Re: Lower Back Pain

Posted By CCF MD mdf on May 27, 1998 at 12:44:33:

In Reply to: Lower Back Pain posted by Gary on May 24, 1998 at 18:51:39:






In August97 I started having severe burning pain in lower back/hip area
and burning pain down front of my thighs stopping at the knees.
My GP ordered mri that showed "mild bulge L5, mild bulge with protusion L6.
He sent me for 3 epideral blocks which only helped a few days. from
December97 until March98 I just lived with the pain which was mostly
the burning pain in the front of my thighs. In March98 I experienced
the severe burning pain in lower back and thighs that was so bad I missed
2 weeks of work. I was sent to neuroglist and a milogram and ct scan was
ordered. both test showed nothing but a mild bulging disc (which the doctor
told me everybody has). He ordered 3 more epideral blocks that did no
good. He then gave me a book on back exercise. I have been doing the
exercise and walk 45 minutes a day.  Friday night 5/22 my lower back
hurting/burning again and is the worst ever..also right thigh is on fire.
Could this be Spinal Stenois and would the MRI/mylogram/ctscan detect this.
I am 43 years old 6" 1' 192 lbs and in good
shape. Nothing seems to trigger this, it just happens.
Any suggestions would be greatly Appreciated.
Also..if everybody has a mild bulge, why are they not in pain.
=
Low back pain is a complex problem which is not simply explained by structural abnormalities. In fact, there is often little relationship between the severity of the structural abnormality found on MRI and the extent of the pain.
For example, you have mild disc bulging. Indeed, this is so common as to be considered "normal" by some, and most people never really know it's there. It's found often in people who have back pain because those are the people who see doctors and get MRI tests.
Disc bulges are nto the same as herniation. Your report did not indicate impingement of the spinal structures on the nerve structures contained within. Therefore, I doubt that it is "lumbar canal stenosis" per se. Usually, disc bulges are not enough to compress anything. If you have spinal stenosis, an MRI or myelogram/CT would generally show it just fine.
Although we generally check for sinister causes of low back pain, no bad cause is found in the majority. That leaves you with a symptom, but no official "disease." Some people wind up very frustrated by this. Your doctor should take your complaint of pain seriously and treat the symptoms to make you feel better. Usually, what that involves is physical therapy and sometimes certain medications. It sounds like your doctor was on the right track in giving you a book n back exercises, but maybe you might benefit from someone actually putting hands on and guiding you about which exercises work for your situation. Ask your doctor about PT.
If you desire a second opinion, you are welcome to call 800 223 2273 and ask for neurology appointments. I hope this helps. As you know, this information is provided for your general medical education only. Any specific comment regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis must come from your doctor after appropriate evaluation. CCF MD mdf.