I'd be grateful for a little help with this painful, but relatively minor, problem.

For the last five months, I have developed some soft tissue pain in my lower right leg. It is muscular or perhaps tendonitis. I have suffered no injury or change to my health. I believe that the pain is a result of the ergonomics and seating position of my car, even though I have driven the car for three years prior without problems.

--There is no adjustment of my car seat that has helped.
--The pain responds to rest, but I cannot stop driving.
--I haven't tried OTC anti-inflammatories because they really rip up my stomach.
--My chiropractor has not been much help.
--At this stage, icing the leg doesn't really help.

So, I'd appreciate any advice on how to resolve this. If I go to my orthopedist, he will 1) x-ray, 2) recommend cortisone shots, 3) recommend prescription anti-inflammatories — none of which I want.

Thanks.

Where in your leg?

Ankle or above. Back of foot...the Achilles tendon?

Calf? Do you have swelling anywhere? Pain when you are NOT driving?

Years ago we always had manual stick shifts... but one day my left ankle started protesting, and it has ever since!

Now we have automatics! Sometimes it is just time that is against you. I don't press on a clutch anymore, but that left ankle/foot still flares up anyway.

I wouldn't be afraid of steroid injections. I've had them 4 times over the years and they do work. 2 in the foot, one in the knee and one in my right wrist (when I was pregnant).

Thanks, mrsD.

--Above the ankle and on the front and outside of the leg. It doesn't go halfway up to the knee. It is not the calf muscle.
--No swelling. No sensitivity other than the pain.
--I have pain when I am not driving. With enough rest (non-driving, that is), the pain seems to abate.

The pain is more pronounced and persistent since October, i.e., I have tried ignoring it, but it does not seem to be going away.

I hate doctors and I hate my orthopedists (all of them), but I guess I could go and see him.

I think you should go to the doctor anyway.

Does it hurt to walk? Do you wear tie up shoes?

It could be a referred pain from lacing too tightly. Lots of nerves around there can be compressed.

Any really persistent pain should be looked at. Something might be happening inside that is not yet visible, etc.

No, it does not hurt to walk, nor do my shoes have anything to do with it. I have Sm. Fbr. Neuro., but I do not believe that SFN is the cause here. Might be, but I think not.

It's more like a tennis elbow or that kind of thing.

I sure hope that you find good resolution from the pain you are experiencing. One thing I have learned from my own experiences, is that you need to like the physician who is treating you. I would not want someone injecting me eithor if I didn't like him to begin with. Maybe you would consider another opinion from another doctor with whom you could have a decent relationsip with. So much depends on trust. It is just a thought I had. I do wish you all the best. ginnie

I just made an appointment . . . with the ortho I dislike least. That's the best I can do.