Hi,
I haven't posted here since 12/2012, I think - but used to post regularly since 2006. An interesting occurrence has happened to me lately that may be of interest to others for future reference.

I had been suffering from a bout of pinched sciatic nerve for about 3 mos previous and was having constant leg pain. I was getting PT 2 or 3 x week, to try to strengthen my muscles in the leg affected.

I was taking out the trash about 1am, in late July, and when I returned to my door, my my leg was aching & my feet were numb I lost my balance and I missed the top step of the brick steps leading to the front door. There was no railing and I fell down the brick steps to the cement sidewalk below. I broke my eyeglasses and had scrapes, bruises and abrasions from the fall. I woke up the next am very sore with a bump on the head, and sporting a black eye.

I have had a minor fall or two over the past 12 years because of my PN & balance, but this one was quite different

Over the next 3 days I progressively became weaker.
I was sore all over, and was significantly losing feeling in my feet along with severe pain on the toes & soles, swelling of the first joint of the toes on both feet, and swelling of the feet in general.

By the 4th day I woke up unable to walk at all and in severe pain. A call to 911 had the medics carry me out of the house and to an ambulance & to the ER.
I spent 8 days of testing, & rehab.
X-rays, and and an MRI showed significant arthritis at the base of spine at L3/L4 and in both hips and knees.

Blood testing showed an increase in uric acid (I never have had this before) and was the reason for the first toe joint swelling, but both feet at the same time was unusual- possible Gout ???!
Rx anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and painkillers - finally muscle relaxants
The sciatica flared to about 3x the usual and my PN elevated to a constant 6 with flares to 8.

It seems that a fall or significant trauma can trigger all sorts of problems never Dx'd before and can exacerbate existing ones, many fold.

Since the hospital, I have been undergoing epidural injections in my spine for the sciatica, just having had a second procedure (of a possible 3) less than a week ago, since the first was not effective at all. Hopefully I will not have to have the 3rd - it is quite a painful procedure.

I am continuing with the PT.

As always, a domino effect has to enter into the picture.
-My Neurologist of 10 years passed away form old age and CA. So I had no existing neuro.
-While I was in the hospital - my PCP left the practice to go elsewhere - with no notice.
-I need to see a hip orthopedist about a possible future hip replacement.... and of course
-I needed a spine surgeon for the epidural procedures and ongoing treatment for the spinal arthritis that is pinching my sciatic nerve and a referral for an ortho hip man. The only docs I still retain is my ortho wrist man for Carpal Tunnel & my podiatrist.... she doesn't even know all this has happened.
So be careful with PN and its associated problems. At any time a seemingly unrelated event can run amok and cause havoc with existing and unknown ailments.