Degenerative disc problem, lower limbs discrepancy and leg pain

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi doctor i have constant pain in my left leg from my knee down to my foot which has gotten alot worse this past ten years .i am a 46 year old woman . I had Osteomylitis as a child an have had six surgeries to remove the infection on my left shin bone and it was thought that this might be re accurring again which was not the case. I have seen three orthopedic surgeons, two rheumatologsts and a cardivascular surgeon with no diagnosis . One doctor did say its possible that i have nerve damage caused by the operations that were done on my leg . i also have a 3 inch lenth difference between both legs with left being longer than right. i have had mri,s xrays and radiation bone scans done. my mri was done on my back hips and leg and it showed up that i have a squashed disc at the lower end of my spine if this is of any relevance ? At this stage i really dont know where to turn as all i want is a diagnosis as to what is actually causing this pain.

Dear Linda: Certainly, you have several factors contributing to the symptoms that you mentioned in the question. Degenerative disc disease produces changes in the vertebrae that along with the bulging disc are causing a nerve compression which is the cause of the pain. The treatment options depend on the age, severity of the pain, neurologic symptoms present and if you have some other associated health issue. The first approach is conservative as a Physical Therapy program aimed to control pain and inflammation along with anti-inflammatory medication, if there is no improvement and with time the pain is worse and intractable you should get a reevaluation by an orthopedic surgeon to decide if Surgery might be consider as a treatment option for you.