Question
QUESTION: I was told a few months ago my sacroilliac joint was inflamed causing the calf/foot pain and tingling.  I was given cortisone which made me very sick.  The pain in my left calf is now excruitiating and it travels down into the bottom of my foot and both become numb after sitting for a while.  Do you think this is only a joint problem?

ANSWER: Hi Gayle,


Sorry I wasn't able to get back with you immediately but we have severe flooding here in the midwest and in our house.

I don't know what to say except that your doctor should be in jail if he thought sacroiliitis caused pain in those areas. Cortisone would help the SI joint, not the calf or foot.

The SI joint doesn't cause pain in the calf/foot, the L5/S1 disc does. So does a clot. Get another doctor immediately, get a MRI of the Lumbar spine and venous Doppler. I can't belive they shot you with cortisone for that, this tops any negligence I have seen to date!

Let me know how it turns out!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for responding.  Can I ask another question please?  I've noticed when I wear certain shoes, the pain and tingling are worse.  Does this mean nerve damage?  If I have some type of disk problem, is surgery the only option?  I'm so sorry about your flood problems!

Answer
Hi,

I don't think you have any permanant nerve damage, I will go over exactly what you need once we get a diagnosis that is realistic. Surgery is out of the question.

Thanks for your concern on the flooding, it quit raining so that's good!

Dr. T