Pain and numbness when walking

[davek_964]

Had this for 2-3 years, maybe longer and it's getting a bit inconvenient.

If I go for a walk, after 30 mins to an hour I will be in pain. It's a general ache, around my lower back on my left side but also feels like it includes my groin area. It feels a little similar to needing to urinate, although I don't.

In addition, when this pain occurs the top half of my left leg will be almost entirely numb - but only at the front. Back of the leg is fine, and from the knee down so is the front.

If I sit - only for as little as a minute - the feeling will return to my leg and the pain will go - which will last about 15 - 20 mins until both return.

I go to the gym a few times a week, use the treadmill and have no problems running. And if I'm lazy and walk on the treadmill it's usual ok too which is strange.

Any ideas? Mid 50s, probably a couple of stone heavier than I should be - but have had the same problem in the last few years when I wasn't carrying the extra weight.

[NDA]

I am not a doctor and the value of your savings might be at risk etc

Sounds like sciatica to me - most probably caused by a disc pressing on the nerve. Probably!

I've had it and the symptoms were pretty identical - I had an op in the end to kill the nerve, which worked very well.

I'd see a doctor if I were you and maybe get a scan.

[davek_964]

Thanks. That does seem to match.

Will book an appointment

[Slowboathome]

I would imagine the doc will suggest physio, though he or she will check for other stuff in case it's not musculoskeletal.

[NDA]

Worth passing on the details of this company:

http://www.spine-works.com

I saw Andrew Quaile (in Basingstoke) who operated on my back - very nice guy and hugely experienced. Way too early to say what's up with your back, but worth having Quaile's details - you never know!

Good luck.

[Legacywr]

I’d also say you have a problem in a joint in your back. I have had very similar. If I did a brisk walk it would come on within about 2 miles. A really achy hip, and pain in the same leg.

Mine was a legacy of being overweight and running.

Not sure when it stopped, but I can now walk 10 miles without the pains developing.

However, if I do too much walking, I’ll have problems when I get up from having been sat for a while.

[sparkyhx]

mum had similar - turned out to be aneurism in her abdomen - so yes see doctor hopefully its 'just' sciatica

[drmike37]

Is it worse walking downhill, and easier walking uphill? Your description made me think of spinal stenosis.

Edit to add: I am a doctor, just not your doctor.

[Coxey]

Inguinal hernia?

[davek_964]

drmike37 said:

Is it worse walking downhill, and easier walking uphill? Your description made me think of spinal stenosis.

Edit to add: I am a doctor, just not your doctor.

Not that I've ever noticed.

I did realise last night that it's actually been an issue for much longer than I mentioned. I've always found it difficult to stand for any length of time - after a while, I'll be trying to find somewhere to lean against. I can't remember that ever not being the case. I'd never really thought much of it, but it is because it becomes uncomfortable.
It seems to have got worse in the last few years with walking although that might just be because I walk more often

[dobly]

Agree on seeing the doc to arrange a scan. My dad had numbness in his arms and then legs - we built a double garage base and re-did a gravel driveway whilst he waited for his doctor to take the issue seriously - turned out to be a brain stem tumour. Wouldn’t wish the next (final) few years on anyone.

[davek_964]

I did online e-consult with resulted in an appointment for a 'muscoskeletal' assessment at start of August. I have private healthcare so that may help a bit once I've had a check or two.

[NDA]

davek_964 said:

I did online e-consult with resulted in an appointment for a 'muscoskeletal' assessment at start of August. I have private healthcare so that may help a bit once I've had a check or two.

I saw Quaile on BUPA. Worth getting a scan - maybe that'll be part of the assessment.

[davek_964]

I thought I'd give an update on this, since I think there is a conclusion now.

The "musco-skeletal assessment" that I mentioned in my last post was...... a physiotherapist. And in my opinion, not a very good one. I was given a couple of exercises to do, which made no difference. For a couple of months I decided to live with it.

However, it changed slightly. The partial numbness at the front of my left thigh became constant - it is always partially numb. In addition, I started having new problems with my right hand side - mostly around the groin area. It aches / kind of feels like my hip joint is a bit stuck if I'm sitting for a while / first thing in the morning. Moving about frees it up fairly quickly.

Another visit to the doctor got me referred to a "pain clinic". Which mostly seemed to be........ physiotherapists. However, there was one doctor there that advised me to use my private health insurance for an MRI. After talking to the private health care, they arranged two MRIs - lower back, and hips.

The results of those are that I have "mild" osteo-arthritis in my hips (I got the impression it was about normal for somebody of my age - mid-50s) - but fairly severe in my lower back. And they believe this is the cause of the problems.

There is nothing the can really do - "exercise / physio will help" - so it appears to be something I have to live with. I suspect my mobility will not be great as I get older, since it already has an effect. But that's the joy of getting old I guess.

[Bill]

davek_964 said:

There is nothing the can really do - "exercise / physio will help" - so it appears to be something I have to live with.

"They" can't*, but you can. Losing weight and getting fit (cycling is good for hips and shouldn't aggravate the stenosis**) is the answer.


*Not strictly true, but doing it yourself is better for you and far less risky.

**What it sounds like...

[Vasco]

Surely, you're only in your 50s ? - seems rather young to have had these issues for some years already.

Unless you've routinely done something over the years to trigger the problems I'd be a bit wary of just accepting the situation at present. More tests possible ?