Big Problem and need Ideas

[Martyusa]

  I had an injury to my lower back about 7 months ago. I had fallen down the steps, with my 2 year old daughter in my arms. She was uninjured and of course was my main focus. However, I blasted my tail bone on the top step and continued to ride the steps down on my lower back. I didn't think much of it until a month later when this was not healing and getting worse with trying to live my normal life. I had to stop everything that helped me relieve stress. No more weight training, no more cardio and definitely no more Martial arts competitions.
  I finally went in to see the Doc and had an MRI done. Nothing really to major. I had a slight bulge L5-S1 that was putting some pressure on the nerve. We tried everything we could until I let him talk me into Epidural injections. These were great up to 10  days then the pain started coming back. After the 3rd one and some more anti-inflammatories with some Pain meds. I was told to take it easy and try to go back to some of my normal functions. So I did. I actually felt pretty darn good. I got back into the gym and went very light weight with high reps. Stayed in Work ans was having a ball. UNTIL I had the false pretense that everything was getting back to normal.
      I was out goofing off with my son in the front yard. Running around being a dad and POP. I not only felt it, but my son heard it. I dropped like a rock with pain shooting down both legs and much more intense in the right down the glute to the hammy.
      I went back to the doctor and had yet another MRI done. The bulge was bigger and I have nor torn the disc but not yet herniated it. I was also diagnosed with mild DDD with mild loss of signal and mild narrowing.
      The pain is like a constant toothache in my lower back and slowly creeps down to my tail bone with activity. Sitting too long just kills me and it takes me about 20 feet to get warmed up enough to walk straight. Driving anything is tolerable as long as it's not too far. If it is too far I get this ungodly pain down my right hammy and the back half of my foot will go numb. My toes will get pins and needles once in a while but nothing too crazy. Now the ball of my foot on my right side is starting to go numb once in a while.
     Since all this has happened I have had an additional 2 nerve root injection with the last one being the worst. The Doc tried to get as close as he could and hit the nerve with the pin. That was the worst pain I had ever felt. I have only had 2 spams in my back, but these were up in the Rhom area and not where the pain is focused.
     My biggest concern is getting my life back. Not just getting back to work, but get back to living. I am only 41 years old and have always maintained a healthy lifestyle. I have always been a competitor in Martial Arts, bodybuilding and any other sport I can master. I'm a former US Marine and this whole thing is totally driving me crazy mentally. My only son is 6 years old. When he wants to go out and have a catch, I want to be able to do just that. Not taking anything away from my five daughters, but Dads, you'll understand.
    The Neurosurgeon has me going to PT 3 times a week for 6 weeks to get shocked and iced. It's a 45 minute ride and it just kills me. I will not take pain meds when I am driving and have to deal with it. He doesn't know why it hurts so bad and feels I should be able to drive and hour to work after the PT is complete. I can work from home and work is not the issue. I want my life back and I am not ready to give it up.

I need some thoughts on this.

[Mommy3Girls]

Wow, Marty, I am sorry to hear that. Hopefully all goes well for you. Good luck!!!

[Martyusa]

WOW, after a meeting with my PT. We have come to the conclusion that this may nit be only a back problem. The popping noise that the Doctor said I did not hear but felt could have been a grade 2 tear in my right hammy. I have a lump in the middle of my hamstring and can walk without a limp with compression on my leg. Without the compression type shorts, I tend to limp to avoid the pain.

Now were off the where I should have gone in the first place. I have an appointment to see the Sports Medical Doctors on Monday to evaluate the situation. My biggest concern is if in fact I did tear the hammy it was masked with the back problems. This would have made it more difficult for a proper diagnosis of this complex problem. If it is torn, we are almost 60 days into it. If I can't get this fixed, my Martial arts career is over. This sucks!!!!

[Mommy3Girls]

That is definitely understandable. My Fiance'e had a spinal fusion in the middle of his back, very rare place to have one done, and now he cannot do most of the things he loved to do before. He was a framer and loved his work, and now has a 30 pound weight restriction. Which obviously, as you know limits him to very minimal activities. So i can relate to you not wanting to give up your normal lifestyle. Good luck though.

I wish I could be more help, I just dont know what else to tell you about it.

[Martyusa]

The first opinion that I did receive was from an Orthopedist. He wanted to do a fusion. I told him there are way to many options available to jump the gun on a fusion. i.e. FDA approved ProDisc II or a few other waiting for FDA approval. i.e. the Maverick or even the new nucleus replacement techniques to resolve the progressive DDD.  

That is if in fact I do need that to proceed with my Athletic lifestyle. I would like to do a few more Body building Competitions before I hang up my hat. My main concern is getting ok to maintain daily activities and then really blowing it out while I am training. I'm just not ready to give up that lifestyle as of yet.

[Mommy3Girls]

Hi Marty,

I am a mom and I completely understand that you would want to be able to go play with your son when he wants to. I had the same issues with my little girls. My question for you is have you tried to get a second opinion as well? Sometimes it helps to get another view on things. I know you havent herniated the disc yet, but there may be something that another doc may be able to think of.