Agonizing pain in the Thoracic area and nothing shows up on tests where this pain is. A tear in L 4/5 shows as does C 4/5 cushion between vertibra and spine is gone. but nothing on MRIS_CATS _EMG_BONE SCAN_and untold xrays. They won't do surgery until they find the source in the thoracic area, but has anyone else had a problem like this? 1 1/2 yrs, now going to 2nd pain management clinic-but the first one work comp sent me to - I came out with increased pain not less.

There can be "referred pain". For a complete explaination you might cut and paste into a seach engine.


They have nothing to go on to do any surgery. I was reading a site last night in regards to back surgery. It stated that in order for back surgery to be successful they need the right patient, the right diagnosis, and the patient has to work with them in the recovery. For instance, if there is pain from SI and they can see that the nerve is being compressed, they can go in and fix it. That will stop the nerve from being compressed and they can hope that they fixed the problem, but while they are in there, they may nick a nerve, bruise something, cause scar tissue, ect. And then, after surgery, they have to rely on the patient to do PT for the rest of their lives.

Since you are telling them that the pain is in another area than the tests show, they are puzzled. Be firm and ask about referred pain.

good luck :)

Dear 1short,

Absolutely pain can translocate. They call it referred pain.

My problems were from L4 to S1, and my pain was mostly near my sacroiliac joint (butt), and down the outside of my thigh and my calf.

As others have said, you need to see a spine specialist. I'd start with an Orthopeadic surgeon, get your MRI, and proceed from there.

Take it one step at a time, and don't let all the info here overwhelm you. People have the same treatments for different reasons, so you can't always go by what you read here. Your situation is as unique as you.

Good luck to you, and please keep us posted on your progress.
Take Care,
Julie