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What Causes Radiating Pain In Lower Back, Ankle And Feet?
Posted on
Fri, 29 Jul 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 29 Jul 2016
Answered on
Tue, 16 Aug 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I had a MRI done 7/27.I went to a er on 7/14 They said I had sciatica. I went to a orthopedic dr.& he gave me a script for MRI.The dr.at imaging told me I had herniated disc and don't lift or do anything that could cause it to rupture.I see the orthopedic dr.on 8/3.I can't sit & I can only walk for about 5 min.Is this normal I am getting up every hour at least to move , go to bathroom etc the pain if I stay on feet too long is bad when I lie down the pain goes down lower back to ankle after about 4 min. It stops but not all the way.is there anything I can take til I see dr.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
You have already have had the best diagnostic test to make the diagnosis so you should feel reassured about that .
Regarding management it consists in pain medication which I suppose were given at the ER (anti-inflammatory painkillers like naproxen, ibuprofenetc) and physical therapy sessions. That is all that is recommended as first step. Most people improve by that alone but that may take several weeks.
In resistant cases the next step is usually local injections of corticosteroids and analgesics. If that doesn't work then depending on imaging findings surgery may be considered. These invasive measures though are tried only after 4-6 weeks of non-improvement.
So frustrating as it may seem at this stage there is not much else that you can do apart from going to the scheduled appointment (there I suppose you will get a prescription for physical therapy as well). At the ER they wouldn't be able to do more for you then giving pain medication.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
You have already have had the best diagnostic test to make the diagnosis so you should feel reassured about that .
Regarding management it consists in pain medication which I suppose were given at the ER (anti-inflammatory painkillers like naproxen, ibuprofenetc) and physical therapy sessions. That is all that is recommended as first step. Most people improve by that alone but that may take several weeks.
In resistant cases the next step is usually local injections of corticosteroids and analgesics. If that doesn't work then depending on imaging findings surgery may be considered. These invasive measures though are tried only after 4-6 weeks of non-improvement.
So frustrating as it may seem at this stage there is not much else that you can do apart from going to the scheduled appointment (there I suppose you will get a prescription for physical therapy as well). At the ER they wouldn't be able to do more for you then giving pain medication.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
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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