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What to do to relieve the pain in the leg?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have had pain in my left leg for the past five days. My pain is severe making me unable to walk and originates from the back and moves to the ankle of leg pain. I have consulted a doctor and got treatment for the last six days but no relief. Although previously also I was facing pain but was not so severe. I have pelvic traction of 15 pounds with 154 pounds body weight and my doctor prescribed me the tablet Prelyca NT (Pregabalin and Nortriptyline); tablet Etova MR (Etodolac and Thiocolchicoside); and tablet STCAL. My MRI finding depicts lumbar spondylosis, diffuse disc bulge at L4/5 causing moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing and cauda equina impingement, mild diffuse disc bulge at L3/4 causing mild bilateral foraminal narrowing, right posterolateral disc bulge at L5/S1 causing right foraminal narrowing, and posterior annulus tear at L4/5 and L5/S1 level. Please advise me on medication that can relieve my pain.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. But there is no role of pelvic traction in your ailment. It was used earlier but not nowadays. The medications given to you are correct but I feel the dose can be increased to relieve the symptoms. So, I recommend you should consult your doctor and increase the dose of Pregabalin up to 600 mg gradually. It will be helpful if you can answer some more questions like,

  1. Is there any difficulty while urination?
  2. Are you able to stand on heels and toes?

    3. Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your concern. I have no difficulty while urinating and I am able to stand on both legs but not for a long time, but I am unable to walk. Please advise me on medication or any exercises if any.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for answering, it is helpful. I will recommend you consult your doctor first and then

  1. Stop taking tablet Calcium as there is no role for it.
  2. Go for tablet Etova MR (Etodolac and Thiocolchicoside) 40 mg once a day for four weeks to relieve your back pain.
  3. Go for a plain capsule of Pregabalin 75 mg twice daily. if no relief occurs then increase the dose to two capsules twice a day and if still, pain occurs then increase the dose to three capsules twice a day, if still no relief then four capsules twice a day (as the maximum dose one can have is 600 mg per day). Try to reach a dose where you get relief.

Now I suggest you to have three things in mind.

  1. Walk regularly on daily basis, as then initially starting with the distance you are comfortable and then increase gradually as you get relief. Try to target 4 km per day.
  2. There are chances to get dizziness and giddiness on increasing the dose. So, contact the doctor soon if such symptoms appear.
  3. There are chances that you may not get any relief even on a full dose. For that cases, two more medications can be prescribed if no relief occurs.
  4. So, start the treatment regimen after consulting the doctor and you will get nearly 80 to 85 % response.

Keep us informed about the progress.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for answering. Please advise, if any exercise or physiotherapy is required. How to sit on the chair and for how long? I am using a waist belt which gives me relief while seating and walking. Actually, I am scared that the present doctor told me for an operation if not recovered within a month. He had advised for pelvic traction for 3 hours per day. Now, I have stopped taking traction and going to take medicine as the doctor advises. Please help me.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I will suggest you to,

  1. Take care of the posture and sit while taking support.
  2. Do not sit for more than 40 minutes in a particular position.
  3. I think for physiotherapy you can take SWD (short wave diathermy)/IFT (inferential therapy) for your back pain and TENS (trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) for your leg pain.
  4. Keep doing some stretching exercises but walking is more important exercises.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for answering. I consulted my doctor and started with Pregabalin 75 mg twice a day, and have stopped taking other medications. I am also following your advice to walk regularly as much as I can. I will report to you my progress.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com

Thank you for showing us your trust and reporting your progress.

Answered byDr. Anuj Gupta

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At June 4, 2023
Reviewed AtOctober 17, 2023

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Anuj Gupta
Dr. Anuj Gupta

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