Which doctor would you try to see with this symptom?

I just don't know what to do next. The PT's exercises aren't helping in fact I think I'm worse. I was okay until I did the ankle circles this morning. After that I developed a sore lump on the outside of my left foot that's so painful, I can hardly walk with paresthesia on top of the foot. Putting on a shoe this morning was a new experience (did you hear me scream?).
No use going back to urgent care who just sends me back to my PCP and she doesn't to anything. Ever try to make an appointment with a specialist like a neurologist, orthopedic or podiatrist? They are booked up until August. I have an appointment tomorrow with the PT and she's gonna get an earful.
 
I've been suggesting going to an ER for accurate diagnosis.

My reason.

2018 had an usual pain in the top part of my back. Went to urgent care. Was diagnosed with arthritis & told to use Tylenol for the pain.

3 days later pain was thru the roof & left arm & hand went numb. ER this time. CT scan MRI scan diagnosed as collapsed discs in my cervical spine. Scheduled surgery. Pins & fusion from c-1 to c-8 corrected the collapse. Due to the best guess diagnosis at the urgent care during those 3 days the nerve muscles feeding my left hand were severed not repairable due to length being to short. Still have sensory nerve so I feel cold & hot.

I wish Deb the best of luck with complaining I really hope it helps.
 

debodun said:
Started suddenly - discomfort that feels like intermittent sharp shooting pangs and warm water running down the inside of inner thigh (no crude jokes, okay?). Worsened by bending over. Would you
1) call your PCP and maybe get an appointment in 3 weeks
2) go to an emergent care facility (even though it is not life-threatening) where they will try to diagnose and then refer you back to your PCP
3) go to a hospital emergency room
4) do nothing and hope it will go away on it's own
5) something else
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Think I would chose the ER. Our son recently had severe abdominal pain, and delayed doing anything till his shift ended. At the ER they found that his appendix had ruptured. Surgery was successful but two weeks later some residual infection called for more treatment. I know he learned a valuable lesson from the experience. Having lost another son when he was only 17, we were scared beyond reason. Don't delay, symptoms are there to tell you there is a problem.
 
debodun said:
I just don't know what to do next. The PT's exercises aren't helping in fact I think I'm worse. I was okay until I did the ankle circles this morning. After that I developed a sore lump on the outside of my left foot that's so painful, I can hardly walk with paresthesia on top of the foot. Putting on a shoe this morning was a new experience (did you hear me scream?).
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Deb, did any of these doctors even bring up what I mentioned in my post #3? Because you named those things, and even this new "sore lump" to where you couldn't put a shoe on is a sign of it, too... did none of those medical people even consider it? Post #3 mentions the "water down leg" and pins & needles.... and this link mentions the swelling. Did they totally rule it out?
Can Sciatica Cause Foot Pain and Swelling? | Red Mountain Footcare
 
CallMeKate said:
Deb, did any of these doctors even bring up what I mentioned in my post #3?
Can Sciatica Cause Foot Pain and Swelling? | Red Mountain Footcare
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None mentioned sciatica specifically. The urgent care doctor's diagnosis was "lumbar radiculopathy" (which may be a fancy way to say "sciatica") and sent me back to see my PCP who sent me to PT. Sometime I think doctors have the "horses hooves" syndrome - you hear hoof beats and think "horses", but it may be zebras or gazelles. It was my impression that sciatica was pain on the outer leg.
 
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debodun said:
None mentioned sciatica specifically. The urgent care doctor's diagnosis was "lumbar radiculopathy" and sent me back to see my PCP who sent me to PT. Sometime I think doctors have the "horses hooves" syndrome - you hear hoof beats and think "horses", but it may be zebras or gazelles.
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:giggle: From Johns Hopkins:

Lumbar Radiculopathy​

When radiculopathy occurs in the lower back, it is known as lumbar radiculopathy, also referred to as sciatica because nerve roots that make up the sciatic nerve are often involved. The lower back is the area most frequently affected by radiculopathy.
 
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TennVet said:
Think I would chose the ER.
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There aren't any ERs close. I'd have to travel far and to a congested urban area and then they are usually overcrowded. The last time I was there was when I had my retinal detachment and it was over 4 hours before I saw anyone that approached being a doctor. Even then they just referred me to another specialist.
 
Deb,,Can you ask the folks at church to recommend a good doctor or hospital?

Once you get the names of doctors & location.
Get copies of everything you have had done .
Either take them with you or have them emailed to the new doctor/hospital .

Explain your situation about driving,, ask if there is a transportation service ?

Good luck.
 
debodun said:
There aren't any ERs close. I'd have to travel far and to a congested urban area and then they are usually overcrowded. The last time I was there was when I had my retinal detachment and it was over 4 hours before I saw anyone that approached being a doctor. Even then they just referred me to another specialist.
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Are you far from the closest hospital, Deb? Not referring to this incident, but wondering because almost everyone needs to go to a bona fide ER (not urgent care) or hospital for something or other.
 
StarSong said:
Are you far from the closest hospital, Deb? Not referring to this incident, but wondering because almost everyone needs to go to a bona fide ER (not urgent care) or hospital for something or other.
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Very real concern. We live at least thirty minutes from our nearest hospital ER. There are a couple urgent care locations a little closer, but in an emergency that presents the possibility of critical time lost until care is rendered. Facing facts, you have to make the best decision you can at the time and that is true of most things in life.
 
Yes,, I've heard that too.

Get all the paperwork from the doctors.
Call the hospital see If & when you can be seen.
Explain the pain /discomfort you have & how its been going on.

They might tell you to see another doctor or give you a date come in.

Surely there is a time the traffic isn't as heavy .
If you can trust your self to drive there when traffic is slow,, try it.

You might have to rent a room if your nerves are acting up & go home another day?
 
I've been to four PT sessions now and the therapist continues to massage and press areas that don't hurt and are far from the trouble spots. Her touch is so light, I can hardly feel it. I have not improved. In fact after doing her suggested exercises, I have a sore lump on the outside edge of my left foot. It's like walking on a golf ball. I pointed it out to her and she didn't even look at it; just gave me alternative exercises.
 

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