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- Oct 23, 2019
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Sorry for the long write up, but this case has been bothering me. I have a 40 something healthy woman complaining of right lower buttock pain since September 2022 (no trauma, sudden onset). The pain is 4/10 at baseline but worsens to 8/10 with driving (burning sensation). There is also numbness and tingling radiating from the buttock down the lateral hip, calf, and outer sole of her right foot.
Imaging:
Medications tried (not helpful):
Interventions (not helpful):
Summary:
Interesting case of right buttock pain in my years of practice without a straight forward pathology or treatment plan thus far. Initially I thought she had SIJ dysfunction or piriformis syndrome but this didn't pan out with the injections. MRI Lumbar not impressive for potential radiculopathy (in fact was seen by spine surgery who didn't recommend surgery) but I gave it a try with a lumbar ESI, no improvements. Did an MRI of the right hip just in case...not much going on there, just an adnexal cyst that OBGYN wasn't too concerned about.
Now I'm stuck trying to figure out what to do next since she appears to have legitimate pain and discomfort, impacting her ability to work as a healthcare professional (pain flares up when driving).
Sending her for an EMG/NCS of the RLE.
Trialing Lyrica & Tramadol
Interventions: ?sacral lateral branch blocks? ?ischiofemoral / quadratus injection..however MRI did not show ischiofemoral impingement?
Appreciate any advice on further workup or treatment.
Edit:
MRI L-spine images are posted here (expires by 4/28/23):
wetransfer.com
Imaging:
- MRI Lumbar: L4-5 with 3mm disc bulge & central annular fissure, mild to moderate right & mild left sided neural foramina narrowing ; L5-S1 with 4mm disc bulge & mild to moderate left and mild right sided foraminal narrowing, no spinal canal stenosis.
- MRI Right hip: no muscle strain or tear (including the gluteal muscles, no evidence of greater trochanteric or iliopsoas bursitis, normal piriformis & sciatic nerve appearances), no significant pathology of right hip, right adnexal cyst 3.4 x 3 x 2.4 cm Edit: OBGYN said this wouldn’t contribute to the patient’s radiating pain down the right buttock & leg
Medications tried (not helpful):
- NSAIDs (Mobic, Diclofenac, Celebrex)
- Medrol dose pack (ortho)
- Muscle relaxants (Baclofen, Flexeril)
Interventions (not helpful):
- Right PSIS / SI ligament TPI
- Right piriformis TPI (fluoro)
- Right SIJ injection (fluoro)
- Right L4-L5, L5-S1 TFESI
Summary:
Interesting case of right buttock pain in my years of practice without a straight forward pathology or treatment plan thus far. Initially I thought she had SIJ dysfunction or piriformis syndrome but this didn't pan out with the injections. MRI Lumbar not impressive for potential radiculopathy (in fact was seen by spine surgery who didn't recommend surgery) but I gave it a try with a lumbar ESI, no improvements. Did an MRI of the right hip just in case...not much going on there, just an adnexal cyst that OBGYN wasn't too concerned about.
Now I'm stuck trying to figure out what to do next since she appears to have legitimate pain and discomfort, impacting her ability to work as a healthcare professional (pain flares up when driving).
Sending her for an EMG/NCS of the RLE.
Trialing Lyrica & Tramadol
Interventions: ?sacral lateral branch blocks? ?ischiofemoral / quadratus injection..however MRI did not show ischiofemoral impingement?
Appreciate any advice on further workup or treatment.
Edit:
MRI L-spine images are posted here (expires by 4/28/23):
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