I have sciatica problems. All my doctor is doing for it right now is muscle relaxers and we’re going to start some physical therapy soon.
I have new pain in the top part of my thighs. I’m used to my butt and legs hurting, but not this part of my thighs. Can that be a result from the sciatica?
It’s worse in one leg than the other.

I’m assuming you mean on the FRONT of the thighs. Although technically not sciatica because it’s not the sciatic nerve, the femoral nerve can give this presentation. It can occur in much the same manner as sciatica, but it’s just a different nerve.

If you mean the back of the thighs, yes this can occur anywhere along the course of the sciatic nerve. If your legs are feeling better, but now it’s just the top of the thigh that hurts, this is a sign of improvement. The closer the pain moves towards the spine, the better the indicator of a good recovery. This is called the centralization phenomenon and is a well documented predictor of good outcomes.

The muscle relaxers will not help…go to PT if it does not resolve on it’s own.

You do not necessarily need any diagnostic imaging at this time. A good physical exam is just as valuable as an MRI unless you have had a history of cancer, are under the age of 18, over the age of 65, have had a recent trauma, cannot urniate, or are demonstrating significant neuological deficits.