can Facet joint or SI Dysfucntion cause numbness down leg?

[Virgin_phoenix]

is this possible? i have had several "clean" MRI's. i get numbess down
the lateral posterial knee and down the front of my shin into the top of my foot. I often get a tight TFL and Groin and glutes at the same time…?

 

[His LadyBug]

yes absolutely.. that's the main symptoms.. numbness on lower extremity..

 

[yingyang]

interesting. i've had a few orthopedic drs claiming facet joints are unlikely to cause numbness down the leg and disk pathology was more likely. On the other hand I've a had a few that said it was possible...

 

[stephen518]

I'm going to have to disagree with orthodox I'm afraid, it's certainly not a main symptom.

SI / facet SYNDROMES may cause a dull achey (referred) pain down the leg in the pattern described; though you'd want to rule out neurology first, but not numbness. Classicly facet syndrome won't cause referred pain below the knee either, though I disagree with the text books on that.
Linked in with muscle imbalances, I'd suggest ruling out piriformis syndrome first up if the MRIs are clean (not just discs, but other cuases of neurological SSx); then I'd look at peripheral nerve entrapments.
If you can rule out those and trigger points, then I'd be inclined to go with SI/facet sydrome as a working diagnosis - and I'd say to keep checking to see if anything else comes to light after you've started treatment.


I have to say, your description sounds perfect for an L5 radiculopathy to me, so I'd want to be VERY clear that that is ruled out first.

 

[am k]

Thanks for that.

I've had two MRI's in the past year. First was fine other than a minor buldge at L3/L4. 2nd was fine according the the DR although did not see the report!!!

A major clue for me is that the numby feeling increase when my back "clicks". Also I get v tight back muscles sometimes all the way to my shoulder and a tight groin.

THis all comes on at the same time as the numbess down my leg. THis is never a sharpe stabbing pian like typical disk pathology. Non of the provocation tests increase my symptoms either.

Any thoughts?

Ps what we do know is I have slightly anterior pelvis on the same side as the numbess and my SI joint is quite hypermobile - it also clunks quite a bit

any thoughts?

 

[Flaminblonde]

"I have to say, your description sounds perfect for an L5 radiculopathy to me, so I'd want to be VERY clear that that is ruled out first"

does that mean the cuase was disk pressure at L5 level or could it be something else from L5?

Thanks

 

[drumm3r1]

I wouldn't like to give any further thoughts without a full history and exam I'm afraid; though I will say that hypermobile SIs can be a right bug*** to treat. and you'd want to avoid any treatment that adds movement to that joint.

There are many things that can cause an L5 radiculopathy, disc is just the most common. And MRI should be able to comment on all of them though, if read properly. I would accept the evidence of an MRI that this isn't a radiculopathy, and go into a detailed examination of the problem before committing myself to a working diagnosis and treatment regime.

 

[[email protected]]

Hi ian
so many of your problems sound like you have a v unstable back SI joint ect so you will bounce from pillar to post as various pain and numbness problems occur. If possible find yourself an expert core strength advisor = PT Physio Pilates ect (rehab trained) and combined with deep tissue massage slowley v carfully strengthen core and back muscles you may find alot of answeres.
Regards steve

 

[Super Jesus]

Thanks

yes your right and it took a while to find someone who could 1 diagnose hypermoble joints and 2 had a good idea of how to safely treat it. Unfortionately i visited quite a few one trick ponies who would only manipulate me - which made things far worse!!!

the one thing thats v hard to get to the bottom of is exactly where the numbess i get down my leg comes from. We've narrowed it doen to a few options but v hard to definate answer on it.

 

[Umbrella Corporation]

Yes, I agree with steve, working on your core is certainly a good starting point. Having MRI scans etc is limited in that it doesn't make any practical difference! I'm guessing that you want to be rid of the numbness and any other symptoms, so getting a good teacher to guide you through rehabilitative physical work is an excellent idea.

Also I am a fan of bioenergy techniques, where a practitioner scans your body to pinpoint the precise area of the primary blockage causing you distress. Since this is done with the eyes, and you are re-scanned after every point is worked on, the work is very specific and gets great and surprisingly fast results for many.

Hope you are starting to see some progress.

sapna