[KC0630]

#31260

I have had ongoing pain in my left leg and big toe for years that has only gotten worse. A podiatrist recently told me it’s femoral nerve pain that will require back surgery however my Primary says all my MRI’s are clear?

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#31261

First, the femoral nerve (L2-4) does not radiate to the big toe. It does not go below the ankle normally. Your primary doctor is probably reading the radiological report and not directly reading the images (which is typical). Hopefully the radiologist did a good job and found no compression of the L5 or S1 nerve roots (which radiate to the great toe). You might have common peroneal nerve compression in the knee. See https://neckandback.com/conditions/peroneal-nerve-entrapment-at-fibular-head-knee/ and https://neckandback.com/treatments/emgncv-electromyograms-and-nerve-conduction-studies/.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[KC0630]

#31273

I am 40 yrs old and have been told that I had everything from MS to Sciatica to severe nerve damage. I walk with a walker even if its just Walmart cause of the pain in my lower back and left leg. But now the dr’s say they don’t know what’s wrong because my MRI’s come back clear. I am 5’2 and 130lbs, I’m a small woman yet no one can find why I have so much pain. Thank you for your time.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#31278

If you have peroneal nerve compression in your knee, this can cause the symptoms you refer to and the lumbar MRI will be “clear”. Please read the hyperlink in my last post.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

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