Can I get rid of knee pain without undergoing surgery?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 30-year-old woman diagnosed with a partially dislocated disc at L5-S1. The MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) shows a posterior bulge with a focal annular tear, causing indentation of the adjacent thecal sac and abutment of the left traversing nerve root.

My back pain has improved, but I now have severe pain in my left leg radiating down to my foot. Most of the pain is inside my knee, which feels heavy, almost like a ball is stuck there. I cannot sit for more than five minutes, and I often wake up with pins and needles that ease when I start walking.

I have consulted four orthopedic surgeons, all with different opinions. I am not keen on surgery. Currently, I am taking Robinaxol-D (a combination medication belonging to the classes of muscle relaxants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and analgesics/antipyretics).

What are the best non-surgical options for this pain?
Can this intense pain be managed or relieved without surgery?
What would you recommend as the most effective treatment?

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

From your description, it seems you have two main issues:

Back pain radiating to the left leg:

This is likely caused by your L5-S1 disc bulge pressing on the left nerve root. Typically, if pain doesn’t improve with rest for a week or medications for one to two months, surgery is considered.

Some important steps you should follow strictly:

Avoid bending your back, as this worsens the pain and delays healing.
Do not lift heavy weights.
When getting up from bed, turn onto your side first before sitting up.

Following these measures consistently can help resolve the problem. Medications provide temporary relief but are not a cure.

If your leg pain does not improve despite these measures, surgery is usually the most effective option. If you prefer to avoid surgery, a nerve root block (injection) may provide relief for days to months.

2. Knee pain:

From your description, the knee pain may not be directly related to your L5-S1 disc bulge, especially if bending your knee or going up and down stairs is painful. I recommend getting your knees examined and sending the test reports for further evaluation.

Please note that this assessment is based solely on your description. A precise diagnosis can only be made after a clinical examination.

I hope this helps.

Take care.