Bulging Disc L5-S1 Nerve pinched and nail bed blue/purple

[jennyhuongtran]

Hi Friends,

       I am 34 years old,I had back injured at work back 2001 and MRI 2001 showed i had tear. i alway had back and pelvis cramping. recently 2010 i doing some jogging and suddently my back start chronic pain to my buttock,behind thigh down to my calf and ankle on left side. I being therapy since jan 2011 and my new MRI took jan 2011 show i had a L4-L5-S1 bulging disc. there is a broad based left paracentral disc protrusion which measures approximately 6mm in ap diameter which effaces the anterior thecal sac and impinges the descending left S1 nerve root. resulting mild to moderate central canal stenosis. there is mild to moderate left neural foraminal stenosis with possible impingement of the exiting left L5 nerve root. the right neural foramen is mildly narrowed.  
          I being had chronic back pain ,buttoch,thigh calf,ankle since august 2010. my nail bed being turn blue/purple and i had alot of short of breathing, no energy and weakness . also i had urgen bladder every 10-15min and constipation bowel movement. i current take neurontine and fibercon and laxative stool softner. i being physical therapy for five months now doesnt have at all and i am waiting for epidural injection. my problem i worry was my blood circulation i had on my nail bed and short of breathing. please any friends here had same symptom please give me some advise i appreciate it.

[jennyhuongtran]

           dear.dr.sharma ,


                   I would like to thanks you for your advise on my concern. I had went to the Emergency twice due the short of breathing and cant go bowel movement /urgen urine and the doctor at emergency doctor had blood test on blood clot and ultra sound and check up my liver and kidney my test they are normal. he just recommand me to see back my ns doctor. and I wont see my ns doctor until june 21,2011. once again thanks you very much.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. I understand your predicament, canal stenosis in lumbosacral region results in radicular pain, neurogenic claudication or both. Lateral canal stenosis leads to nerve root compression, radicular pain, weakness and numbness along the affected nerve distribution. the claudication could be responsible for cyanosis of the nail bed. The bowel and bladder symptoms may be due to myelopathy. Treatment may be conservative or surgical, conservative includes physical therapy with strengthening exercises for paraspinal musculature, bracing, use of optimal biomechanics, NSAIDs, analgesics, antispasmodics,etc. surgical decompression is indicated for people incapacitated with pain, claudication, neurological deficit, or myelopathy.  you need to consult a neurosurgeon on the possibility of surgical decompression but prior to that the shortness of breath needs to be checked for a cardiac or lung pathology. Hope this helps. Take care.