Back pain and excruciating pain down the outer thigh to the knee

[bananaskin123]

Saw the consultant who wasn't convinced its sciatica but has arranged for a facet joint injections and L5/S1 nerve root injections. Just wondered if anyone had had good relief with this from the awful pain especially in the thigh to the knee. Painkillers just aren't doing it.

Anyone had these injections together and did you get relief. Its just so debilitating. I'm not expecting to be able to jump off the couch painfree, although that would be wonderful, just some encouragement that it will get better. Life is on hold at the moment.

Op do you run/go to the gym?

I have bursitis and ileo tibial band syndrome. Together with sciatica due to osteoporotic fractures.
I use a personal ultrasound machine which helps a lot.
My symptoms are very much as you describe.

No Mrs none of those. Thanks endoftheline. I'll see if I get relief from the injections and might then look into getting a machine. Anything to get rid of this awful pain.

I went to a rehab clinic and was prescribed 5 ultrasound treatments to see if it helped.
I had to pay as this is not available on the NHS.
Once I knew it worked I purchased a machine.
Each treatment at an osteopath clinic is £40. The machine cost £100.
The only thing I was offered on the NHS was a steroid injection. But I have concerns that going down the injection route can end up with more problems in the long run.

That said, my neighbour has just had her first spine injection and is waiting to see if it works.

The description of the pain going from outer thigh down to the knee made me think ITB issue as a PP said. Maybe google ITB physio exercises and try those and see if it helps? The clam is on of them I think, where you lie on your side with feet together and knees bent, and slowly open and close your legs

If it is ITB, the thing that cured me was rolling the ITB with a foam roller. I'd had pain for 12 years every time I'd tried to do exercise and the rolling sorted it out completely.

I currently have this. Taking nerve blockers & waiting for MRI. Also resting has helped. Pain is worse when sitting and struggle to walk

Just an update: had the injections of Wednesday. By Thursday the excruciating pain down the leg has settled a lot. Hoping that wasn't just the anaesthetic but real pain relief. Still got the back pain and hip pain (which started before the nerve pain down the leg). I'm certainly happier and just keeping my fingers crossed. I'm to have an xray of the hips on Monday so hopefully may give some clues.

Please keep us updated, OP.

CT and bone scans show I have facet joint issues. The pain is driving me crazy and I'm desperate for some good nights sleep. Looking for a solution......

Poor you fallen - its so horrible isn't it. I'll keep you updated.