What could be wrong with my leg? Sciatic nerve?

[NigellaAwesome]

I've had a problem with my leg since the start of May. I had been having physio for my other knee and when doing physio exercises I developed severe pain in the back of my leg, behind the knee. It felt like I had strained my hamstring. The Physio hasn't been able to find a cause for it.

I spoke to my knee specialist who I was seeing for the other knee and he thought it might be a cyst pressing on the sciatic nerve. I am due to get a MRI tomorrow.

Over the last 2 - 3 weeks it has worsened considerably. I can't bend the leg and I am in a lot of pain. I can't really walk any distance. I also have episodes where it feels like the sciatic nerve is going into severe spasm. I have had one again this morning, and the pain is absolutely unbearable - to the point of screams and tears.

I'm really worried that I am somehow going to damage the nerve, and can't work out why the nerve is so reactive. This morning's episode was triggered by lightly putting weight on my leg as I got out of bed.

My next appointment with the consultant is 2 weeks away, and I'm really not sure how I am going to be able to last until then. My physio is also away so can't speak to him.

Hi just wondering what happened with your leg? As I’m having issues too but not sure what it is

Thanks for asking and sorry you are going through the same. I had an MRI and nothing in particular showed up, other than the meniscus being badly degraded, but that wouldn't account for the sciatic type pain.

I ended up going to a different physio who prescribed different, much gentler exercises and got me into the pool. I have eased off a bit, but I was initially doing pool rehab every other day and home exercises every day. She thinks there is a bakers cyst which somehow didn't show up on the MRI, and she also mobilised the outer part of my lower leg where the tibia and fibula meet beside my knee which gave a lot of relief.

It has taken a lot of work and commitment, but I am so much better now. There is still knee pain, but nothing like there was. It is actually interesting to read my OP again as I had almost forgotten how bad it was.

I hope you get sorted. I would recommend seeing a good physio in the first place.

Thank you so much for getting back to me, really appreciate you sharing what happened, just so stressful in this situation not having anyone who knows what you’re going through and to get advice from.
If you don’t mind me asking how long has it taken for your knee to get to the stage it is now?
did you have an op or do you mean just physio?
has your bakers cyst gone now?

Oh man, that sounds excruciating! Severe sciatic nerve pain is no joke. While I can't diagnose you myself, I can share my experience that might be a little similar. I threw out my back a few years ago, and for a while, I had this awful sciatic nerve pain that ran down my leg, kind of like you're describing. It would spasm sometimes, especially when I tried to bend or put weight on my leg, and the pain was definitely scream-worthy.

In the meantime, I would recommend trying some heat therapy. A heating pad or warm compress on your lower back and hamstring might help relax the muscles and ease some of the pain. You could also alternate that with ice packs, especially if there's any inflammation.

Have you tried any gentle stretches for your hamstrings and lower back? Sometimes stretching can help relieve muscle tightness that might be putting pressure on the nerve. Of course, be careful not to push yourself too hard, especially with the pain you're in.

Hang in there! Sciatic pain can be brutal, but hopefully you'll get some answers and relief soon.

Hi thanks for the advice but not sure what’s causing the issue with my leg. Also have a bakers cyst.

Keep us up to date!

It took 6 months of intensive rehab, mainly in the pool but also other exercises to get to where I am now.

No surgery - the consultant said he could do nothing for me. I still have a bakers cyst but it doesn't seem as bothersome now.

I really hope you get sorted. It's miserable and so debilitating.

That’s what they’ve kind of said to me nothing they can do other than having physio.

Did they say what exactly the name of the medical issue is with your knee? Except for the bakers cyst?

Apologies for the million questions, but are you able to kneel down on your knees?