Electric Shock Pains

by Rebecca
(United Kingdom)

Hello,

My problem is electric shock type pains that shoot across the top of my feet and the tops of my hands. This does not happen all at the same time, it will mainly affect one limb at a time.

When it does happen I cannot move. I cannot weight bear or move the affected limb as it hurts too much, as if it has locked up in its place.

These symptoms do not happen after over exertion, it can happen at any time and it is very painful.

I also suffer with a pain in both legs, happening in the shin and thigh bones. I do not think it is the muscle as it feels like severe growing pains...I am 23 years old.

I am short for my age at only 5ft. I am also slightly vitamin D deficient at 18.7nmol/L.

I have recently had an MRI Scan of my whole spine. My GP has said that everything is 'normal' although my MRI scan results letter says different. I do not what to think anymore. I know these pains aren't in my head and I am so frustrated.

This are what the scan says:
-Mild Bilateral pes planus
-plantars are unresponsive
-No clonus
-no sign of hyperreflexia
-Examination of the upper limbs was also unresponsive
-no sign of a fracture but there is subluxation of the right ankle joint and probably the same on left ankle joint as the tibia and talus are not in perfect alignment
-Prominence of the central canal within the cord at T5-6-T9-10.
-Mild disc desiccation within the cervical spine and at L5-S1
-Shallow right lateral disc protrusion at L5-S1
-Facet joint disease at L4-5 and L5-S1
-Mild lower lumbar disc and Facet joint disease without neural compression.

He has also wrote "I doubt the syrinx is causing these symptoms".

I really need a second opinion.
I understand this is a lot of information and a lot to take in and I thank you for taking the time, it is really appreciated and i would be very grateful for a response.

Hi Rebecca

I will start by saying your GP is probably not the person who should be making the final decision on your MRI. You are only 23 years old and I would think for someone that young, you have way too much pathology going on in your back. I am not saying it is serious, as I am not a back specialist, but it just seems to be more then would be expected in someone your age.

The fact that you are getting similar symptoms in your feet and your hands would lead me to believe there is an issue with your back as that is the common denominator in your situation. The MRI does reveal problems both in the upper spine and lower spine so it would not be far fetched to assume the back is the source of your problems.

My best advice to you would be to consult with a back specialist, someone who is better trained and understands the relationship between back issues as they may relate to symptoms in the hands and feet.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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