Undiagnosed Right Leg Bone Pain

[thomas7061]

Current Health: Excellent health; 59 year old; good eating habits; non-smoking; no drugs; regular exercise program. Problem: 2 years of increasing pain in right leg (not knee, ankle, or hip); excrutiationg pain "only" when in an a horizontal position (most noticeable in bed at at night), walking upwards (like a staircase), or stationary in a vehicle for long periods of time (more than a half hour). When I am upright, working (accountant), and even when exercising, I rarely feel any pain at all. Current medical to date: MRI (lumbar) and bone scan; all negative results. Question: the pain is real; where do I go next?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The MRI and bone scan are reasonable tests, and can exclude many of the major orthopedic causes and pinched nerve.  

You may want to consider rheumatologic disease, and can start with an ANA level.

Peripheral nerve testing, including nerve conduction studies, can also be done in conjunction with a neurology consult.  

Physical therapy would also be a useful therapeutic adjunct while these tests are being considered.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[tammy391710]

A related discussion, leg bone pain right was started.

[thomas7061]

Isn't it odd that I only have excrutiating pain at night when I am in a horizontal poaition, or walking up a flight of stairs; otherwise never noticeable? Wouldn't rheumatoid disease or peripheral nerve damage result in constant pain? Confused.