Left lower back, hip/groin and knee pain

[Nevayuh]

I was in a car accident June of '06. I was sandwiched inbetween 2 cars (I was in the middle) Anyways, I had immediate pain and my Ortho sent me to Physical Therapy which lasted approximately 2 months. Felt "ehh" and just dealt with it. Now since June of '07 I have chronic pain all day. I have hip/groin lower back and knee pain on my left side. My ortho sent me to Physical Therapy with a diagnosis of Left Chondromalacio Pattelar L-S spine. I practically 'live' on anti inflammatories and I'm SO SICK OF TAKING NARCOTICS!! I have an MRI set up for Nov 07' but I'm not so sure the MRI will show anything. Sometimes the pain is so bad I end up in the Emergency Room (this month I was there twice) They hit me up w/4 rounds of Morphene which really did nothing for me then they gave me an injection of cortisone. I felt WONDERFUL for 2 days. Totally pain free. I felt as if I had the body of a 16 year old. I'm not too "thrilled" with my Ortho and it's not like I can go find another b/c I have state ins. I called my ins. company and asked for a list of participating providers and called every single one only to find out they no longer participated leaving me to deal with my original Ortho. I am beyond frustrated, I know my body and what I feel is NOT normal. My left leg goes numb, I always trip going upstairs from my left leg..it's almost as if I can't lift it high enough to the next step. Can't sleep on either side, right or left, b/c my hips hurt. I get a shooting pain down the back of my left leg from my lower back all the way down to my foot. My left hip "pops" or "cracks", almost as if you're cracking your knuckles all at once, and my leg sometimes gives out. I feel as if I'm not being taken seriously enough from my Ortho and don't know where else to turn. He flat out told me to lose some weight and that it's all in my head. I've seen the man 5 times this year for the same thing. He ordered ex-rays shortly after my accident and said my hip/knees look fine and that theres nothing wrong with me. I have had no ex-rays of my lower back at all. He just pushes me off to therapy in hopes it'll take care of itself. I told him about my appointment for my MRI and said he thought it wasn't necessary but I'm still going for it anyways. I'm not a Dr and I don't like to "self diagnose" but could I have a blown out disc that's pinching one of my nerves? I really need some feedback here and I need to be taken seriously. I'd appreciate any comments, positive or negative. I'm at the point where I'm actually starting to doubt myself and believing my Ortho that it is really all in my head!!

[Nevayuh]

UPDATE: I went to the hospital lastnight in so much pain...they finally gave me a CT. Scan which revealed a buldging disc at T12 and L2. Does anyone know if this is a serious condition which requires surgery and should I get a 2nd opinion? Went to my Ortho and he referred me to a Neuro for further evaluation. Would appreciate any comments or suggestions.

[softball dad]

I recommend getting and reading, and if you are within his clinics, the book "Pain Free" by Peter Ogosque. Do a search on him on line and look into it. He has several clinics in CA. I was a slice away from surgery when an acquintance, now good friend suggested him.

[softball dad]

www.egoscue.com here is his web address............

[Nevayuh]

Thank you for your advice.....I checked into it and the closest facility is in New York. I will do more research on this...thanks for your help! :)

[suedonny]

I had same thing I just had a hip replacement and that took care of things.. Now Im recovering but that pain is gone