Anyone suffered undiagnosed sciatica?

Question

Its started almost three years ago and Im at my wits end. It first came on shortly after running a half marathon. My symtoms included pain on sitting on my left buttock, extremely tight left hamstring, pain behind my left knee and the underside of my thigh. Sometimes shooting pain down my left leg. I have been to see an orthopedic surgeon, physiotherapist and an osteopath and nobody can tell me whats wrong. I have even had mri scans on my pelvis and lower back and a nerve test, nothing has showed the cause. My left buttock is tender during massage but the pain behind my left thigh stops me from running and walking the dog. Im only 36, I dont want to give up exercise completely. Can anybody give me any advice please?

I left out the chiropractor.. went to see one of those too.. no good. and the pain is all on the left side. In fact iv had plantar faciitis just before this flared up.. that was on left side too, but thats cleared up. All my injuries happen on my left side for some reason. There is no real difference in length between both legs though.

Answer 1

Get some regular physiotherapy, as in every week and continue to do the exercises they teach you twice a day. This will help.

My boyfriend paid for private physio at a gym and did the exercises as instructed and improved enough for him to continiue going to the gym and even to go snowboarding again.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

It sounds as though you have tried my suggestion already for massage. I'm assuming that it was medical massage and not the relaxtion type. I would do it on a regular basis though. My next suggetion would be a chiropractor. I have had a similar experience although I had not been to a doctor for diagnosis. Took matters into my own hands and went and saw a chiropractor which helped a lot! I now use massage therapy, but won't be afraid to see a chiro. again.

I had lower back/ hip pain with a tightness in my knee and going down the back if my leg with numbness in my toes when standing in one spot too long. Most of my symptoms have disappered with the exception of the occasional lower back pain which is due to my job. I try and keep that at bay with massage therapy.

Answer 4

I've been battling sciatica for close to a decade, after a minor car accident, and I had tried everything the doc threw at me�pills, injections, special mattresses� This guide was extremely eye opening and within one week of the regimen you gave me I can barely feel any discomfort. You have no idea how much of a relief it is to be finally getting rid of a pain I've had to bear for so many years.

Sciatica Exercise Guide?

Answer 5

I have suffered with this problem for four years and have been on Co-Codamol painkillers. The problem is caused by a nerve making contact with the cartilage in the lower spine. This does not always show up on MRI or X-ray scans. Steroid injections given one every three months can solve the problem. Most GPs would advise against surgery.

Answer 6

I dont see how it can be sciatica,if you have had scans they would know if it was that...sciatica is a misplaced disc sitting on the sciatic nerve so it would have shown up.

I had it for years really bad,I found out it was the office chair I sat in that was causing it,i still get it occasionally but not as bad as before.

Its horrendously painful,I really feel for you if thats what it is,mine was eventually cured by a wonderful osteopath I found.

Answer 7

I have a pain problem that is on the left side of my body and to be honest I am so glad that it just on the one side.I love to walk, it is like breathing to me, I still do it but know that I am going to suffer for it. It could be worse.

Answer 8

Was the orthopaedic surgeon a specialist in spinal probs? If not go back to your GP and ask for a referral to a spinal surgeon. I did eventually (I had to pay £200 for the first consultation), but it was worth it.

Answer 9

Go to a chiropractor, I had this problem on and off for 10 years its now getting better.