Lower Back and Upper Leg/Hip Chronic Pain

[heather lynn]

Please help!!I was in a motor vehicle accident on Feb 11/05.I was hit on the drivers front end(basically from the middle of my SUV hood,to the middle of my door).This is a very long story-I just have a lot of info-I may not be able to fit all in here.I just had surgery in Oct/05 due to a herniated disc(L4/5/S1).Before my accident I've never had any sort of back problems.I am currently taking Duragesic Fentanyl Patch 100- every 3 days,Oxycodone-5/325 2 every 4 hours,Meloxicam 7.5-2 per day,Imovane 7.5-once per day.I have been suffering from chronic lower back pain since Feb/05.The surgery wasn't that successful,the only improvement I had after surgery was that I could straighten my leg,and all the numbness I used to feel (all through my legs,and my back)are gone.I'm seeing a chiropractor daily.He has diagnosed me with a twisted pelvic,my tailbone is completely out of place,all my vertebrae from my neck down to my pelvic are completely twisted.I am still in very bad pain.I just turned 25 years old in Aug/05,and I am walking with a cane.I cannot put any pressure on my left leg,as the pain is very intense all around my pelvic area(where my thigh meets my body trunk).I've had x-rays/bone scan/cat scan/MRI.The MRI was last done in June/05,and it was the only test that showed the herniated disc.Over the months since my accident I have gotten worse,and still am.I don't know what kind of doctor I should be seeing.Doctors who actually see the shape I am in,assume that I was born with scoliosis,as my body has become that twisted.I have proof that I never had any deformities before.

[better by spring]

It sounds as though your lumbo-sacral area is misaligned due to the force of your accident.  Your disc surgery was most likely successful.  Your remaining pain is most likely due to misalignment of you sacroilliac joints and perhaps piriformis syndrome.  All of this can be effectively treated, but you must get to the right people.  The MD answer was correct.  You do need a team for your rehab.  You must find a pain specialist who recognizes and treats piriformis syndrome.  Then you also must find a physical therapist who understands the use of heel lifts in eliminating pelvic obliquity due to Sacroilliac Joint misalignment. I see that you live in Canada.  Consider the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  You need to be treated in a specialized spine center. I mention Mayo only because I know there is a spine center within the Mayo Clinic with physical therapists that understand and treat your specific injury.

The pain you are experiencing is very severe, but can be eliminated.  Without treatment it will become worse.  You will know when your treatment is correct, because pain relief begins soon after treatment.

With sincere best wishes,
Better By Spring

[SarahIzzett2]

I feel your pain on the whole accident aspect.  One thing you do have to realize though is that your accident was not too long ago.  I know a year seems like a long time, but when you have surgery and also have become "twisted" it is definitely a slow recovery period.  I would definitely continue with Chiropractic Care since they perform hands on manipulations.  I agree with the physical therapy and a rehabilitation team, but you have to remember that it is your body.  Alot of places/people do not agree with Chiropractic methods, but you have to make those choices on your own.  The Drs. can advise you and give you their opinion, but you have to remember that you make the final decision.  You have a very complex case, and it sounds as if it will definitely take some time...be patient and don't rip your hair out yet.  One thing to also take into consideration is the pain killers...they will mask the pain, but will not fix the problem.  Make sure you are not doing more damage while in your "pain free" phase.
Best of Luck with everything

[roxiegin]

I suffer from cronic hip lower back and some knee joint pain that is a constant dull ache but gets more severe if I walk stand or sit for more than 15-20 min . I have been diagnosed with cleidocranial dysplasia and need to know if this could be alot of my problem. thank you.

[heather lynn]

Thank you! I appreciate your quick response. I live near Toronto, Ontario in Canada. Do you know of any such place where I can begin to search for these specialist?? Or do you perhaps have any names of any doctors who specialize in any of those areas?