Help for Sciatica Pain While on the trail

[gonewalkabout]

I would apreacate any advise from medical professionals or anyone who has had a similar experience. Thanks.

I had to limp off the trail due to what I refer to as Sciatica pain a over a week ago and have been stuck in Erwin since with little improvedment. The pain is deep in my check and hurts when I walk. Somtimes it cause a ponouced limp. After a long down hill almost 13 miles into Hot Springs I developed a slight limp. I zeroed and strected and it went a way. Over the 72 miles to Erwin I felt tight in the morning so I strecthed both at night and before hitting the trail. After walking half a mile or so I warm up and feel fine. This went on onto the sixth day when I limped off the trail. I been taking 800 mg of iboproflin and the emergency room droctor prscribed a crouise of oral steroids which I finished over six days yesteraday. I have rested, strecthed and done back exercise that I learned over 18 years ago for previous pain I had than. I have had a herniated Disic s5 L1 (the lowest one, I might have the wrong numbers) for 18 years and never a problem backpacking. Usally backpacking makes my back feel better. Nothing seems to work After 11 days I still have the pain with little change. Any advise would be welcome.

Thanks a head of time.

[CaseyB]

I think you mean L5-S1. Stretch-back exercises-ibuprophen-been to the doc.....sounds like you've done everything right so far. Next comes the MRI followed by the ESI, Then surgery if no relief. You might try a chiropractor, maybe one local has a decompression machine (Lordex, etc.) I had some help from one after my stuff flared up again 1+ year after my L5-S1, L4-L5 surgeries.

Make sure that all your weight is on your hips and off your shoulders. Walk slow downhill. Stretch the glute & hamstring more than the back. My beentherdonthat $0.02

[dmax]

There is a Brain and Spine center in Johnson city that you might want to check out. They took care of my L5 - S1 last year. So far everything has been good. If they can't get you in for a couple of weeks, that o.k. if you plan on going up the trail farther. When you appt. gets close, just hitch back to Erwin or Hampton TN. Good luck and I hope all works out for you.

[hammock engineer]

Go see a doctor that knows what they are doing. I ruptured my L4/L5 disc years back. I had one doctor that told me I was fine. The other a better sports medicine one said I was weeks away from walking with a drop foot for the rest of my life. Usually I am fine and only had a couple problems on my thru, but I feel your pain. Too big of a thing to chance IMHO.

[Footslogger]

It's pretty much been covered ...but aside from pain medication itself, the best remedy is stretching. There is a condition that mimics Sciatica and involved a muscle that runs from the sacrum out to the hips. This muscle (Piriformis) can tighten if overused and not properly stretched. In a small percentage of the population, the sciatic nerve runs through the fibers in this muscle. The result is something known as "Piriformis Syndrome". Physical therapists are trained to deal with this condition and can give you the stretches so that you can maintain things on your own.

Not saying that is what you have, but you might want to consider having it checked out.

'Slogger

[mkmangold]

There is a condition that mimics Sciatica and involved a muscle that runs from the sacrum out to the hips. This muscle (Piriformis) can tighten if overused and not properly stretched. In a small percentage of the population, the sciatic nerve runs through the fibers in this muscle. The result is something known as "Piriformis Syndrome". 'Slogger

I concur. Get a precise diagnosis. Sciatica can be not only from lumbar disc herniation but also direct irritation of the sciatic nerve as it exits the sciatic notch. The latter can be treated with what I call a "sciatica injection" which is toradol plus dexamethasone directly over the nerve. The former cannot but I find the chiropractor's decompression table is great for that.
Pyriformis syndrome is different altogether. PT may help but the best treatment (an actual cure in my wife's case) was direct injection of a steroid under fluoroscopy by an anesthesiologist. Which is why a precise diagnosis is mandatory.

[WILLIAM HAYES]

you may have piriformis syndrome instead of sciatica I had a very similar problem about a year ago there are a number of exercises you can do to help resolve it-dont let anyone talk you into surgery most back problems resolve themselves within about six weeks I did exercises and used a TENS Unit which you can buy over the net for about 70 bucks I will try and find a link on piriformis I have it somewhere and send it to you stay away from anti-inflammatories as much as you can and try the exercises and the TENS Unit it certainlly worked for me

[WILLIAM HAYES]

try www.medicalproductsonline.com (http://www.medicalproductsonline.com) and www.piriformissyndromecure.com (http://www.piriformissyndromecure.com) I bought the book and it was worth every penny

[WILLIAM HAYES]

forgot to tell you click on ultrasound sale on the med products page and the TENS UNIT will be the second item from the left when the page pops up hope this helps believe me I know how frustrating it can be to have this type of pain

[Footslogger]

People respond differently to TENS. Before I went that route I would get a definitive diagnosis. A competent physical therapist can isolate Piriformis Syndrome in a matter of minutes. Once you know that's what you have then you can take steps to get it under control. Top of the list though will always be STRETCHING.

That said, if you problem is a bulging/herniated disc all the piriformis stretching in the world won't help. Not all disc problem require surgery. I have been in the orthopedic field for decades and currently work at an orthopedic/sports medicine clinic. We see a lot of "sciatica" type symptoms but few of the cases are true sciatica.

Start with a professional medical assessment.

'Slogger

[WILLIAM HAYES]

Footslooger you are correct about TENS it may not be for everyone I retired from a large academic health center and my buddies in sports medicine consider it a treatment option along with stretching if it is piriformis syndrome. It worked for me .

[wakapak]

Chiropractor here chiming in. Lots of good things already said, and I concur with the thought that it possibly could be piriformis syndrome, however knowing that you have had disc issues previously, it could be that acting up again. Anyway, if you want to see a really good chiropractor who is located in Johnson City, pm me and i can give you his info. Otherwise, stretching always helps, and just know that yes ibuprofen and that stuff helps with the pain and swelling, but does not fix what is actually going on with you.
Good luck with whatever you do, hope you figure it all out soon!

[Wise Old Owl]

After all that .... nobody should complain about the value of information here at WB. (PERIOD)

[phishpapond]

I am not any kind of doctor.
I do know a few different people that swear Vitamin E is the cure.
The one person said he started taking 3-5 time a day for a week then just started take once a day.

[Mountain Maiden]

Chiropractor here chiming in. Lots of good things already said, and I concur with the thought that it possibly could be piriformis syndrome, however knowing that you have had disc issues previously, it could be that acting up again. Anyway, if you want to see a really good chiropractor who is located in Johnson City, pm me and i can give you his info. Otherwise, stretching always helps, and just know that yes ibuprofen and that stuff helps with the pain and swelling, but does not fix what is actually going on with you.
Good luck with whatever you do, hope you figure it all out soon!

I experienced similar symptoms going out of Harpers Ferry. Seemed like I had no power going uphill and my leg felt like it was dragging along behind me. Every once in awhile, a sharp pain would stop me in my tracks. fortunately, a fellow hiker--(CHIROPRACTOR) OKIE, caught up to me and performed an on-trail adjustment and I was good to go!

But, with your previous history, you may do well to seek more information and treatment....

Good Luck!

S:sun

[gonewalkabout]

Thanks to all for the information. Had an MRI done today and am waiting for the report. Here in Erwin eveyone at the hospital has been great but the town is lacking in speacialists. May just head Back up North for a few weeks for treatment and return in May. Can anyone recomand a sports medicine or rehrab droctor up in Johnson city? Thanks again

[dmax]

Watauga orthopedics and sport medicine, I think thats what its called. I've heard good things about them. They didn't do too good for my back though. They did a great job on my knee surgery. The Brain and Spine center I personnally feel is the best. Good luck!!!