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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Chronic leg pain/cramps/Charlie horse/ muscle spasm/24hrs

by Ana
(Seattle, Washington)

I was in a rear end car accident. Waiting at a stop to make a left turn. And waiting for my turn. I strain and sprain my lower back and my mid back. Four days later saw my doctor also for low right leg pain ( continuing to get worst)

Saw a vascular doctor to rule out pinch nerve (MRI). The pain on my leg has gotten to a point that I feel that I am going to pass out.
During the day my pain scale is between 5-6 and at night is a who ping 10+

For 5 weeks now I only have gotten 2 hours of sleep. I need to continue walking to alleviate the pain at this point it is still a 5-6 pain scale.
I am not able to drive no more than 5 minutes. I have come so close checking my self into the ER.

I had no right leg pain prior to the car accident. I just found out that I do have venous reflux great saphenous vein and also the short saphenous vein. Can you injure these veins by applying my foot hard to the breaks.

I am currently taking
Anti flamatory 750 mg 2xa day
Tylenol/codeine cannot take narcotics allergic to them :(
nerve pain
Valium

Can you injure this veins from being rear ended?

It feels worst than a broken bone

RESPONSE
Hi Ana,
I have never heard of veins causing as much pain as you are experiencing unless of course with the possible exception of a deep venous thrombosis. You have been to a vascular specialist and I will assume you have been checked for that.
Based on your description of how all this pain began, I would look to your lower back as the source of the pain.
Your description sounds more neurological in nature than vascular and it is quite possible that the automobile injury jarred something in your lower back and is now doing damage to the nerves that control your leg.
Many times I see patients who have neurological origins of pain in their feet that seems to be worst at night. This is generally a result of the position you lie in bed and the pressure it puts on the lower back. You seem to fall into that category.
My recommendation would be to see a neurologist who deals with trauma. In addition you might find more relief from your pain if you see a pain specialist who should be able to come up with a better combination of medications to relieve your pain particularly if you are in as much pain, at times, as you state.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

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Unknown location

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Poland

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location unknown

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anonymous

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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Seattle, WA

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New Jersey

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Evansville, IA

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY

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Colorado

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

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location unknown

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

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Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

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Bellevue, WA

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location unknown

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