Pain for 2 months and getting worse. what could it be?

[beasmithwentworth]

Hi. I have not booked a doctor's appt for this yet as the DCs and everything else always come first don't they?

I have had a dull ache down my right thigh, knee and right down to my ankle for months now. But now it's not so dull and really bothering me.

I have started taking ibuprofen every day/ night. It's definitely worse when I am sitting, worse still when I am laying down in bed. I have it in my left leg too but the real pain is in my right. The other day it felt as if it was starting from the lower back but it's mainly my leg.

I'm 51, pretty active. Classes at the gym 2/3 times a week and lots of walking.

I don't know whether to go to the doctor or find a physio for a few sessions. But I'll be doing one of those things in the next few days.

I just wondered if anyone had had similar in the past and what it ended up being?

Any ideas gratefully received. Thanks!

I had similar issues - it’s not actually a leg, it was coming from my back.
I went to private physio for the other reason and mentioned this one as well, was given exercises and advice on posture.
It’s better, but I can’t say it’s disappeared, I’m much less active atm due to another problem and the leg thing is worse when I am more active.
By the way if there is a suspicion that it’s something different physio would advise you to go to your GP so I would start with physio.

GP and physio if you can OP. If you can afford a private physio for a couple of sessions at least then even better. Look for one who has some extra MSK skills.
I have chronic sciatica, however it is really kept at bay with my exercises and regular massage. Good luck.

Go to a physio, try one who specialises in sports as they seem to really focus on getting you back to being active rather than just managing the pain

I would also suggest getting a lumbar cushion and using it in every chair, in the car and find one to sleep on too.

Could be something pressing on a nerve. As PP said, if this is the case it will be coming from the spine, so it might be a tight muscle pressing on a nerve or maybe a bulging disc or some other thing. If it's a muscle issue, a deep tissue or sports massage will sort you out. So yeah I'd probably see a physiotherapist first. If the physio says it's muscular, a massage or lots and lots of stretching will sort it out.

Thankyou. I appreciate your suggestions. I can't afford loads of sessions but even 3 or so maybe with a good sports physio sounds like a plan. I'll do some research locally thankyou.

Very low Vitamin D can present as dull bone ache before it goes into "wanting to shoot yourself" horrific pain. Don't ask me how I know 😬

Until you can get to see a GP try taking a 3,000 iu supplement with added Vitamin K for absorption. If it's that it might take a couple of months until you notice a difference but it won't harm you if it isn't.

Have a look at Bob and Brad on YT. They are the most famous physical therapists on the internet. They have covered just about everything and might just have teachings for just your issue.

Personally, I would go to an osteopath rather than a physiotherapist

@Pinkelephant66

Interesting. I can Google this of course but I am clueless when it comes to this kind of thing. What makes you say osteopath rather than a physio?

@BarneyRonson

Thanks.. I'll have a look shortly.

Thanks @LittleGreenDragons

I'm on it!

If you are in England you may be able to self refer for physio on the NHS so worth checking.

Also as someone else suggested, look up Bob and brad on YouTube. They have some helpful videos.

Only other thing is ibuprofen regularly is really not a good idea, they can cause stomach ulcers taking them regularly. It's worth reaching out to your Doctors if you need medication as they may be able to offer a medication or some stomach protection to avoid potential issues.

It sounds a bit sciatica-ry. Although having said that I know a lot of people who have leg pain think that it’s sciatica and it’s not.
But anyway, osteopaths look at your whole body and treat your body as a whole. So it could be something in your back that’s causing pain to radiate down your leg.
physiotherapists just look at the area of pain I think.
once went to see an osteopath and acupuncturist (both very good), physiotherapist didn’t do anything to help me. I know this is only one personal experience but I’d always suggest osteopath first!

Piriformis/deep gluteal syndrome?

Have a look at sciatica.

And see if your area does self referral NHS physiotherapy.

Physiotherapists really don't just look at the area of pain 🤦 Sciatica is hardly some medical marvel, all physios will have heard of it and be aware that the root cause might be in the back. I'm in Scotland where you can self refer, don't know if it's the same everywhere.

Having said that OP I would book with the GP first to find out what it could be. I know people always have mixed experiences but ultimately physio is the evidence based way to deal with biomechanical problems.

Like I said, physio didn’t absolutely nothing for me, yet osteopathy did…
just prodded at my back and made it worse tbh

I doubt you'll need loads of sessions,they're pretty good at giving you the tools to fix yourself. Definitely look for a sports physio.

Yes that's your one experience. There will always be anecdotal evidence to say that something hasn't worked for someone. But to say that physios don't look at the whole body is really silly advice tbh. Despite individual experiences, it is evidence based practice. Great that you were able to find relief in a way that worked for you but an osteopath isn't the sensible first solution without trying a GP or physio first.