Lower Back

[Gale]

I have had lower back problems for about 10 years now. The initial injury was caused by bending over the hood of my car to secure a bolt. After 4 visits to the chiropractor it seemed to be ok. Since then I have re-injured it 3 more times with each injury progressively getting worse with the last one caused by running in to field a ground ball bending over to pick up the ball on the run. That injury put me in bed for 6 days without getting up and on crutches for the next 4 weeks. Since that injury 3 years ago I have never been the same. I have pains in my hip and down my right leg to my foot, and always have the feeling that one wrong move and it will happen again.

My MRI results are as follows:
May 3, 2000
FINDINGS: There is a 3 to 4 mm in diameter subligamentous disc protrusion and/or osteophytic ridge noted at L5-S1, which abuts the anterior surface of the thecal sac, but does not appear to displace the regional neutral structures. There is mild desiccation of the lumbosacral discs.

Remaining vertebral bodies, intervertebral disc spaces, thecal sacs, and neural foraminal contents are otherwise normal.

IMPRESSION: Mild chronic disc degeneration L5-S1, associated with an apparent stable subligamentous central disc protrusion and/or osteophytic ridge at this level when compared to the prior study of March 31, 1999.    

My Neurologist says it

[Dusty]

i injured my back in a fall,while on the job,which resulted in knee surgery for a torn cartilige and ligiment.The surgery actually rather well,but the more my knee healed,the more my back bothered me.My surgery was exactly 1 month ago and i'm to the point now that i can't even sleep in my bed.My doctor's answer to this was metholprednisolone & oxycontin!! He has sent me for an M.R.I. but he won't read it until Aug.30th.i can hardly walk,it also becomes numb and they have cancelled my comp benefits because they say my back problem is not a result of my fall,although it did not hurt like this before the injury.The pain is excrutiating and i would appreciate any advice as to why you could give me                                                                                Thanks, Dusty

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-RPS]

Dear Gale:

Sorry that your having pain in your back and leg.  The nature of the pain-radiating down your leg suggests that the etiology is radicular or nerve irritation.  We recommend vigorous rehab to stablize the area, teach new techniques for lifting and bending.  I would recommend going this route initially before thinking of surgery.  PT is also a good idea as they can help strengthen the muscles surrounding the spinal column to give it more balance.  We have also seen benefits from osteopathic manipulation and some with chiropractors.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD