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What Causes Pain In Back And Leg In An Elderly Patient?

Posted on Thu, 12 May 2016

Question: Mom is 91. One kidney. She uses a walker. In the last month she has developed pain in side of right leg, from hip to the knee , in the knee itself, and some in the back. It also is sore some on left side of back too. And some in leg left.....It is positional mostly meaning it bothers her more when she lies down at night to sleep or if she sits too long ar one time. . She likes to sleep flat in the bed. We went to her ortho doctor 2 days ago and he did plain xray of pelvis and hip and back....and said it showed nothing . He gave a steroid shot in buttocks 2 days ago. No improvement yet so i called nurse today and nurse said... Give shot another day or two to work.... And that if it didnt they would recommend some back directed PT.... Doctor im worried about her getting PT because she is only 5 ft tall and is fragile with her previous surgeries to remove one kidney and bowell rescetion ... Years ago. Would there be other options she could use? They frown on use of nsaids because of one kidney and tylenol is not doing much help... Should we push for mri????Is ice helpful... Or heat?? What about suggestions about the PT.... Thanks!!!!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hot compress and local analgesic gel will help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain that your mother is having in the back and leg is likely to be due to osteoporosis and spondylottic changes in the spine. These can be diagnosed on an MRI scan. Since she cannot take pain killers it is better to give her oral muscle relaxants, do a hot compress and apply local analgesic gel on the area. The steroid injections do take a few days to show an effect.
Physiotherapy and regular exercise is the only way that can help in maintaining the flexibility of the spine and prevent the further progression of the problem.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

Doctor may I ask: what is a good gel for back? And I am concerned that the PT might do more harm than good because she's so small and fragile

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Volini gel will help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
She can use Volini gel. The physiotherapy is done according to the muscle strength. It improves the muscle tone. It will not cause any harm if done under expert physiotherapist.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

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