MRI findings: 3mm posterior midline disc protrusion & annular tear effacing the ventral CSF which is slightly larger to previous exam.

I have been having pain in back wear bra strap goes. Cannot wear bra because of pain.  Feels like crushing, tightness around whole chest area when it starts.  This is when movements or after wearing bra for any lenght of time.  I have gone from a 38 band to a 44 over several months then pain set in last few months slowly.  Now seeing family dr who has no idea.  Orthopedic Dr took MRI & said do pain management but family dr & I believe will only mask problem. So he is sending me for more tests. CT of chest no contrast, bone scan middles of back, and a mamogram (mammogram) and I just had one last Nov that was neg. I need help!  I cannot keep on Darvocet.  I am allergic to Demoral & Perocet so I tolerate Darvocet.  I want to go without pain med. I want to go without pain.  I want to find root of problem could the tear at T7-8 have anything to do with my pain???  And wear a bra causes it to hurt more?  I feel kind of like a burning or dull knife type pain there without the bra.  Or like someone is pressing up against that area really, really hard with something.  Not to the point of a pain pill but to the point of hurting bad.  It is when I move around or put the bra on that I need the pill.  Please, please advise.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. I doubt that some spinal nerves may be compressing in spine by disc prolapse & degeneration. By the reason of that nerves from the spinal cord can be irritated causing weakness in the leg, leg/thigh pain and numbness, tingling. Few persons also face generalized body weakness and numbness due to other nerve irritation on back. If you suffer continuous weakness and notice reduced strength of muscle bulk in both the legs, please arrange an appointment with a neurologist right away who will evaluate the possibilities here. These “red flags” could be indicative of compression of the spinal cord and its nerve branches and early treatment is essential if permanent damage needs to be avoided. Further referral to a physiotherapist for spinal exercises could be beneficial and may produce relief of symptoms. Hope this helps.

Take Care & Stay Healthy!!!

[Kalvin]

I have similar pain, are you talking about an annular tear?

[lilly608]

First of all, Darvacet is no more than an aspirin, and actually the side effects far outweigh any benefit it may have, which is none, in my opinion.  I am wondering why the question above was answered by the doctor with absolutely no reference to the original question, but rather information about leg issues.  Anyway, I am curious as to a real answer because my sister has this exact pain in her upper back and has been to so many doctors of every kind, but no one can find out what is causing this pain.  She refuses to take any pain medication other than Advil or an aspirin.  People - when you are in pain, I don't know how you can function without proper pain management, whether it be NSAID's or narcotics of the useful kind.  I know my sister actually beats herself with a brush to relieve pain; now, come on; I believe that there is so much negative press about narcotic pain relief bc of the idiots that do not use it properly and only want to get the high of it.  However, when used properly, it is something I know that I cannot live without, just as a diabetic cannot live without insulin, or the like.  Please be wise in your decisions and please, please be an informed advocate for your own health!!  And, I would hope that the original question receives a proper answer albeit a year later.  I am also wondering about the annular tear since my recent MRI shows that as well, but in the cervical spine.  Good luck!