Diagnose me if you can...

[Nealmg]

Ok, i have seen numerous specialist but they are still only speculating as to what can be wrong.

Ok so, it started as a pain in the hip flexer which then became a pain in my left glute which then caused pain in my knee and then in my calf. With stretching i have regained some flexibility but not as much as i would like and i dont seem to be getting more flexible. I am seeing a physio who is focusing on moving around my nerves (the sciatic i belive) but he is still unsure as to what is wrong. The pain is biggest in my calf to the point that just after a minute or two of standing it hurts me. After 5 months of always being in pain it would be nice if someone could possibly give me some kind of advice seeming the only thing that released the pain were muscle relaxants and my physio doesnt seem to want to give me a prescription for it.

[Heidi]

I think that with something seemingly this complex it will be hard to really help you on here.

Have you had any relief from the physios treatments? Sciatic irritation sounds like a possibility. This can refer pain throughout the leg.

What treatment have you been given?

[Nealmg]

The physio has given me stretching exercises for the glute and calf and an exercise to "increase the mobility" of my nerves. He as also suggested that i get orthodic insoles. As for relief, i due have a greater range of motion than i previously had however pain wise it is still the same. I guess it is important if i mention that within the first 4 weeks of this injury i was on cruches because the pain was too great after trying to get up after sitting for a while. However, through muscle relaxants, the next day i didnt need cruches but i was still in pain. When i see the physio, he does things to relieve tension in my lower back (which feels awesome) and examines my left calf a great deal as that is where the pain is greatest while walking

[Heidi]

Do you know what he does to your calf muscles? If they are particularly tight and the main source of your pain, do you know if you have any trigger points in them? These are small 'lumps' of tense and very tender muscle tissue. They can be treated well with massage and other soft tissue techniques, as well as acupuncture etc. Also try a hot pack on the calf, this can act in a similar way to muscle relaxants. Use something like a hot water bottle or a specialist wheat bag which you microwave for up to 20 minutes at a time, on the calf muscle and stretch it out afterwards.

If you need orthotics, these could make a big difference so I would definately recommend them.