leg pain

[mata hari]

Periodically I have a pain down the front of my right leg. It starts as a sort of burning sensation in the groin, then an ache progresses to my thigh, giving a sense that you cant move the thigh muscle, say to pick up your leg. A few hours later, the ache will progress down to the outer calf area. After maybe 2 or 3 days the pain disappeares altogether leaving no after effects. I've tryed pain killers, sometimes the work, sometimes not. Anyone any ideas ?

[woofgang]

yes mata, go get it checked out at the doc

[Jackson74]

sounds like some sort of sciatica, bit strange down the front of thigh though, rather than back.

Is it worse after sitting down?

[woofgang]

can't be sciatica down the front, the sciatic nerve runs down the back of the leg

[mata hari]

Hi Jackson,

Sitting dosn't alleviate it, I usually have to stretch it out straight to get it anywhere near comfortable, it's the same in bed, I have to lie on my stomach and keep the leg straight. (I really don't fancy the doctor poking about my groin area). There is no obvious swelling, and no redness. I don't seem to have any back pain, would I if it were sciatica?

[woofgang]

mata it won't be anything he hasn't seen or poked about before. Honestly that's what you need to do

[Robinia]

In my experience back & hip problems can cause pain all over the place, including your legs. Your doctor might not do much poking at all but, as in my case, send you for an x-ray. Even if he does it will only be for a few seconds & it has to be worth it for the sake of peace of mind.
Please try not to worry, get it checked out.

[mata hari]

Yes Woofgang, I know thats the answer really! Trouble is, you make an appointment when your legs' hurting, and by the time you get one it's stopped!! Having said that, it just sounds like excuses on my part not to go, dosn't it? Yesterday I could hardly walk, today it's fine - c'est la vie! thanks for answering

[alijangra]

read up about 'intermittent claudication' and see if the symptoms are similar to yours. This is more of a circulatory problem but I have seen it present in the way you describe. good luck!

[woofgang]

if its a recurring problem, you don't need to be in pain when you go, you do need to relay the symptoms in the same clear way that you have done to us!