Question:
Has anyone had leg pain before surgery that was due to sacrioilaic?
Sorry if I am not spelling it right; but the doctor thinks it has to do with the weight pressing on a nerve (that travels from my back down the left leg into my calf). I have had slight pain before gaining the weight -- and yes, I have gotten heavier along with more leg/back pain. Wondering if he really is right, or if I am just built wrong or it is worsening with age (I just turned 40) lol. Thanks for reading. Julie — Julie M. (posted on October 27, 2003)
October 27, 2003
He's probably referring to the Sciatic nerve. Essentially, it does run
through the butt down the leg. Is the pain actually over the sacrum (tail
bone) or are you feeling it shooting up through your leg, like sciatic
pain? There is a muscle in the butt called the piriformis that is the
cause of MOST sciatic pain, since the nerve run through the muscle most of
the time. If there is tightness in that muscle, it impinges on the nerve
which caused the pain. If you can, try some stretches that will stretch
the muscle. Lay down, floor or bed, and try to pull your leg (while bent)
up & across your body. Easier said than done when the belly is in the
way, I know! =) You'll know what I mean, you should feel a stretch in your
butt, or try massaging the muscles in your butt, keep them loosened up. If
you feel comfortable getting a professional massage, you can request a
glut(eal) massage, and that would help. If not, you can have your
hubby/boyfriend/friend/whatever do it if you can't reach yourself. I would
imagine losing weight in that area will definately help. There will be a
lot less pressure on it. Good luck!!
— KelBurt
October 27, 2003
Hi Julie, I am very familiar with this type of pain as I have had this
since 1997. At this time, I went to my Dr. complaining of this annoying
pain in the left leg, outer calf area. As soon as I told him about it, he
said, "thats coming from you back." He sent me for an MRI and it
showed I had some problems in my back. Years later, I hurt my back again,
and this time the pain was also in my left mid buttock area. This is where
your sacro-iliac joint, (SI joint), is located. I would encourage you to
get this evaluated thoroughly, because left untreated, it only gets worse.
I don't mean to scare you or anything, but I know that kind of pain
definitely needs some attention. God BLess and I pray everything turns out
good for you.
— Myrna E.
October 27, 2003
Julie,
Before my surgery which was 8 months ago, I suffered with the shooting pain
down the leg to calf. I could barely walk and was taking all kinds of
medications and went to physical therapy, including 3x a week doing
stretching exercises in pool therapy. It all helped me manage the pain but
it didn't take it away until I had the gastric bypass and then went to a
chiropracter for treatment. And only then did the pain subside. Losing the
weight was the answer. Now mind you, mine stems from arthritis of the hip
and the hip soreness is still there and once in awhile I get a twinge of
the sciatica but no where near the pain and discomfort I had 115 lbs ago.
— janice L.
October 28, 2003
I have had trouble with my SI joint (sacroilliac) for about a year now. I
have had physical therapy and massage and it helped a lot, but I didn't
continue to go (couldn't take the time off work). The physical therapist
that i saw gave me some great exercises to do and they help a lot. Lay
flat on your back on the floor, knees bent and feet on the floor. Then put
you hands under your hips and try to push them into the floor with your
hips. Try to see if you can hold it to the count of 10 and then relax for
10 sec and then do it again for 10 sec. This feels great
— Keri P.
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