Is pain and weakness in the knee while walking associated with multiple sclerosis?

Hello doctor,

I have been referred to a neurologist by the general practitioner but the appointment is six weeks away and I am worried.I would like to know if this sounds like multiple sclerosis (MS) and what scans I might likely to have? The complaint started with numbness in the distribution of the femoral nerve two weeks ago. Now with some pain and weakness in the knee while walking. Thigh pain when stretched back, lower back pain. There are no hard neurological signs in me. Lower limbs reflexes are normal. SLR (straight leg raising) test is 90 in both legs. I have some subjective altered sensation around left knee and further down in the left leg. I have soreness in left hip at night and hot and cold sensations around the leg and behind the knee. I have had on and off hip pain since my first pregnancy, eight years ago. I have three children and younger one is 1.5 year old. Please help.

Thank you doctor,

I am going for a lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tomorrow and hope this will confirm just that. I had to push for this from my general practitioner as she seemed to think that it was not this due to reflexes being good, movement good, I think. And because she thought it should be gone after two or three weeks if it was trapped nerve. So when she said it could be neurological and wanted to consider multiple sclerosis (MS) or related, I was aghast. And have been so anxious I am imagining all sorts of symptoms. I really hope it is a bulging disc or related. Do you think that could account for cold tingles in wrists or hands? I think I will sleep better tonight.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply. I have no bulging disc after a lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). I was able to see a neurologist last week. She said extremely unlikely to be ms as numbness in L4 distribution only. She examined me etc but no brain MRI. I am just contacting you for some reassurance regarding multiple sclerosis (MS). I suffer from anxiety and I have got myself in a panic over my symptoms again. Currently, I am having physio for nerve tethering in the left thigh (part of my femoral nerve). My numbness hasn’t subsided as yet and getting a lot of hot sensations and mild electric shock-type feelings in my calf and thigh. Some pain around the knee. No pain in my back or hips at the moment. I know this can take a long time to come right but what is bothering me is that I am feeling tingling/slight numbness in my right fingers and right toes. Slight numbness in the sole and slight tingly shocks in the right calf and lower right arm. I think I have a little sensation around my forehead! I think I’ve had these symptoms before but always put it down to anxiety. It’s only that I have this problem with my left leg that I am getting into a tizzy. I also have tinnitus but get this all the time on and off. I should also mention that I lost my dad a year ago to cancer and my mother thinks my bereavement might be at play here. Sorry to be asking you again, I know that these are all probably anxiety symptoms but my mind is running riot since the doctor mentioned me (plus googling), and feel I need your opinion again.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for your reply. Do you mind saying why you think it is not multiple sclerosis (MS)? I am feeling very concerned about this in particular.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply. That is the sort of information I needed to help mine over anxious mind. I feel I need more information than most for reassurance. My neurologist has not given me so much detail. That’s what’s feeding my doubt I think. Although she feels ms is not the problem, since giving her extra info the same as I gave you, she thinks I should have an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan to give definitive no to multiple sclerosis (MS). She thinks it’s the only true way I’ll be reassured. I am so worried in the meantime and have the worst anxiety I have ever had about this. Since the other day, my right hand and right foot feel horrible burning/tingling/numbness, especially around the knuckles and little finger. Also unusual numbness sensation (although different from the left leg) top of the foot to the knee and top of the hand and forearm. It sort of comes and goes. I feel generally sensitive all over. I do not feel any loss of strength and am walking fine etc. I am so sorry to be asking for some reassurance about MS again but I have never felt such horrible symptoms before and I am hoping it is all anxiety based on the ms seed that was put in my head. I am sure once I have my brain MRI my anxiety will lift. Wish it was today.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Thankfully, my general practitioner (GP) interpreted the results as completely fine and as you can see, the neurologist has dispatched the scan and report to me. I suppose I am seeking some definite closure from you regarding multiple sclerosis (MS). It seems crazy but because I still have unexplained/uninvestigated symptoms, my mind bounces back to multiple sclerosis (MS) (or should I say - I searched for numbness, etc and MS pops up). I have developed Ulnar syndrome in my right hand (GP says symptoms are definite - ring and little finger burning/numbness edge of the hand. Other fingers totally fine. Sore forearm, upper arm, and elbow.) My leg symptoms as described before are still the same - pain in the knee when I crouch and numbness in the knee and bottom leg inside - stops at the ankle. I am getting slight numbness around my nose and lips which comes and goes. I believe this is stress from all the worry this year about health. When I searched for Ulnar Entrapment with multiple sclerosis (MS) etc it pops up and the fear sets in again. I know I shouldn't do this but I need reassurance from a Neurologist that these symptoms aren't related to MS and that it hasn't been missed in a scan. I promise that I am not a neurotic person normally, people would describe me as very level-headed and laid back. I just can not seem to think logically regarding this matter since the MS seed was planted. My anxiety has decreased dramatically since my brain scan results but it pops up now and again when my symptoms annoy me and I make the mistake of turning to the internet. My GP has told me about it. He thinks that my arm and leg symptoms are similar - and due to wear and tear possibly. I was a dancer in my younger years and have had physical jobs since as well as three children.