Doctor's (or anyone helpful's) Opinion?

Question

My mom is in a lot of pain, all coming from her leg. She has been in and out of the hospital three times in the last month and she's sick of it.

First hospital visit said that she might have a blood clot. So, they kept her overnight and we waited it out. The next day, the tests came back. No blood clot, free to go home. Within two days, we knew something was still wrong, she was still in pain. We brought her in that night and they sent her home within an hour saying that it was just arthritis. My mom's 50, doesn't most 50-year-olds have arthritis? Anyways, she went home and after another week of pain she went back. This time, they kept her for two weeks and checked everything out. They said that she had a crushed disc in her back and that was the reason for the pain.

Is it just me or does it seem weird to have pain in your leg from something wrong in your leg?

Anyways, every three weeks, she goes in and gets a shot of Cortizone (spelling?) and feels good for about two-three days and then after that, it's horrible pain. What's up with that? She doesn't want to go through the second option, which is surgery.

Any suggestions, what doctors could check out, etc?

Answer 1

not a doctor but i do have ruptured discs in my back. when i first had the problem 10 years ago i thought i would die from the pain but it has gotten better over time. it's called "sciatica" because it is the sciatic nerve that is being pinched. physical therapy can help.

Answer 2

Actually, the doctors are right on (imagine that ;) ) The spinal cord which runs down the length of your back contains all the nerves for most of your body. The pain that you have in your legs ALOT of the times can come from that...

Also... it could be a slipped disc or something of that nature. Your back is really a very sensitive place stricktly because it's controls so much.

-- I hopeyour mom feels better :)

~Jae