Back Injury

[bobbycolb]

On Monday Jan. 27, 2011. i was tarping a machine. I Pulled the tarp out of a gain box and set it on the ground. A co-worker of mine helped me put it on top of the machine. I then Climbed up the machine and proceeded to unroll the tarp. At this time my lower back began to tighten up. By the time i was done tarping the entire machine i could barley stand up. I then proceeded to drive to the job i was on thinking i could work the kink out of it, bu as i tried to climb out of the truck i could bare no weight on my left leg or back. i came back to the yard and was sent to Concentra. and told the doctor what was wrong.

1. my lower back is in extreme pain.
2. I can't straiten my leg out cause it sends a sharp pain to my lower spine.

So he then asked me what doctor i go to for back pain and what do i know about back pain. Is he insinuating something? I told him i don't have back pain till now and i don't know anything about back pain other then what i feel now. I got an x-ray and nothing showed up. His diagnosis was strained lumbar. He then sent me to the physical therapy in his office and i did that crap which made it hurt worse.  and prescribed me 600mg of Ibuprofen, returned me back to work with restrictions of no lifting over 25 pounds.(I can't even barely walk much less bend over). I took Tuesday off and went to therapy weds. i told the PT that there is no improvement for pain and my left legs aches. feels like i don't have toes hard to explain. i can't sit too long or i get locked up and i can't stand long either. He said its because of the swelling. (what swelling) It is now Thursday and no changes. My hips hurt and the left buttocks hurts. i have to take short strides when i walk and i still can't straighten my leg out, or feel my whole foot now. I have to see the Doctor Tomorrow for a follow up.

I would really like some advice on what i should do. I am not one of those looking for workers-comp. If i was i could have done that along tome ago when i lost my thumb. i just want it fixed so i can go back to work.

Thanks.

[bobbycolb]

UPDATE!!!!

Just got back from PT and doctor. I clearly explained the issues i have had since monday IE: Pain is no longer across the lowerback but centered on the lower spine, loss of feeling sinsation to toes and pain in left buttocks and a total uncomfortabe feeling in left leg all together. I also told him about not being able to get full movement from my left leg without the feelinf of someone stabbing me in the spine with a knife. He says that my back is inflamed and that i need to continue working my back like i did before i got hurt. I told him about when i walk somtimes i studder step because of a loss of feeling to support my self standing up. He then gave me a shot for inflamation and released me back to work with restrictions of no lifting 25lbs.  My type of work i do is very strenuous. i climb crawl push and pull. My job is dangerous (I have halph a thumb to prove it.) i need to be able to react very quickly somtimes. I went to my boss and told her that he still has the same restrictions as i had the first time and told her that he said to go on doing what i was doing to keep my back working. So i am!!!!! But when or if i fall or have another accident that could be more serious then this one because of the extreme pain i am dealing with, who will answer to that one.

Thanks yall Hope to hear from ya.

[squirtatious]

I'm not dr however it sounds loike u may have some sort of lumbar root nerve compression. I'm betting at or around ur l5/s1 region. An mri will be able to determine this, I wish u well and can relate to something happening out of the blue that causes immediate and life-altering symptoms. Keep us posted.

[mooksmom]

A MRI will tell if there is damage to your discs in your back AND one with contrast will tell IF there is nerve involvement and at which discs. They can be done on the same day at the same time.

[bobbycolb]

Thanks for you response sherry. I have talked to many people and they say the same thing. Its just that it seems the doctor doesn't wan to hear what i have to say. Concentra is a urgent care fac. that works with workers compensation and all. Everyone says that they are a bunch of quacks that can't get a real hospital job. I will see tomorrow though. Thanks again

[namnam46]

Hi bobbycolb,

First let me welcome you to the Pain Management Forum. I need to be sure that you understand that there are NO Doctors on this Fourm.

I had a serious back problem YEARS ago and x-rays showed NOTHING was wrong.  HOWEVER, my Doctor kept fighting for me and sent me to a Neurologist that ordered an MRI and IT showed a Disc had ruptured straight out the back and therefore, it didn't show up on the x-rays.  I then had surgery to remove it and the pain disappeared.

The REASON that I told you that story is because you need to have MORE in depth tests run that will tell you EXACTLY what is going on with your back.

PLEASE keep us informed with what is going on with you.

I'll be looking for your update after you see your Doctor..........Sherry