Sciatica

[Harry_20]

I’m getting intense pains in my left hip, thigh, and calf. Feels like sciatica. Can this be caused by RA?

[helixhelix]

It is possible to get secondary osteoarthritis as a result of repeated inflammation, and if that affects your L5-S1 joint in your lower back it can cause sciatica. But RA only rarely attacks the spine directly, that is more if you have ankylosing spondylitis.

I get sciatica which is due to plain old osteoarthritis/degenerative discs - which is by far the most common cause.

[Harry_20 in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks. I’ve had it in the past. Wondered if now having RA is triggering an attack. Sounds possible but not definite.

[Wobbies]

I have axial spondyloarthritis and I get sciatica down both legs when it is bad. Awful, you have my sympathy as I know what it is like.

[Harry_20 in reply to Wobbies]

Thanks. It is a special kind of hell!

[Wobbies in reply to Harry_20]

So true

[agnes-D]

Hi, I get pain from hip down to knee and sometimes ankle. The only thing that helps is thai chai. It seems to settle the pain which comes from my back. Good luck.

[ruth_p]

The nhs website has some good exercises for sciatica which I found really helpful.

[BigJazza]

Altho" I've got RA, mine is due to hip joint misalignment currently improving with a very specific stretch. My advice? Don't ask people like me because each case is VERY specific. Instead, see a physio as soon as possible. Leaving it only makes the problem worse and the remedy takes longer. Good luck and hope it gets better with professional advice to help you.

[stbernhard]

I am battling with sciatica since November. It got so bad after an operation that I needed morphine to be able to move. I don't think it's caused by RA. Like Helix and lots of people L5 to S1 bulged discs. Maybe it's because we're not getting younger? Keep on moving through the pain is the most important message. I hope your pain is not too strong.

[Knip]

Mine lasted eight months because I was going to the Physiotherapy Department at the hospital three times a week and doing the wrong exercises! This was in the days when there was a waiting list for MRI scans of six months. I eventually paid privately to have one and it showed I had two bulging discs in my lumber spine...more than enough to cause the intense, constant, pain I was suffering. I really feel for you. As soon as I get any sciatica pain now I rest for a few days whilst it's still mild until it has gone. Hope you get rid of yours soon.

[Rubymurray25]

My physio is currently using Rock Tape after a massage session for my Sciatica and it really helps, there are some good videos if you have someone at home to apply it. My wife also uses it for a painful prolapsed shoulder following a stroke and she swears by it.

[oldtimer]

Where do you put the Rock Tape for sciatica? I thought the whole purpose of treatment was to open everything up and take the pressure off the nerve root by stretching? And to keep up the exercise?

[Salamanca21]

Yes it goes with it..I have it off and on

[s2202]

Hi Harry_20I've been having a lot of right hip pain particularly at night and it stretches down to my right thigh, calf and foot. My Rheumatologist wants me to have an x-ray as he thinks this is probably Bursitis.

[embroy]

No it's not related with RA, I had the same problem about 6 or 7 years ago, just exercise, GP asked to me to take pain killers after 4 hours, or look for reflexology on the web, there is a part on both feet that will help you. Hope this will help .Or you can go to a refloxologist.

[Empress30]

Hi, I have it in both legs and hips . It is fromOA. It has to do with your back. I have to walk with a cane and can't walk far. Hope you can take pain meds. I can't.