Expert: Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 8/20/2007

Question
I have had severe leg pain for a little over a year now.  I'm not exactly sure how it all started, but I am a weightlifter and was lifting pretty heavy at the time.  I don't know if this is it but a huge rack of weights fell on my leg around the time the pain started kicking in.  I don't have health insurance so I have only been able to see a chiropractor And he told me that the pain can't be from the weights dropping on my leg(front of leg above knee which has created a new muslce on that leg). COuld he be wrong? I mean he hasn't ran any tests and only has looked at x-rays.  Is that enough info to rule out the weights falling on my leg as the cause of the pain?  By the way, the pain I am feeling is sometimes a burning feeling, weakness and sharp pain in the right leg, on the right side of my lower leg.  the pain feels internal and can kick in at any time of the day, but usually starts when iget up and start walking around.  If the pain hasn't already subsided does that mean it is permanent or is it normal for some pains to not go away without proper treatment.  I have been dealing with the pain with vicodin for a while now and am becoming less and less comfortable taking them as I know there are many side effects to long term use.  I don't feel addicted, for I can't wait for the pain to go away so I can stop taking them.  I truly feel that the pain is the only reason I am taking them.  As soon as the pain goes away I'm done, but I can't manage the pain without them. In three months I will have health insurance and will be able to see a physician.  Will I be okay until then?  I know this was a lot but bear with me. The help would be much appreciated.

Answer
Hi Jamil,

I see no problems waiting, I think the Chiropractor could be wrong too. A MRI once your insurance kicks in will tell all. Have them do it of the lumbar spine, not the leg. There are very few chronic problems of the leg that cause symptoms such as yours, but many that originate from the back.

Let me know how it turns out!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com