Question
WHAT IS IT ??????????????  I've had the on and off knee pain for a while as well as ankle pain and numbness, recently it has gotten worse. No real injuries recently.. twisted ankle several times, not recently.  I do have a bunion on the left foot within the last two years. Putting my foot up makes it more numb and causes pain in my thigh.  No pain in back of thigh.  I do have some issues with low back pain (leftward curve and some mild DDD possible)and tailbone pain that is  on and off, varies from mild/mod/sev since having a hysterectomy 8 months ago.  My upper back has been bothering me a while now.. pretty constant and moderate.  No injuries recently.  As child did fall directly on tailbone (which was never checked out by doctor, could never do sit-ups after that) Got in a lot of trouble in gym class.. ha ha       I'm 42, approx. 5'2", 110lbs.  I sit/walk a lot at work.  Like to hike, play volley ball with the kids, nothing to stressful.  The pain in my knee/leg/foot does not seem to go away with rest.    Thanks for any info you can give me...  I've been told poss. bursitis in knee cap and sciatic pain.

Answer
Hi Paula,

Sciatica would cause pain in the back of your thigh; since you don't have this, it can be safely ruled out. There are however many other differential diagnosis that have to be considered.
An EMG of the leg and MRI of the low back are strongly recommended. Bursitis hurts with passive range of motion and is easily diagnosed.
Have you seen an Ortho or Chiropractor? If not, why not? This is something that needs hands on examination since there is a multitude of possible causes. get those tests done if possible. Once I have something concrete, I can advise you accordingly.
L4 disc herniation can cause this too. The ankle is a separate issue, there is more than one diagnosis here, you have more than one problem going on at the same time, these are independent of each other.

Thanks for asking!
Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com