Hi, I'm new to this so bear with me. I would like to have any input or suggestions on what I'm dealing with. I've been having back pain, with leg pain for quite some time approx. 3 1/2 years or so. I've been down the PT route, the prednisone route and also spinal injections and trigger point injections. My last MRI showed: done in October of 2009
IMPRESSION: 1. Stable appearance of central disc protrusion with annular tear at L5-S1 resulting in lateral recess encroachment and mild to moderate bilateral foraminal narrowing.
2. Small left foraminal disc protrusion at L3-L4.
I've had numbness in my right leg, which only comes and goes now, but I do have tremendous pain in both my upper thighs. I work in retail at a warehouse, so I am on concrete floors for 8 hrs a day, and up and down concrete stairs all day long too, which does not help me at all.
I've recently have had a bad flare up again, and went to see a chiropractor, after I gave my history to him, he basically said I need a new MRI ASAP, to rule out a disc rupture. I went to my doctors office and they will not order it. Instead they want me to do another course of prednisone, percocets and physical theraphy, and if no better in 14 days then they will order MRI.
I have had 4 steroid injections and a round of trigger point injections in just the last 6 months. Really...is anybody out there that can tell me what is wrong with this scenario?
I would suggest you make an appointment with a spine specialist and by-pass your regular doctor. In my opinion, you do not need any more steroids. They aren't helping your back condition and they just may be causing other parts of your body some problems. Many doctors will not order more than three epidural injections within a six month time period.
Obviously some people HAVE to take prednisone at high dosages for months at a time for other health issues, but it does come at a price. To keep prescribing them to someone like you, when you do not even have a diagnosis is foolish and harmful, in my layman's opinion.
You may find that you will have to change occupations. I can certainly sympathize with you. My problems began when I was a docent at our art museum, walking and standing on marble floors. Once I started developing sciatic pain, it went downhill from there. Seven years and three lumbar surgeries later, I can now walk again without sciatic pain...but I went to the museum yesterday, and after just one hour, my back started seizing up and I had sciatic pain for the first time in ages. So I just have to face the fact that working at the museum again in the near future is not in the picture...at least not if I want to avoid sciatic pain.
You do need a new MRI as it sounds like your 2009 issues have probably not improved. Pain in the thighs is a typical system of an L3 or L4 nerve problem. Are you familiar with a "dermatome map?" It is a handy little diagram that shows in general terms which spinal nerves innervate which area of the body. It is like short-hand to a doctor and helps him know where to begin looking for the problem..i.e., you complain of your big toe being numb, the doctor will know that chances are, you are having some L4 nerve compression.
Hi, I'm new to this so bear with me. I would like to have any input or suggestions on what I'm dealing with. I've been having back pain, with leg pain for quite some time approx. 3 1/2 years or so. I've been down the PT route, the prednisone route and also spinal injections and trigger point injections. My last MRI showed: done in October of 2009
IMPRESSION: 1. Stable appearance of central disc protrusion with annular tear at L5-S1 resulting in lateral recess encroachment and mild to moderate bilateral foraminal narrowing.
2. Small left foraminal disc protrusion at L3-L4.
I've had numbness in my right leg, which only comes and goes now, but I do have tremendous pain in both my upper thighs. I work in retail at a warehouse, so I am on concrete floors for 8 hrs a day, and up and down concrete stairs all day long too, which does not help me at all.
I've recently have had a bad flare up again, and went to see a chiropractor, after I gave my history to him, he basically said I need a new MRI ASAP, to rule out a disc rupture. I went to my doctors office and they will not order it. Instead they want me to do another course of prednisone, percocets and physical theraphy, and if no better in 14 days then they will order MRI.
I have had 4 steroid injections and a round of trigger point injections in just the last 6 months. Really...is anybody out there that can tell me what is wrong with this scenario?
Sounds like something I was dealing with prior to surgery. The problems would never go away and I too was doing PT and back injections along with some very strong pain medicine. Just had a procedure completed by at the VA Hospital in NYC on East 23rd street. As a 60 % disabled Veteran there were no costs for the hospital stay and sugery procedure. Procedure competed was a L-5 & S1 Lamenectomy & Spinal Fusion (2 rods & 4 screws) due to a herniated disk and PARS defect. It's only been 6 weeks since surgery and I've had no complications or problems. 2 NYU Residents completed the surgery during a 7 hr period and I was up and walking the next day with a walker. I was discharged on 9-Jan-2012 and have been recovering from home since. I've been amazed how well things have progressed and I"m now walking on a treadmill each day about 1.5 miles at a 2.5 mph pace with very little pain afterwards. This was an extreme surgery to have done for the first time but has made a very positive impact on my quality of life due to the absence of muscle cramps at night in both legs from the radiculopathy and sciatica. I'm only 47 and I look forward to getting back to work in two months. Based on my condition and the severity of the pain in my legs prior to surgery, I would definitely recommend this surgery to anyone but make sure you check the history of the number of cases and success rates of the hospital and physician conducting the surgery. Having several opinions is highly recommended. My final decision to move forward was the constant thobing in both legs during prolonged standing or walking and the lack of sleep at night. 3 months of PT and lumbar back injections prior to surgery did not help the condition which was another deciding factor of finally having surgery. Wishing everyone health and happiness. r/ Joe B.
Your last MRI was some time ago. October 2009 was a while ago now, and it is recommended you obain a repeat MRI.
You are probably aware that the numbness and leg problems you are experiencing are indicative of impingement, which is reflective of a significant back problem.
Here is what you need to do;
1. See your regular doctor. You need to tell him or her about your current symptoms, as well as make them aware of what your job involves. The doctor should give you a certificate for modification or restriction of your work duties (for a set period of time) or a reduction in your daily hours, or both.
Being on your feet on a concrete floor for extended periods is certainly not recommended when one has the symptoms you have.
2. If the doctor will not order a repeat MRI, visit another doctor and get a second opinion. All doctors are not the same. One of the worst problems a patient can make is to continue seeing the same doctor when they are unhapy with the treatment provided.
3. Ask the doctor (either your original or the one you obtain a second opinion from) for a referral to an experienced orthopedic surgeon. Travel to see someone reputable if necessary. Talk to them about your issues. They are experts, and the best suited to assist you.
4. I do not recommend undergoing any physical manipulation (eg; chiropractic treatment) unless under the direction of an experience and well regarded spinal surgeon.
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Posts: 701
Re: Long time back issues, and fed up
I am shocked that the doctor did not agree that an updated MRI was necessary, particularly since your condition has either persisted or worsened.
Good that the chiropractor did not perform any adjustments without updated imaging. It can be quite troubling to have adjustments or manipulations with a disc problem. Be aware that there are two different schools of chiropractors, with many subvariations. I went to one chiropractor who did no manipulations and only stimulated the nervous system through percussive methods. I would think that this type of treatment would be safer for a damaged disc, but of course, get the imaging and follow-up with a spinal specialist before seeking chiropractic treatment.
I don't see any problem with starting PT, which will be helpful for you whatever the plan of treatment. However, if any exercise hurts, stop immediately. I would push back on additional injections, as most doctors limit injections to three per year. With your having had four injections already, it is unlikely any more will help and possible that additional injections could cause damage to your ligaments.
I feel for you if you are in an HMO, but just keep pestering your primary care and asking for referrals to a specialist, if you need to do so.
I was in pain for two yrs after an accident at work. I saw a Dr during that time who did epidurals and took X-rays and he never could find anything wrong. People kept telling me to go to a chiropractor but I was skeptical. The Dr finally sent me to an excellent orthopedist. After talking with him a few minutes he said he knew what was wrong but he had to get an MRI. The guy who did the MRI showed me afterward and then asked me where my crutches or wheelchair we're, I had neither. He couldn't believe I was walking.
When I returned to the Dr with the MRI films I saw the PA who after looking at them also was shocked that I was walking. My disc at L5S1 was desiccated and bulging right into my spinal cord. The Dr said if I had gone to a chiropractor I might have been crippled. If the disk slipped any more it could have cut the spinal cord. His next surgery was three months away and the waiting list for cancellations was several people long. I was sent home and told not to walk except when I absolutely had to. I wasnt supposed to lay flat either. I got a call from his office two days later and told they had an opening in two weeks and he moved me ahead of everyone else on the waiting list.
My point is, even if your Dr says everything looks fine he won't know for sure till he gets an MRI so be careful. My symptoms were pretty much identical to what you describe. My muscle spasms were so bad I would wake up in sudden pain and be sitting up. I couldn't have done a setup for a million bucks. My twelve year old daughter had to come roll me out of bed every morning if my wife was at work. I'm now eight yrs out of surgery and have developed chronic pain but I am much better than before the surgery and at least I can walk. Good luck
As others have said, keep pushing the doc and get referrals to specialists. I have been dealing with back pain for over 6 years, and am finally getting some answers, solutions and relief to my pain. It was a switch in my primary care doctor after moving to a different town that got me the good answers. She sent me to a pain management doc who looked over all of my records and imaging, and actually found the solution to one of the sources of my pain. We are now looking at my right si joint, as that has flared back up with a vengeance!
I'm not surprised your getting the run-around with your Doctor. I think its time for a new one. I also was given the run around even after PT made it worse. Anyway, from experience with dealing with crappy Doctors, I must say that you MUST stress how disabling the condition is. Do not let their ignorance make your condition worse because you only have one back! If they dont want to help, go to an orthopedic surgeon who will. Trust me, you dont want to cause permanent damage.
I too work in retail 8 hour days on concrete and I cannot stress enough the importance of a good pair of shoes. This slight adjustment may help but overall never be cheap with shoes when you work on your feet for 8 hrs a day! Especially concrete floors they really do damage to your knees and back.
I'm young so no one took me seriously for almost 2 years. It took my own persistence to 'fix' the problem (hopefully fixed). Anyway, my advice for you is contact your insurance, see if you need a DR referral to see a specialist, if not get a list of specialist covered and do a little research online. Does the office they work at have a website? What are other people saying, etc. Make sure you see a back specialist and stress the state of despair your in. Tell them how long its been and what steps you've taken to improve it (pt, shots, etc.) stress the ineffectiveness of such practices on your back. Remember you hired THEM, you can FIRE them if they arent doing their job.
In the end its your body, your health, and YOUR back- dont let doctor's negligent worsen your condition!
I am 36, and have been dealing with this issue since oct 2010,The problem is the system and the way they do things in order, it took them 5 weeks to do surgery, discectomy after mri showing l5-s1 herniated disc of 11mm...Even though I have foot drop and all muscle loss and numbness in lower left leg...10 months later did another mri finally and still show a herniation at same level of 3.5mm...so here we go again, made me try pt, massage, ems, narcotics, emg, hit platue in pt and say can not justify any further visits at this time...Had 2 transforamal injections and medial branch block in last 3 months, now looking at doing a discogram but first have to ween off all meds and do a pre physch evaulation...Now just waiting for what the next step is...So what I am saying is that they go through many motions in order to get a resolution and don't realize the pain that we endure and try to live with it...I hope the best for you and a speedy decision...good luck and if you would like to stay in contact please do...
Long time back issues, and fed up 
Re: Long time back issues, and fed up 
