Thoracic & Lumbar pain

[Glynda1157]

Ihad a recent fall from step ladder, injuring my right side.  Intial DX was bruised ribs.  After 2 weeks, pain was still unbearable.  Had MRI Thoracic spine.  Findings: Caudal disk extrusion with annular tear at T9/T10 with near cord contact, Left paracentral caudal disk extrusion with associated annular tear at T2/T3 with flattening of the ventral thoracic cord, and shallow left paracentral disk herniation at T1/T2 with no cord contact.  Treatment was Ibuprofen, tramadol & norflex.  Dr. then took me off norflex beause it was making me dizzy and put me on prednisone. 2 days ago got severe pain and numbness on left side-buttocks radiating down leg. I slipped & fell on ice 2 months ago and fell on left hip- had pain for about 2 weeks.  Would recent thoracic injury to right side cause left side lumbar pain?  Can MRI deterime old or new injury

[caregiver222]

Oh my goodness. You have my sympathies! The bruised ribs can be helped by comfrey tea (an ancient treatment going back 2,000 years), a couple of cups a day. The Ibuprufin and Tramadol is O.K., and a traditional treatment, but remember the hospital Ibuprufins are 800 mg and the ones you but at a store are only 200 mg. They are a tad hard on the liver, but don't be afraid to take more than one. Get off the prednisone as soon as possible. It's appropriate for short-term use. Among the other issues, long term causes disc deterioration. But your doctor was correct in giving it to you short term. If you can, specify you want a 3T MRI. The older machines are 1T and 2T. The 3T is especially helpful in cases like yours. The left side buttocks and radiating pain are from lumbar nerve compression - sciatica.

Onme thing I would be cautious of is non-traditional practicioners, particuliarly chiropractors. They have a place, but you don't want someone doing deep massage around your damaged tissue.

You seem to have two issues, the thoracic damage and the lumbar damage.

I am not qualified to comment on treatment for the thoracic injuries, however there are leg exercises that are very helpful in the lumbar injury, which causes the buttock pain and leg pain. A professional physical therapist will be a worthwhile investment, even if not covered by insurance.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Yes, a right side injury can cause a left side pain of nerves if the injury has displaced your vertebra in such a way that left spinal nerves are pinched. Yes, MRI can detect old and new injury.
I would strongly recommend you to consult a neurologist ASAP. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage.  Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!