Lower Back Pain

[kamel]

Hi,

I have suffered from moderate lower back pain for the last 6 months. It goes and comes, but is most noticeable while and after weight training. I had a CT scan 1 month ago. The conclusion of the scan states, “the patient has some facet joint hypertrophy at L5/L1 level, with a shallow annulus bulge and bilateral exit foraminal narrowing. No significant spinal stenosis is however defined at any level.” What the hell???

My doctor tried explaining what all that medical jargon meant…with no success.

So if anyone out there can explain it…please be my guest. Also, does that mean I have to stop training because I could possibly be making my injury worse.

I would also like to hear from anyone that has had a similar diagnosis and how long it took him/her to overcome the pain???

Thank you

[sydunisportsmed]

If you think this is jargon, try suing someone regarding your back pain and see what a lawyer comes up with.

...Or attend an AFL tribunal session and try to work out how a punch that causes someone to be laid out on the ground for 3 minutes is determined as 'low' impact.

[kamel]

Their must be someone out their that knows what the conclusion of my scan means and whether my condition would be worse of if i continue weight training. As the back is almost always being used in practically every exercise. So if anyone could help, please do. Desperately waiting for a reply. :(

Thankyou

[SPK]

I can't help you with the scan results, but can I suggest you go see a Chiropractor? They might be able to translate the results as well as treat you.

[Unregistered]

Their must be someone out their that knows what the conclusion of my scan means and whether my condition would be worse of if i continue weight training. As the back is almost always being used in practically every exercise. So if anyone could help, please do. Desperately waiting for a reply. :(

Thankyou
i have cronic lower back pain through a work injury my scans contained similar comments except i had more comments on my scans. if your back hurts after exercise you will only keep hurting it, go see a physio and they will help you modify some of the exercises that strain your back. good luck and take care of your back........skeggs@kooee.com.au

[Mike Davis]

The results are saying that you have some narrowing of the joint/ disc between the L5 and S1 vertebrae. And a small ring like bulge of the disc between the vertebrae and a small a small hole in the bone. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal, which causes compression of the nerve roots. Injury can occur to the legs or feet due to lack of sensation; infections may progress because pain related to them may not be felt. Changes caused by nerve compression may be permanent, even if the pressure is relieved.

[expatient..]

“the patient has some facet joint hypertrophy at L5/L1 level, with a shallow annulus bulge and bilateral exit foraminal narrowing. No significant spinal stenosis is however defined at any level.” What the hell???
That means you have twisted pelvis ie. SIJD.

Here some syptoms. You might not have them all yet..

Symptoms of pelvic misalignment (SIJD) include:
Bad Posture
Short leg
Uneven shoulders
Mild, moderate and severe lower back pain
Mild, moderate and severe upper back pain
Low back pain when sitting
Unconfortable to stand long times
Tingling or pain down one or both legs (sciatica)
Stiffness or pain in the neck
Painful knees, ankles, achilles
Tight hamstrings
Tight PSOASs
Tight piriformis
"Wear and tear" of the inter-vertebral discs
Hypermobile facet joints
Herniated inter-vertebral discs
Persistent Headaches
Frozen Shoulder
"Pulled Back Muscles"
Lumbago
Piriformis Syndrome
Spinal Stenosis

[Un registered]

Back Pain. Hmmmm. I had brief back pain when falling down some stairs. It hurt for only 3 days more and then it stopped. I am over it now. I think that back pain recovery is radom. I mean, you haven't recovered after 6 months and it took me less than a few days to heal. I reccomend pleanty of rest and keep an ice-pack on it regulary.

[expatient..]

SIJD symptoms usually come years after the trauma that cased SIJD. It can take 10-15 years until you get back pain and others. They will come, but it takes time...

[L4/L5]

After reading many threads in here it has become obvious to me that "expatient" is very strongly promoting chiropractic care, in the guise of "twisted pelvis syndrome".

Anybody with real back problems will know this is utter rubbish.
I will go as far to say that the entire chiropractic "industry" is also rubbish. I'm sure they mean well & try hard. But they just wont fix real problems.

My knowledge is based upon the fact that i have 3 herniated discs(revealed by MRI) L3/L4- L4/L5-L5/S1
with L4/L5 being the worst of the 3 & down to around 30% compression(discography results) as of 15 years ago, with severe bulging into the spinal canal. What caused my condition is unknown. Atheltics(hurdles)League, motorbikes, horses, jets ski wave jumping in the 80's, surfing, long distance running, physical work, desktop work, posture. I really havent been kind to my back. Ever.
Anyway, RNS & the head back honcho there wanted to fuse me 15 years ago. 1 more visit to another specialist, who told me to hang in there, stay fit, be smart & manage the pain & wait for better technologies.( ie.disc replacement technology & stem cell research) swayed me away from fusion . He quoted alarming figures of failure rates.
Anywayz, i have looked at every possible treatment over 15 years to assist in conservative managment. it has been quite an exact science over the last 10 years , having appprox 4 minor "episodes" a year & maybe 1 or 2 bigger episodes a year. Minor meaning discomfort for a week but still mobile. Major being out of action for 2-3 days horizontal with a week of discomfort following.
During episodes, I have visited chiropractors & the amount of rubbish & utter bull*&^% these people talk is astounding. Twisted this, twisted that, too long this, too long that, slipped this , slipped that. Fair dinkum! To quote the great Pen & Teller, "BULLSHYTE!!!!!"

Right now, i am having the wort episode of my life(hence my presence & knowledge quest) & it is time to go in & see what has changed in 15 years on the inside. Im not too confident although i am getting more mobility daily. With a bit of luck, next week I maybe back to running surfing wake boarding snow skiing & even working, & I wont need to do anything intrusive.

My advice to sufferers. Get pictures & get answers. Then get lots of advice from surgeons/osteos. Stay away from chiro & lesser extent physios(i advise using physios with 1 on 1 intensive treatment programs, not clinic type operations where they pump the numbers through) . Remember that pain is relative & subjective (ie my pain is 50% of what it was 3 days ago, but %100 worse than a normal epsiode. I will be able to deal with my normal pain levels much better now, if i can return to those levels.
At those levels, i have lived a completely(99%) normal life .
Will let you all know what happens for those interested.

[angieliu]

After reading many threads in here it has become obvious to me that "expatient" is very strongly promoting chiropractic care, in the guise of "twisted pelvis syndrome".

Anybody with real back problems will know this is utter rubbish.
I will go as far to say that the entire chiropractic "industry" is also rubbish. I'm sure they mean well & try hard. But they just wont fix real problems.

My knowledge is based upon the fact that i have 3 herniated discs(revealed by MRI) L3/L4- L4/L5-L5/S1
with L4/L5 being the worst of the 3 & down to around 30% compression(discography results) as of 15 years ago, with severe bulging into the spinal canal. What caused my condition is unknown. Atheltics(hurdles)League, motorbikes, horses, jets ski wave jumping in the 80's, surfing, long distance running, physical work, desktop work, posture. I really havent been kind to my back. Ever.
Anyway, RNS & the head back honcho there wanted to fuse me 15 years ago. 1 more visit to another specialist, who told me to hang in there, stay fit, be smart & manage the pain & wait for better technologies.( ie.disc replacement technology & stem cell research) swayed me away from fusion . He quoted alarming figures of failure rates.
Anywayz, i have looked at every possible treatment over 15 years to assist in conservative managment. it has been quite an exact science over the last 10 years , having appprox 4 minor "episodes" a year & maybe 1 or 2 bigger episodes a year. Minor meaning discomfort for a week but still mobile. Major being out of action for 2-3 days horizontal with a week of discomfort following.
During episodes, I have visited chiropractors & the amount of rubbish & utter bull*&^% these people talk is astounding. Twisted this, twisted that, too long this, too long that, slipped this , slipped that. Fair dinkum! To quote the great Pen & Teller, "BULLSHYTE!!!!!"

Right now, i am having the wort episode of my life(hence my presence & knowledge quest) & it is time to go in & see what has changed in 15 years on the inside. Im not too confident although i am getting more mobility daily. With a bit of luck, next week I maybe back to running surfing wake boarding snow skiing & even working, & I wont need to do anything intrusive.

My advice to sufferers. Get pictures & get answers. Then get lots of advice from surgeons/osteos. Stay away from chiro & lesser extent physios(i advise using physios with 1 on 1 intensive treatment programs, not clinic type operations where they pump the numbers through) . Remember that pain is relative & subjective (ie my pain is 50% of what it was 3 days ago, but %100 worse than a normal epsiode. I will be able to deal with my normal pain levels much better now, if i can return to those levels.
At those levels, i have lived a completely(99%) normal life .
Will let you all know what happens for those interested.


I have to tend to agree with L4/L5 in that I would go and find a good surgeon/ sports doctor or better an osteopath who can help you with how to manage the pain. I think that chiropractics is a very in between health profession and that it is hard to know who is good and who isn't. I have had bad experiences with chiropractors and they have tried to suck out every penny out of me where they would see me for 5 minutes charge me an arm and leg and then had it worked out to the day for the next 12 months how many sessions I would have to go and see the chiro.

[expatient]

After reading many threads in here it has become obvious to me that "expatient" is very strongly promoting chiropractic care, in the guise of "twisted pelvis syndrome".
Sorry I don't. I haven't found yet a chiro who could really help. Many of them tell they know SIJ lock but they don't... And most of them are totally lost in taking care of the patients and correcting twisted pelvis. They just take your money.

[angieliu]

Have you considered going to see an osteo or physio?

[mcculloughfloss]

Definately, dont listen to chiro's. they make things worse, if anything. I have a "focal disc extrusion" (dont ask me what it is, coz i have no idea) but all i know is, I get really bad lower back pain from doing weights mainly, but i could also just wake up and have it. I have tried every "professional" under the sun and no-one can explain it to me. the thing about rest and ice is bullcrap too and same with exercises. you need answers, not someone poking and prodding your back. got to an orthopedic surgeon who can get an MRI, if you have had one they will explain it to you and tell you how to treat it. is there anyone who can tell me what a focal disc extrusion is?? i have had it for about 3-4 years and is very frustrating being in constant pain!!!!!

[expatient]

is there anyone who can tell me what a focal disc extrusion is?? i have had it for about 3-4 years and is very frustrating being in constant pain!!!!!
Google will tell..

[Ian L]

Hi angieliu,
Your history sounds a lot like mine, except I know what caused my problem. Silly lifting thing 18 years ago. (L5-S1) I'm with you. I fail to see how manipulating, pushing, pulling etc is going to change the fact that the structure responsible for maintaining clearances etc is not functioning. It seems purely a mechanical situation to me. After having periodic scans over the years, as my condition has worsened, I have finally seen an ortho to properly investigate the situation. Having MRI on Thur 29th Nov. Have taken up cycling recently(Needed some C-V workout without the impact) and found the short term pain and stiffness has been worth it. Generally feeling a little more strength and stability. Am also ditching the anti-iminflamatories for a while (Only take 1x50mg per week) to get a better gauge of the situation. Would be interested in hearing from you to see how you're going.
Cheers,
Ian.