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What Can Be Done After Injury To The Leg Leading To Severe Pain Throughout The Back Of One Leg Causing Difficulty In Lifting It Or Walking?
Posted on
Fri, 13 Apr 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 13 Apr 2018
Answered on
Tue, 8 Aug 2023
Last reviewed on
Question : My left leg went way out sideways on icy surface, and I herd a cracking ,or ripping muscle noise ,and hard pain
This happened over a month ago, and the back side of my whole leg hurts a lot , no strength in this leg, hard to walk or lift this leg.
This happened over a month ago, and the back side of my whole leg hurts a lot , no strength in this leg, hard to walk or lift this leg.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
As it has been a month since your injury and you are having a decrease in strength, it's time to go in to have your injury evaluated.
The first thing is your doctor will do an exam of range of motion and muscle strength of different muscle groups. It may be that there was a tear or there may have been nerve damage, although often with nerve damage there is burning type sensation or pain.
Next, depending on where the injury is in your leg (what type of structure - muscle, ligament, nerve), your doctor may recommend a course of physical therapy for strengthening, or may want imaging studies. He/she may start with a plain X-ray to get the lay of the land, but X-rays do not show detail for soft tissue injuries. So then an MRI is helpful as it can detail muscles and other soft tissues.
In the meantime, your doctor will likely give you something for pain. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen are helpful for decreasing inflammation and pain but should be used with caution if you have a history of stomach ulcers or certain other medical problems. Acetaminophen with an opiate is an alternative but anytime an opiate is used, should only be for a very short time. If there is muscle spasm, a muscle relaxant such as Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) can help, but can be sedating.
I hope this provides the information you are looking for. Please let me know if I can provide further explanation.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
As it has been a month since your injury and you are having a decrease in strength, it's time to go in to have your injury evaluated.
The first thing is your doctor will do an exam of range of motion and muscle strength of different muscle groups. It may be that there was a tear or there may have been nerve damage, although often with nerve damage there is burning type sensation or pain.
Next, depending on where the injury is in your leg (what type of structure - muscle, ligament, nerve), your doctor may recommend a course of physical therapy for strengthening, or may want imaging studies. He/she may start with a plain X-ray to get the lay of the land, but X-rays do not show detail for soft tissue injuries. So then an MRI is helpful as it can detail muscles and other soft tissues.
In the meantime, your doctor will likely give you something for pain. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen are helpful for decreasing inflammation and pain but should be used with caution if you have a history of stomach ulcers or certain other medical problems. Acetaminophen with an opiate is an alternative but anytime an opiate is used, should only be for a very short time. If there is muscle spasm, a muscle relaxant such as Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) can help, but can be sedating.
I hope this provides the information you are looking for. Please let me know if I can provide further explanation.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
Do you think that I will need surgery to repair the damage on my leg ??
Thank you.
Do you think that I will need surgery to repair the damage on my leg ??
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It will take a physical exam to be able to assess what deficits there are. In most cases a trial of PT, as well as an MRI, and consult with an orthopedic doctor, are required before determining whether surgery will be needed. So it's hard to say as I can't examine your leg. But it is time to get an evaluation started. You can see your primary doctor to start with, or, if you have seen an orthopedic doctor in the past, and your insurance allows, you can go directly to him or her to get the ball rolling.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It will take a physical exam to be able to assess what deficits there are. In most cases a trial of PT, as well as an MRI, and consult with an orthopedic doctor, are required before determining whether surgery will be needed. So it's hard to say as I can't examine your leg. But it is time to get an evaluation started. You can see your primary doctor to start with, or, if you have seen an orthopedic doctor in the past, and your insurance allows, you can go directly to him or her to get the ball rolling.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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