Originally Posted by glenntaj

--or, for that matter, anything abnormal on a lumbar MRI. Nor do I have any lower back pain, and I am always negative on the provocative position tests used to show lumbar radiculopathy (nerve root compression)

The problem, though, is that these scans don't go down far enough.

I have a documented 2cm leg length discrepancy, left shorter than right, and it throws off my posture. One can actually see the hips are tilted when I stand. It is my theory that what this may be doing is causing both facet joint problems and/or problems in the SACRAL spine. The S2, S3, and S4 nerve levels all contribute to the sciatic nerve through the lumbosacral plexus, and therefore to sensation all the way down the legs to the feet.

Admittedly, too many doctors take the dermatomal charts literally, and think only L5/S1 levels are involved that low, but dermatomes have considerable overlap and individual differences. The trouble is often to try to get doctors to consider problems in that area. They think the sacral spine is an immovable object, unlikely to be malpositioned. But torquing forces in the pelvis, hypermobility of the sacroiliac joint. etc., can certainly change its position enough to possible impact nerves that go through it.

It's certainly possible this has nothing to do with Alan's sensations, but it may be worth imaging of the area to make sure (and no just through simple X-ray, either).