schmorl's nodes

[xafnndapp]

My sister in Italy is 55, after intense pain at her back for a few days (middle section, with shooting pains also at her rib-cage), she went and had X-rays taken yesterday, and they told her she has Schmorl's nodes at her D-11 vertebre.
No ostheoporosis.

She is quite fit and active, she told me that this pain began after a few days of some extra effort she did carrying something and possibly after an intense session with her chiropractic she has been  seeing regularly for a few years now. She doesn't recall something specific that she did to cause the pain to start.

Her pain is diminished but of course she wants to be reassured that it is not something really problematic.
I did a little research and saw more or less what this is about.

What's the best immediate "therapy" for her?
Rest and chiropratic? Is there something she should be avoiding doing from now on or can she have a normal life?

Thank you very much for your advice.

STEFANO

[star queen]

Schmorl's nodes are not an uncommon finding on spine radiographs. If you look at the picture, it will look much like a bite has been taken out of the bone.  Most of the population has them and doesn't know it. Your sister has probably had these all her life. Schmorl's nodes do not impinge upon the nerves of the spinal cord or cause bulging discs.  There is no treatment for them and they don't change or go away. They are generally painless, so it is doubtful that the pain your sister is having is caused from this finding.  Treatment will not be based upon this finding alone, but on her symptoms, any arthritis found, and general condition of the bone. If your sister is older than 40years of age, I suggest she talk to her MD and see about getting a bone scan (DEXA)to see about any osteoporosis risks.  good luck

[xafnndapp]

Thank you star queen.

Actually she just did a DEXA and she is absolutely fine, no ostheoporosis at all.

She actually is still in pain after one week of the diagnosis and she has to go ahead at pain killers...

[blueyed1980]

I just found out today my husband has Schmorls nodes.  He was in severe pain one day from his eyelashes to his toenails especially in the middle to upper back.  Went to the ER couldnt find out anything, just iflamation of the muscles they said and put him on muscle relaxers, Mobid, and Loracets.  Gradually got worse over next few days could not even get out of bed without help and sever pain, in tears.  He is 44 years old man and in excellent health.  Xrays showed nothing, blood work showed nothing. Finally a MRI came up with the diagnosis. as Schmorls nodes.  Yes he has a also a bulging disc as well but pain was not coming from that.  This pain went on for at least a week with severe pain with help out of bed and then trying to walk and having to stop upper back muscle spasm/pain.  After about 2 months now he is much better but still has a hard time getting enough air in to sneeze, which was impossible at the beginning of this 3-4 month timeframe.  So we are waiting on appointment tomorrow with the doctor on exact extent of this disease.  Pain I assume will return at some point , but no answers to this as of yet.  Thanks.
Debbie

[rpaylor]

This is really interesting. I have just gone through a very similar episode that started about a month and a half ago - gradually increasing pain over a weeks time (from a fall at work) that led to some of the worst pain I've ever had.  Continuous back spasms, couldn't walk or get out of bed without help.  I finally ended up in the ER, where they gave me an x-ray that was inconclusive.  Had to go back to the ER a second time because my legs and feet started going numb.  Finally got an MRI, and guess what - no typical disc herniations and no pressure on the spinal cord, but an acute schmorl's node in L2 with associated edema.  

I started reading up on this, and it seems the medical establishment has recently accepted that even though these are normally asymptomatic, the acute variety can cause severe symptoms.  This partly has to do with the central disc material, which can be highly caustic to blood-fed tissue, coming in direct contact with the blood-rich center of the vertebra.  This causes a lot of inflammation and subsequent acute pain, although this is only part of the picture, I'm sure.  

The good news, from what I understand, is that after the bone heals up properly (which they say can take months), things should be mostly back to normal, although there is a slightly higher risk of back problems in the future.  You need to be careful to NOT go to a chiropractor initially (I made that mistake).  After the bone has healed, then the chiropractor will probably be beneficial, as will some physical therapy to get some strength and flexibility back.

[kwood1]

[kwood1]

A Schmorl's node by defitinition is basically a centralized disk herniation in which the cartilaginous end plate of the vertebral body has sustained fracturing and there was injection of disk material into this fracturing of the end plate. Thus, a Schmorl's node is a form of disk herniation. It is linked to trauma at some point in a person's life. Some people do get them in the teen years when playing sports. Recent research has shown that the material or chemical substances within a disk can cause noxious (painful) stimulus. This is also the case with a typical disk bulge or herniation. You do not have to have direct pressure on nerves to causes pain. Any time the disk loses its integrity and the nucleus shifts to a position outside of its normal confines, it begins to leak chemicals such as substance P, interleukin I, and many other big technical names. These have been found to acutally lead to a dripping of these substances onto the recurrent nerve or spinal nerve itself leading to pain like there was direct pressure on the nerve. This also explains why some people have herniations and Schmorl's nodes that are not painful and others have pain. It is when the disk is actively leaking these substances that it becomes painful. The typical model of thinking is that Schmorl's nodes are not that big of a deal. However, I can tell you by experience, many people have debilitating pain from these. Some helpful treatment notes is that traction and the newer non surgical spinal decompression works relatively good. It will not be a cure all for everyone. Everyone heals differently and there are many cofactors. People with diabetes heal slower for example. use of MSM is a natural anti-inflammatory and has been shown in research to shrink the size of disk herniations. I would also suggest B complex vitamins and use ice at home not heating pads. Disk problems are inflammation. You control inflammation with ice not heat. I have disk herniations and was once basically paralyzed in my left arm due to disk bulging. Disk bulging is seen much like a Schmorl's node. Most physicians see them as being insiginificant because the radiologist says bulge instead of herniation. Junior Bryant of the San Fran 49ers and Chris Depoto of the Colorado Rockies actually had to give up their professional sports careers from "mere" bulging.  I would also recommend Pilates and Yoga based exercises when someone's pain levels begin to decrease for stabilization. Also see a book called Pain Free by Pete Egoscue. I am not selling these products or pushing them. These are recommendations for those in spinal pain and cannot find solutions. I hope this helps.

[bundydi]

Your comments are very interesting. I have had severe low back pain with r leg pain for nearly 3 years. I cannot sit without the pain increasing and then I become nauseous. I have also over the last 6 months had very painful chest pain and it feels like I have a belt tightened around my chest. It is more painful when I breathe in. I have had a few MRI's and have been told that there is nothing surgical that can be done. The most recent MRI says I have a number of small Schmorl's nodes in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine and prominent posterior and right sided osteophytes related to the t4/5 and t5/6 discs. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis.

[Bonkee]

I totally agree and appriciate your reasearch and opinion about smorl's nodes.  I think the medical comunity is unaware of the pain caused by these smorl's nodes.  I also think many people with no apparent herniation or buldge, but apparent smorl's nodes are routinely sent home with the understanding that nothing is wrong with them.  I had an injury and the same thing has happened to me, in my opinion is you get a smorls node from injury or event and its painful you must get rest becuase this irritiation will never stop if it does not have time to heal ( my present situation).  I have smorls nodes in the thorasic area extensively and have pain in my thoraisc.  One interesting finding is that when I had a discogram from T-5 to T-8 we found a symptomatic herniation in T6-T7, an asymptomatic herniation at T7-T8 and supprisingly a symptomatic disc at T5-T6 and what is there, a smorls node.  I think many of my others are symptomatic as well.  But I am no doctor.

[k will]

I have had constant severe lower back pain for 6 weeks and had begun with typical PT activities to strengthen core spine muscles ( lumbar multifidus and transversus abdominis ). After several weeks I was still in great pain and had an MRI with contrast of the lumbar spine done yesterday.  The radiologist report noted an acute Schmorl's node at L4 to the inferior endplate and related edema and swelling in the area.  I am beginning oral steroids at my Dr's recommendation but would like to better understand what options exist for repairing both the disc and the hole that has developed in the bone marrow of the vertebra.

[cowgirldollar]

I found your comments on schmorl's nodes and pain related to "bulging" disc due to chemicals that irritate the nerve interesting.  My husband has schmorl's nodes at multiple levels in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine and has had a recent microdiscectomy at L3-L4 with re-injury.  The recent MRI shows only bulging in the L3-L4 and L4-L5 region and he is in terrible pain radiating down into his hip and leg.  The symptoms are the same as they were when the disc was herniated before surgery but the doctors don't treat the bulging the same as the herniation but the pain is the same and the schmorl's nodes were mentioned on 2 of the 3 MRI's he has had.  I've been wondering if the schmorl's nodes were significant even though the doctors do not seem to place much significance in them.
cowgirldollar

[Hockey17]

I was diagnosed as having a schmorls node L5-S1.  (some other minor buldges L3, L4) It was found last Feb.  I have had back issues for a lot of years, but the pain from this is like no other.  I had an MRI from 2002, that that they compared to on from 2007. The pain radiates out to the outside of my hip, making it tough to walk and bend, but the pain never radiates down.  I'm 43 and an avid ice hockey player.  I ended my season early last year, and  did all the therapy thru the summer, and now I have played 1 game this fall and I'm a wreck.   Everything I read is about controlling inflammation.  Has anyone tried any herbals.  I looking at a pill that contain glucosamine, boswellia, devils claw, turmeric, and ginger.  I'm also reading about Mona-vie Active, a power juice also with glucosamine.  has anyone gone down this path?  Really want to keep skating.

[janycathy]

My 16 year old was finally diagnosed with a Schmorl's node from a cheer accident two months ago and she is suffering terribly.  Does anyone know how long this will take to heal, does it heal and what can be done?????????

[commandk]

Have a 17 year old daughter that is now being diagnosed with Schmorl's nodes.  She is a softball player and works out rigoursly during the off season with a trainer.  Has been in terrible pain.  Radiologist brother in law after two MRI's  has made diagnosis and we believe to be correct.  He thinks laying off all activity is key.  However, don't know if she is willing to do so.  Having tried PT and chiropractic, now thinking about trying accupuncture to help with the pain.

[JainMD]

Hi Jany,
What's your daughter’s name?
Schmorl nodes are intra-osseous vertebral lesions that are common findings on plain radiographs and CT and MRI scans of the spine.
These nodes represent disc material that has herniated through weak areas in the adjacent vertebral endplates into the vertebral body. In some cases, these weak areas may be the physiologic sequelae of the regression of vascular canals near the end of vertebral growth (particularly in young patients), whereas in other cases they represent a weakened endplate or sub-chondral bone.
Such herniation also may occur through pathologically weakened bone, and they usually are found in the thoracic or lumbar spine, although there have been reports of Schmorl nodes of the cervical spine.
In your daughters case I think the disc penetration may be secondary to acute trauma while playing.
Treatment is symptomatic. In the presence of an acute intra-osseous herniation, NSAIDs and rest is the mainstay of care until the patient is able to resume normal activity. Bracing may be initiated for comfort if needed.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy may help with persistent backaches. It should consist of extensor strengthening and flexibility and endurance training.
Prognosis is generally good.
What kind of follow up have the doctor planned for your daughter?
What treatment modalities has he planned?  What is the line of management?
I would be interested to know.
Keep me informed.
Bye.

[Texas_Woman27]

My husband just found out he has a Schmor's node in his lower back.  He is 29 years old and always has severe back pain.  This was diagnosed through a Lumbar Spine X-Ray.  He doesn't like taking pain pills and can not afford insurance.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

[JainMD]

Hi Texas woman,
What is your name?
As I have told earlier, Schmorl nodes are intra-osseous vertebral lesions that are common incidental findings on plain radiographs and CT and MRI scans of the spine.
These nodes represent disc material that has herniated through weak areas in the adjacent vertebral endplates into the vertebral body.
In some cases, these weak areas may be the physiologic sequelae of the regression of vascular canals near the end of vertebral growth (particularly in young patients), whereas in other cases they represent a weakened endplate or subchondral bone.
Such herniation also may occur through pathologically weakened bone, and they usually are found in the thoracic or lumbar spine, although there have been reports of Schmorl nodes of the cervical spine.
Can you tell me what is reported on imaging study?
How is the Schmorl found out?
Is MRI being been done? What does the doctor have to say about his back pain?
What could be the cause for it?

[reducemisinformation]

A vertebralplasty is a possible solution to end the pain of schmorl's modes.  The broken ends of the vertebral bodies (back bones) are filled in with cement, allowing the disc to remain as a flat cushion between the bones, reducing inflammation.
Chiropractors and physical therapists do little to cure the pain, and in fact can cause more harm.  
The standard treatment is complete rest to allow the bones to heal, and if they don't, the first treatment might do the trick.

[Fluffysmom]

A vertebroplasty is a treatment for a compresssion fracture of vertebrae, which I have at T7.  Unfortunately, it works best if the fracture is less than a year old; mine happened 22 years ago.  I have marrow edema , which they say "may be a source of persistant pain".  I have multiple small Schmorl's nodes at opposing endplates specifically at levels T8-9, T10-11, T11-12, T12/L1.  I won't even start on my lumbar region!  Anyway, my pain has increased over the years, and I haven't been able to wear a bra for more than 8 years because of it.  If the bone heals up, then there must still be nucleus material leaking on nerves, since I have pretty intense pain.  My MRI from 5/23/07 showed "multilevel mild to moderate degenerative disc disease changes...from approximately T3 through T9, manifested as loss of disc space height, disc dehydrative changes, mild disc bulging and mild endplate spondylosis changes, also several levels of mild endplate reactive changes anteriorly.  Anyway, I went to see an interventional radiologist, who told me he didn't know why I had come to see him; it was too late to do a vertebroplasty.  My Sports & Spine doctor said there was really nothing else to do, after trying an epidural injection at T7.  Sigh!   Now I've been learning about Nucleoplasty, and wonder if it might help if my bulging discs have worsened and are contained herniations.  On December 10, 2007, I lifted my cat in his carrier, turned to go into the vet's office, and herniated L4-5.  My chest wall tightened up and muscles went into spasm and my thoracic pain is worse.  Should I ask for another thoracic MRI?  Oh, and a hip arthrogram showed that I have a 12 mm labral tear at the 12 o'clock position.   For Pete's sake!  Thanks for listening!  I'm trying to figure out (while going through epidurals and a possible cortisone shot in the hip) if I should try to get my hip repair first, or nucleoplasty or microdiscectomy first. Oh, yeah, I also have a hypermobile SI Joint.  Any ideas?

[gigi21]

I am 27 years old and I was found six schmorl's nodes in my thoracic. No medication will alliviate this horrible pain, it has been more than six years with pain, I tried therapy, pain management, cortizone and epidural injections and it does not help me at all I even had to quit my job for this pain, I really need some advices on what to do.

[JainMD]

Hi Gigi,
Schmorl nodes are intra-osseous vertebral lesions that are common incidental findings on plain radiographs and CT and MRI scans of the spine.
These nodes represent disc material that has herniated through weak areas in the adjacent vertebral endplates into the vertebral body.
In some cases, these weak areas may be the physiologic sequelae of the regression of vascular canals near the end of vertebral growth (particularly in young patients), whereas in other cases they represent a weakened endplate or subchondral bone.
Such herniation also may occur through pathologically weakened bone, and they usually are found in the thoracic or lumbar spine, although there have been reports of Schmorl nodes of the cervical spine.
Treatment is symptomatic.
In the presence of an acute intra-osseous herniation, NSAIDs and rest are the mainstay of care until the patient is able to resume normal activity.
Bracing may be initiated for comfort if needed.
Physical therapy may help with persistent backaches.
Should consist of extensor strengthening and flexibility and endurance training
Prognosis is generally good.
Complications can occur in form of loss of substantial disc space, degenerative joint disease of the facet joints may result, with additional symptoms.
If the diagnosis is unclear, or if pain does not resolve within 6 to 8 weeks, serial radiographs should be taken to ensure that the lesion does not grow or change in character.
I think you need to re-plan your imaging study and pain management with help of available resources.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[Brighteyez]

Hello I have a 14 year old son, that was taken to the ER today. Woke up for school crying saying that he cant move, after many hours in the ER they told me he has Schmorl's Nodes, and Scloesis.  The doctor told him this and now he has gave up on life.  Could someone please help me I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks Penny

[JainMD]

Hi,
How is your son feeling now?
I can understand you might be feeling devastated as this is happening to your son.
What's your son’s name?
Schmorl nodes are intra-osseous vertebral lesions that are common findings on plain radiographs and CT and MRI scans of the spine.
These nodes represent disc material that has herniated through weak areas in the adjacent vertebral endplates into the vertebral body. In some cases, these weak areas may be the physiologic sequelae of the regression of vascular canals near the end of vertebral growth (particularly in young patients), whereas in other cases they represent a weakened endplate or sub-chondral bone.
Such herniation also may occur through pathologically weakened bone, and they usually are found in the thoracic or lumbar spine, although there have been reports of Schmorl nodes of the cervical spine.
Treatment is symptomatic. In the presence of an acute intra-osseous herniation, NSAIDs and rest is the mainstay of care until the patient is able to resume normal activity. Bracing may be initiated for comfort if needed.
What treatment is planned? Have the doctor's mentioned about physical therapy? If yes, what they have to say about that?
What is the treatment planned? What have they mentioned about Scoliosis? What is degree of angulations of scoliosis?
Keep me posted.
Bye.

[JainMD]

Hi,
You can also ask the doctor regarding vertebroplasty as mentioned by fluffysmom on this forum.

[Brighteyez]

Thanks so much,
His name is Michael, and I still can't get him to come out of his room.
He keeps saying that he wishs that his life was over cause all the pain he is in.
We have not get in to see his doctor yet.  They are so busy with the cold thats going around they cant get him in for 2 weeks.  So Mike is just going crazy.
Please help

Thanks

[JainMD]

Hi,
How is Mike doing?
So you have not been to doctor as of yet. Well keep me posted once you visit the doctor. Meanwhile you can treat Mike with OTC analgesics like Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen and topical analgesics ointment too.
You can take appointment of physiotherapist meanwhile so that some pain and ROM would be taken care of.
Physical therapy may help with persistent backaches.
Physical therapy should consist of extensor strengthening and flexibility and endurance training.
Good Luck.
Bye.

[gigi21]

Hope everybody is doing better, I still have a lot of pain, when I wake up and the whole day even when I go to sleep 24/7, I am taking tramadol, meloxican, and carisoprodol and nothing helped. Did somebody try anything else, I just don't want to give up yet, I have a lot of faith that some day everything is going to be back to normal, I am doing yoga sometimes though but I will keep in touch, Please let me know if something new can help me with this chronic pain

Thanks a  million guys

[JainMD]

Hi,
Have you tried epidural steroid injection? I think you can discuss this option with your doctor regarding steroid injection. You should not be taking more 3 injections per year.
It is better to get this procedure done by experience doctor.
Have you heard about this procedure?
Keep me posted with your answers.
Bye.

[gigi21]

Hello, yes I tried epidural injections, I went over for three sessions and did not help me at all,it just messed up my menstrual cycle,  the doctor told me that I have to live with the pain  and I have 6 on my thoracic and 2 on my cervical, any other suggestions??

Thank you very much

[JainMD]

Hi,
Are you aware of vertebroplasty and has that been tried for you? Vertebroplasty might help you in relieving pain.
The entire procedure is described in following URL; you can go through and keep us posted regarding your thoughts.
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=vertebro&bhcp=1
Keep us posted with your thoughts.
Bye.

[LAwrstlerDAD]

My son is a 14 year old wrestler that was diagnosed with Smorl's Nodes last year.  His original complaint was back pain in the thoracic/lumbar area.  The Smorl's nodes  exists between L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4.  The prescribed treatment was rest, PT, stretching, and core strengthening.  This improved his symptoms significantly.  While wrestling did not create any symptoms, exercising did.  We had to modify his exercise routine because too many push-ups for example would start to cause pain.  Over the past few weeks, even wrestling has started to cause pain.  He has another appointment this coming week, but I was curious if you have any advice for a youth with these symptoms.

My son really enjoys wrestling, but I am starting to be concerned that it could cause more injury.  He has not reached puberty which I understand the vertebral endplates are softer until after puberty.  Also, there was no trauma that we are aware of that caused this condition.  He was sometimes using weights to exercise.  The weights were used occasionally and were not heavy (low weight, high reps).  He was using them as a routine change from his normal exercise routine of push-ups, sit ups, etc.  Could this have caused the injury?  

[sheltie]

My husband is 63 years old, and was recently diagnosed with a compression of the superior endplate of T11 with a small Schmorl's Node.  He is in pain all the time, and the doctors don't believe that he has that much pain.  Is there something we can do for this or is he going to be in pain forever.  They have given him some pain medication but it just doesn't work anymore.  Please let me know if we could do anything to help him, as he can't seem do anything he use to do and he feels that he is worthless.  
Thank you.

[DeWakins]

I'm a carpenter who thot my 16 years of pain was just from my trade and the injuries that come with it. However, I just found out I had a Schmorl node right where the pain is eminating from. It is very painful to bend over and pick things up or even leaning over a sink to brush my teeth or wash my hands, which is not happening at this point.  Ok- I've wimpered and snivelled enough, I know there are people here who are much worse off than me, but I too would like to lead the remainder of my life with out pain. My ability to earn a living is directly related to this narley node. I would like to know:

Can it simply be surgically removed?

Thanks,  Derrick

[CelestC]

I fell on my back while in the service, and afterwards I started having pain in my left hip.  Many tests were run to try and find what was causing this pain, but everything looked fine. It wasn't until a physical therapist started poking around my back that things changed.

The findings of the first MRI are below.  I have had several done over the past six years for my back, and everything looks about the same:

1. multiple degenerative Schmorl's disease from T11/12 down through L4/L5

2. Bulging discs at L2/3 and L4/5

3. L3/4 centeral disc protrusion, 5mm

4. Loss of height of disc at L5/S1


After six years - the only change is that the discs are more out of place now then they were before, and I am developing bone spurs.

I've done physical therapy (over 50 hours alone while in the service) trigger point injections, TENS, and drug treatments.  All to no avail.  I'm still in pain, walking is particualary painful because I feel it up in my hip and back.  It just never got better.

I don't know what else to try.  I am a disabled veteran because of my back - which means the formal medical board thought there was something wrong.  Ironically the specialists I see in the VA insist that my back is normal.  Which is it - and can I ever get back to normal.  It's even harder now because I am dealing with hyperparathyroidism and a thyroid nodule on top of all this.  

Celest

[JudyL60]

Hi, my name is Judy. I am 47 years old and I have suffered from back pain for years. In fact, I can't remember not having some type of back pain. It's gotten worse over the past few months. I have taken several different NSAID's , pain meds, steroids, you name it, I think I have taken it! Lol!! And nothing seems to help. I really don't want to keep taking the pain meds because I'm afraid of getting addicted. I usually wait until the pain is unbearable before I take them and then my heat pads helps so much. i have one at home and at work. I recently had an MRI, the results were: Chronis Schmorl's nodes at L1-2 and L2-3 and mild degenerative canal narrowing at L4-5. No herniated disks,annular disk bulges,lateral recess, or neuroforminal stenosis. The Doc's sugestion is to refer me to a Neurologist and have a nerve block. Any suggestions on how to alleviate the pain and also any comments on the nerve block? Actually, any help on this would be reatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Judy
TN-USA

[kevmister]

I am 16 years old.
Played Baseball and basketball my whole childhood.
Then Skateboarded the last three years.
Until last Jan. when I suffered a trauma injury to the back.
I had no clue it was even bad so I kept skating.
The pain got worst and worst and now i havent been able to do ANYTHING the last 6 months. And have had chronic back pain everyday.
Its so depressing and I cant stand being in pain anymore.........

If there are any idea or suggestions someone has, I would greatly appreciate them.

[Xena67]

I am a 40 year old woman.  In 2005 I was injured at work when a door fell on my head.  Since then I have had neck and lower back injuries.
Workman's comp.  denied my claim and settled for almost nothing.They said because I have an extra vertaebra that it was my fault.  I have bulging and ruptured disks all through my back and neck.  And also have Schmorls's nodes in many of my endplates.  I also have burstiis in my right hip.
I couldn't walk for 18 months, at one point I was actually in a wheelchair.  I went to specialist after specialist and nothing helped, they actually told my I needed to see counseler and not a doctor because my pain was in my head.
Then I found a website called Lose the Back Pain and it helped me walk again.  I still have some pain and sometimes have to take Pain medication but the like before.  I hope this will help someone out there.

[rondon]

My son is fifteen and very active. he first developed backpain last year after a track practice where the athletes repeatedly jumped on one leg over tiny hurdles. He recovered from that, but the pain returned the next year when he jumped up the stadium stairs on one leg at football practice. This time the pain would not subside and an MRI showed Schmorl's nodes. He also has never been very flexible (able to touch his toes); I read that was also a Schnorl's symptom. After reading the previous postings I cannot stop crying.
My son lives and breathes football. He is playing through the pain right now because he prefers that to not playing at all. It is the only thing that he is passionate about. He knows that he will probably never be an NFL player so he is considering various career paths that will allow him to stay close to the sport (physical therapist, PE teacher/ high school coach, etc.). From what I have read it seems that he should stop playing right now and never play again. I don't want to tell my son that he has to give up something that brings so much joy to his life. Can't something be done?

[Pablo422]

        I fell snowboarding and fractured my sacrum about a month ago.  The sacrum has fully fused and I am feeling better.  I had a CT scan in the ER that showed my hairline fracture, no big deal.  The CT also showed a pars defect and schmorl's nodes in my L4/L5.  My lower back has been progressively getting better I thought up until about a week ago when I woke up and struggled getting out of bed.  This was a different pain from the sacral fracture in a different area of my lower back.  It radiates to my right hip but does not shoot down the leg.  Since then my lower back in the lumbar region has been in severe pain.  I can walk, and carry on with daily activities just fine, but going from a sitting position to standing is absolutely horrible.  I have a very high pain threshold and it feels like a 9 at least.  I have been extremely athletic throughout my 26 years with kickboxing, boxing, soccer, swimming up until my snowboarding fall last month.  All of a sudden I feel like an old man gettting up, out of the car, and out of bed.  Its only been a month since the fall, I am not pushing it at all, I have been going to the chiropractor for weekly adjustments and massage therapy.  I have been taking NSAIDS such as Ibruprofren 800mg about 3 x's per day.  I have been using ice as much as possible, especially at night when my symptoms are at the worse.  I am as frustrated by this chronic pain as anyone on here, trust me.  I am trying to get more advice on treatment.  Should I be stretching more?  Are there any herbals? What about injections?  Surgery has always been the last resort in my book, but if that's what it takes to get rid of this pain, so be it.  Please someone let me know if there's anything I can do more.

[lac911]

In January 2009, I had a really bad slip and fall down concrete stairs. After fall I had a moderate degree of back pain that was treated with steroids and narcotics. After about 3 weeks my back pain began to increase, eventually to the point where I could barely walk or get up from a standing or lying position.Pain radiated from mid back to left hip, devoid of any leg symptoms. Hence, I went to the ER in hopes to obtain a CT or an MRI. The first worry was a fracture, but the CT was negative. I then had a contast enhanced MRI and an acute T11 smorl's node was identified with possible fracture to pedicle. We are now in March and despite the rest and  the pain medications, I still have constant pain. I was running 5 days a week prior to this fall and now I am reduced to a reclining chair. I fear depression creeping in. I need to know that with a little more patience I will be feeling better....Its just been too long.

[jdiddy39501]

In Feb. of last year I fell down a flight of stairs while offshore and landed on my thoracic spine. I have been living with pain not only in my back but when it really acts up I get a fist sized ball of pain right behind my sternum. I went to the ER a week after the accident because the company's doctor just said that I had a strained muscle and just kept trying to pump me full of pain meds. I got X-Rays and a CT w/o contrast while at the ER. After the CT they came and gave me a shot of Demerol that just took the edge off the pain. They recogmended that I go have an MRI done because the swelling was too severe to see anything. I didn't have the money for that so I've just lived with the pain for over a year. Recently the pain has gotten much more frequent preveneting me from even holding my 5yr old son. Yesterday I went back to the ER to pick up my CT and Radiologist's report. Right there is big bold letter's it said that I had a Schmorl's Node in my mid thoracic, didn't actually give me an exact location. I've been looking this condition up on the internet and most thing I read say that it is asymptomatic and maybe minor pain. I'm gonna get a lawyer involved to have the company fix my back but my question is how can anyone consider this pain to be minor??? I have had multiple broken bones and have been ejected from a car in an auto accident and none of that even comes close to touching this pain when its bad. Does anyone think that I could also have a bulging disc that could have been missed on the CT that is causing these severe pains?

[inkfreak1976]

hello,
i to have been diagnosed with increased smoral nodes, with wedging,and ajustment issues, i forget the word for it. diagnosed from mri.
i also have a secondary diagnoses from a spine and pain group with non spacific back pain& derangment , diagnosed from a regular exam by 2 dr,s at the same time.
the area affected is t1-t9, symtoms in cluding severe pain of the mid back and neck, and as with everyone on this post, the pain is so bad i am getting extremly desprate for releif. the spine and pain dr's have rx'ed  phsyacal theropy for the 6th time, all resaulting in the same resault of no releif and a new levale of increased pain.
i have back pain sence i was 14 yrs old and has steadly increased sence i am 32 now. i was discharged from the military, and the fire service because of this pain. and have been unemployed for two years from inability to cope with the function's of any job with out the aid of pain killers of what ever type that i may be on at the time. and i refuse nercotics when offered because i dont want to be an adictt and in pain.
but i am getting to the point to whare i dont care about about the possible addiction, being a recovered addict and open about my drug use to the dr's . thay are not willing to give me nercotics for pain mostly from my deniel . but never the less treat me differnt  from my openess. to the point i dont mention it anymore in fear of this same reaction. and for those who may think that im looking to get nercotics, i have been clear of my addiction for seven years with no relapse, and i havent taken any type of nercotic for at least a year, and that was after a tooth extration.
but any way id like opions on weather i should go threw this pt. i wanna get better. because im loseing everything that i have ever loved, including my relationship of 4 years. and i cant bare the pain anymore.
im interested in any opions that you may have.

[gyropilot]

I have developed similar symtoms to most described here. Three months of severe pain in lower back,hips & down legs . CT scan showed node formation of the S1 . Referal to have MRI . Nothing much seemed to curb the pain until I started to use an old inversion table I've had for years for minor back complaints .Hanging upside down ( don't go past 60 deg. ) for 15-20 minutes morning & afternoon has reduced the pain to the point I can bend down to put my boots on.
  I have also started taking powdered glucosamine in a glass of milk & fish oil tablets. Next I think I will sart swimming again to build up core strength.
Hope this helps someone.

Eric

[ron1978camaro]

sorry hate to burst anyones bubble but i have been suffering for over 18 months now and have finally accepted what my doctor has been telling me all along ,i have schmorls nodes T6 thru T11 and there is nothing that any doctor can do but treat the pain and believe me there is a lot of pain with schmorls nodes ,i now will be trying the spinal cord stimulator because i have to take so many drugs to deal with the pain and i cant take it  anymore . i currently work full time but dont know what the future holds for me .please dont let anybody tell you schmorls nodes dont cause pain

[rouxkie]

Hi All I’m 26

A few weeks back after a wakeboarding session, I started to have really bad back pains that weren’t allowing me to move a lot, felt like I wanted to collapse at some times, I could feel nerves pinching. So I went to the chiropractor and they started treating me... they said I should feel relief after 3 weeks, last week was the fourth week and nothing has changed... I decided to go to the doctor to get a referral to get a CT Scan just to check things out if it was very serious... well the results showed I have schmorls nodes in my lower back L2 somewhere... the doctor has given me inflammation tablets and said everything looks pretty normal and all good it’s just inflammation in the muscles and some muscles that is pinching my nerves and that the medication will take care of this...

Since then it has been a little better the last 3-4 days... but then I stumbled across this site...  reading all this, does it mean that the pain will always be there if I stop using the medication... I was under the impression that after the medication the inflammation would be gone and nothing to worry about and I can go about doing what I did before....???? Is it worth pursuing doctors’ recommendations on this or is this it...? Also if I can bare that pain would I damage anything if I continue doing sports etc...?