Wednesday 2 January 2013

Knee pain and Nerve root innervation cycle


 Many patients present in my practice with symptoms that  appear to be similar to the problem mentioned! The L3 Nerve root innervates the knee and thigh muscle and simply pulls on the knee-cap and produces motion - ideal for walking the golf course. 

The somewhat normal stooped Golf posture also relieves any nerve root compression associated with even mild age related normal degenerative change of the spine.

Once in bed ( especially if a soft mattress) the spinal position relative to the Nerve roots is shifted and this irritates the nerves and may produce a referred pain into the thigh muscle and spasm that pulls on the knee cap and compresses it painfully into contact with the femur underneath --- especially if the cycle continues for many weeks! 

Since there is no structural damage the pain is relieved on gentle exercise.

The Spine needs a structural and functional examination to conform these suspicions for a treatment plan to be planned and acted upon. 

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