Hi Dr. This past January I was snowboarding and had fallen multiple times causing trauma to my tailbone/lower back. For about a week it hurt to sit and relieve pressure too. About a week after that pain began to go away I started to notice a tingling almost electric feeling in my left buttocks. I would also notice it on my inner left side front side of my left knee and shin and sometimes in my toes. It is not painful just something I have become aware of and more like a nuisance . It was better for a while then I must have slept funny then it began to act up again. I am still experiencing these feeling randomly. Sometimes I notice this in my right leg too. My questions are as follows: 1) Is it likely that these sensations are caused by my original trauma to my back? 2) Is it uncommon for those sensations to start happening a week after the original trauma occurred? 3) Do you recommend I see a neurologist for a complete work up? It is not debilitating so I am not sure if there is anything that can be done or if it is even worth getting it looked at. 4) What do you recommend would help eliminate these sensations? (Stretches)
2015-02-05 11:12:01
Hi! The areas you describe are supplied by the lumbar spinal nerves L2 3 4 and to some extent L5 (the inner thigh knee shin and toe areas) and the sacral nerves (especially the buttock area). This could be caused by a slipped disc in the lower back due to the fall or may be a stretched nerve or a nerve compressed in the muscles due to injury. This can be diagnosed by MRI nerve conduction studies and EMG. Yes it is possible to first get pain and then when the inflammation reduces the pain becomes less. This is when you realize there are other problems such as tingling etc. Treatment usually involves complete bed rest for the first few days. During this time pain killers are given. After an initial period of 3-4 days of rest and painkillers physiotherapy is started. Spinal manipulation traction back exercises massage etc are done. The symptoms could also be due to combination of pinched nerves and muscle injury. However as confirmed diagnosis is not possible on net please do not start any treatment at home except may be take a pain killer. Please take things easy until you can see a doctor. Hope you get well soon! Good Luck and take care!
2015-02-05 11:12:34
