Should I ask for an MRI for hip, knee pains and a numb big toe?

Question:

I've experienced pains in my knee a lil stiffness in my hip and the top of my big toe is numb. The numbness is the latest in the saga of this leg. Sometimes the knee swells but then it goes away like nothing. I've had an xray and the Dr says beginning arthritis. Blood work was fine, no red flags. However, is numbness a sign of that as well? I'm inclined to have an MRI

Answers:
If the numbness is ONLY at the big toe and no where higher up on the leg, it is not a spine problem and a MRI of the spine would not help. The hip and knee complaints sound like arthritis. the test for numb peripheries in the absence of a known/suspected peripheral neuropathy would be a nerve conduction study.

If you don't like what your doctor is saying, get a second opinion, and only do it if another doctor recommends it. An MRI is expensive - that insurance money is better spent on someone who really needs it.

I would get an MRI of your lower back.
that would explain your hip and toe symptoms.

If the pain and numbness radiates from the outside of your butt, through your hip, and around to your big toe, it's possibly a pinched nerve due to a bulging disk at the L4-L5 joint of your spine.

Your knee may be related to your back, or (because of the swelling) it might be something different all together!

Good luck!
Sheena

Should I ask for an MRI for hip, knee pains and a numb big toe?

Health Resources