After being blown off by my “put lotion on it” GP, I went to a podiatrist.
The podiatrist narrowed it down to something bothering my plantar nerve and took x-rays in case it’s a back nerve issue (apparently back problems cause foot nerve problems?). He prescribed some shoe inserts. He was really nice and explained all the things it could be and said I definitely wasn’t crazy and lots of times people are afraid of seeming crazy so they put off nerve problems until they’re really far gone. He didn’t think it was likely that a lipoma was pressing against a nerve, but did think it sounded like I might have a back problem since the foot itching happens when my knee is bent, so had me get x-rays.
The x-rays came back with a “back nerve issue”– no details in the email, just that I’m going to need an MRI. I’ve been referred for that and to a “pain specialist” though do I have pain? Does my back always hurt and I’m just used to it? Is itching pain?
Based on the email (the MRI/pain management), DH thinks it’s a disc problem. I assume one of these days the actual information will get uploaded to the test results section of my online portal.
Update: The radiology xray report got uploaded.
Minimal lumbar spondylosis with no acute osseous abnormality identified.
FINDINGS: 5 lumbar type vertebra are present. No evidence of fracture or acute subluxation is identified. Minimal degenerative disc disease and facet joint osteoarthritis. Vertebral body heights and spinal alignment maintained.
MRI is scheduled for Saturday.
#middleage
Grumpy Rumblings (of the formerly untenured) 
March 6, 2024 at 3:43 am
The sensory nerve fibers that transmit itch & pain signals thru the plantar nerve ultimately enter the lumbar spinal cord thru spinal nerve roots. So undue pressure on the relevant spinal nerves as they traverse the back & enter the spinal column can cause “fictitious” pain and/or itch (nothing fictional about the sensation obvs, just that it doesn’t originate in the peripheral tissue innervated by the nerve fiber). This is what sciatica is: irritation of sciatic nerve fibers in the back that causes pain perceived as originating in the leg.
Almost every middle-aged person exhibits “minimal degenerative disc disease and facet joint osteoarthritis” as an MRI finding & there is basically no correlation between that finding & presence or absence of symptoms. Except in extreme cases of disc “rupture”, even MRI findings considered substantially more severe have almost no correlation to presence or absence of symptoms. (MRI is grossly overprescribed & overinterpreted for pretty much ALL musculoskeletal symptoms, but spinal MRI is the most extreme case.)
IME & IMO as someone with mild sciatica symptoms, regularly working on core strength & flexibility with yoga & pilates keeps my symptoms at a very low level. When it flares, like when I awoke this morning, I did five minutes of lower back stretching & it totally went away.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING MY SCIATICA TED TALK!!! 😹 😹 😹
March 6, 2024 at 11:53 am
Another person with sciatica here. It flared up for the first time after a soccer game, almost 10 years ago now. I first had a mis-diagnosis that made me think I had a permanently deteriorated hip joint and I’d never run or be pain-free again. Finally saw another physical therapist who prescribed a routine of core strengthening and a whole lot of cobra pose to help counteract my normal posture of hunching over my computer. It didn’t take very long before I was 99% pain free. When it flares up, and it’s not even that bad, I just need to check my posture and/or do some cobra stretches and it goes away again. My MRI also turned up arthritis in my spine. I’m glad you found a dr. who would listen and take you seriously! I hope you find a good PT who can help you re-align things without any unnecessary interventions.
March 8, 2024 at 6:14 am
I hope your MRI comes back with a reading you can tackle easily.
March 10, 2024 at 2:52 pm
How did your MRI go? 🤞
March 10, 2024 at 3:07 pm
Uneventful! I will find out next week what the results were.