Cimcumducted Gait - Running - L4-5 Issue?
Discussion
Posting this here more out of desperation that hope, but nothing to lose, would love to hear from anyone who has experienced similar.
My wife is a keen runner (i.e. 10's of marathons over the years and normally logs several thousand miles a year). Over the last few months she has developed a gait problem - left side only - to the point where she can no longer run.
We are weeks/months into consultants, imaging and physical therapy but struggling to confirm the suspected diagnosis of a subtle L4-5 nerve root issue. MRI shows minor annular tear next to the left root exit but no actual compression/impingement. The theory however is that running adds a little more compression and brings on the gait problem where she lacks sufficient flexion to bring the leg forward, instead it swings around and she uses her core to swing it.
This doesn't occur when walking (at speed), nor running on the spot.
She is in no physical pain.
There is some tightness in the lower back and a marked (15-20%) weakness to the left leg but professional opinion is this alone isn't sufficient to cause the issue - i.e. the leg is still plenty strong enough. This is possibly due to a pelvic stress fracture on the same side a couple of years ago (she returned to running from this OK).
So in summary, has anyone experienced a gait problem brought on by subtle nerve/disc issues at L4-5 and only experienced under certain circumstances - e.g. running - and what diagnostic tools and/or treatment helped?
My wife is a keen runner (i.e. 10's of marathons over the years and normally logs several thousand miles a year). Over the last few months she has developed a gait problem - left side only - to the point where she can no longer run.
We are weeks/months into consultants, imaging and physical therapy but struggling to confirm the suspected diagnosis of a subtle L4-5 nerve root issue. MRI shows minor annular tear next to the left root exit but no actual compression/impingement. The theory however is that running adds a little more compression and brings on the gait problem where she lacks sufficient flexion to bring the leg forward, instead it swings around and she uses her core to swing it.
This doesn't occur when walking (at speed), nor running on the spot.
She is in no physical pain.
There is some tightness in the lower back and a marked (15-20%) weakness to the left leg but professional opinion is this alone isn't sufficient to cause the issue - i.e. the leg is still plenty strong enough. This is possibly due to a pelvic stress fracture on the same side a couple of years ago (she returned to running from this OK).
So in summary, has anyone experienced a gait problem brought on by subtle nerve/disc issues at L4-5 and only experienced under certain circumstances - e.g. running - and what diagnostic tools and/or treatment helped?
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