy which has given you some relief earlier.
I hope this reply will help you. Please write to HCM or me for follow up queries. I wish you rapid recovery.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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