Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My father aged 71 has severe pain in right leg accompanied with numbness in the foot. Walking increases the pain. We have visited neurosurgeon and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of spine was done. Now, doctor has advised for operation. Second opinion is requested.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com. I would like to know more details about your father's symptoms: 1. Since when he started to have pain in right leg with numbness in foot? 2. Does he also have lower back pain or pain in buttock region? 3. Does his pain get worsened during turning in bed or coughing or sneezing? 4. Has he any other medical problem likediabetes mellitus or hypertension or thyroid or heart problem, etc.? 5. What medications he is taking these days and in what dosage? 6. Has he any improvement in symptoms on those medications? 7 Also I would like to see the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. 8. Has he also underwent nerve conduction velocity (NCV) study or legs?
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Reply is as follows: Since one year, there is pain in leg and numbness started. Yes, he has lower backache and pain in buttocks as well but pain leading to numbness is more severe. Yes, he suffered with heart attack five years back and is under normal medication, now blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol are under control. There is only temporary relief because of pain killers. He did not go through any examination of legs.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. By looking at the attached photos of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), there seems significant disc bulge causing nerve roots compression in lumbar region (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The symptoms, as mentioned in your query, may be explained by the MRI findings. In such scenario, the medical management consist of medications like Pregabalin, Gabapentin, Nortriptyline, Duloxetine and muscle relaxants. Dose optimization is based on symptom relief and tolerability of medicine. To some extent, physiotherapy also help in symptom control. Patient should be instructed to avoid forward bending and weight lifting and should sleep on hard bed with thin hard mattress. If symptoms are not controlled well on medications or there is any development of weakness in leg muscles or urinary control difficulty, surgery may be considered.
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Answered byDr. Hitesh Kumar
Medically reviewed byDr. Divya Banu M
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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