Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 11/24/2008

Question
About 3 weeks ago I began having a tingly sensation in my left leg on the thigh.  The sensation was only aggrevated by light touch.. for instance pants rubbing against it.

Within a few days the leg felt like it was asleep, and over the course of a couple days the "asleep" sensation spread to my knee then to my foot.

At that point I saw my MD who prescribed predinsone for 15 days, diagnosing me with a pinched lateral? nerve.  

The prednisone did seem to help with the symptoms slightly, but by the time it was finished there was no "cure" persay.  Afterwards the senseation has seemed to get worse.

I am limping badly on that leg, using muscles I've never used before.. and now experience multiple leg spasms in my calve muscle as well as others. (Again muscles I didnt know existed)  Typically at night or when I first wake up.

I called my doctor after treatment and the receptionist seemed confused as to why I wanted to speak with him.  All I hear is that I am being referred to a neurologist - however the soonest I can get in is still almost 1 month away.

In the meantime my leg is asleep, the spasms grow worse, I have nearly sprained my ankle multiple times, and just today I fell going into a grocery store.  Took a step on my left leg and it was as if nothing was there.

I am 27 years old, and fairly strong.. but when one of the workers tried to help me up I nearly fell again as I put weight on that leg (almost taking him with me)   My job used to allow me the luxury of sitting but this is no longer the case as of a week ago so I am concerned about losing the job - losing insurance and also losing strength to walk.

Does this sound like something a pinched nerve could cause? Can a chiropractor potentially help with something like this?  Are these symptoms similar to something you have experienced in the past?

Sidenote: About a week before the symptoms started I was involved in 2 political rallies which kept me on my feet fairly idle for around 30 hours over the course of two days.. Not sure if that is indicative of anything.. but I was fairly sore afterwards being that I was not used to standing like that.

Thanks in advance for any "unofficial" advice you can provide.

Answer
"pinched nerve", lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, meralgia paresthetica,




Hello Anthony,


I am Sorry to hear of your condition.
I am Especially sorry and CONCERNED over the progressively worsening symptoms.

I recommend seeing a licensed health care professional quickly.
This is not an emergency,,,,  however, given your progression over three weeks (as per your report), I would consider the condition urgent.  Before things progress much further, you want to know a cause.

".... At that point I saw my MD who prescribed predinsone for 15 days, diagnosing me with a pinched lateral? nerve...."; I venture a guess at the

Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN).  

When this LFCN is irritated or damaged or 'pinched' it can cause a condition known as Meralgia Paresthetica.

"....The prednisone did seem to help with the symptoms slightly, but by the time it was finished there was no "cure" persay.....", the prednisone (cortisone cousin) is an anti-inflammatory that will reduce inflammation, but does not get to the cause of the problem.

"Pinched nerve", "Meraglia Paresthetica", -- these diagnoses only give 1/2 the picture.  What is pinching the nerve?  What is causing the nerve irritation?  What is the CAUSE of the SYMPTOMS?

My recommendation is to see an MD or a Doctor of Chiropractic within the next few days.  A neurology credential would be nice, and you may find a different MD who can see you more quickly, or perhaps a local Doctor of Chiropractic.  Chiropractors treat 'pinched nerves' all the time.  The DC or MD should, of course, take a case history, get the verbal particulars, perform a physical examination, and perform Xrays, MRI, EMG-ncv, and comprehensive blood test (looking for diabetes in particular (not a common cause for your condition) or other possible pathological cause).  Your pain/ symptoms may be in your leg, but the source (cause) of the problem is in your lower back/ abdomen/ pelvic area.
Xray, MRI are necessary to evaluate these areas.



In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I utilize an informational handout which may be helpful to you:

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“Pinched  Nerve”   ( Also Known As-  neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis )

Sometimes  we  can  wake  up  with  a  ‘pinched nerve’,  or  a  muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a ‘pinched nerve’.  Very often -  the true    c a u s e   of  the pinched nerve, pain or numbness  in the:    neck and/ or  shoulder  and/ or  arm  and/ or  hand;   pain in the back and/ or   buttock/ hip/ leg/ knee/ foot -  is a misalignment,  a  ‘kink’ in the neck- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.

             Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)

The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.



This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

     Spinal Kinesiopathology:
        This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

     Neuropathophysiology:
        Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

     Myopathology:
         Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

     Histopathology:
        A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

     Pathophysiology:
        The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.




        Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

Doctors of Chiropractic do examine and order Xrays, MRI, Blood Tests, etc.; just as Medical Doctors do.  These tests are necessary to rule out severe complicated diagnoses- metabolic problems, cancers, tumors, fractures, as well as neuro-musculo-skeletal problems such as sprain/ strain/ vertebral subluxation.

Doctors of Chiropractic do check for pathology, as do MDs.



Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate for a Vertebral Subluxation Complex.




         Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.

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Excellent articles for your further information:

http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=43404

http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=41587

http://www.chiroweb.com/search-chiroweb.php?q=meralgia+paresthetica&searchtype=a...

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic590.htm




If you need further information, do not hesitate to re-contact me at AllExperts.com    (  http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm  ).

I wish you good luck and Good Health Naturally, your Staten Island Chiropractor signing off,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com    (email newsletter)