Hi there,
I'm a 28 yr old male, weighing 87.5Kg. I've been experiencing quite sever lower back pain, often accompanied by tight hamstrings, for about a year now. Stretching doesn't seem to help much.
It's worst in the mornings, when sometimes I find it difficult getting out of bed. At first I blamed a new 'expensive' mattress I bought with memory foam (it was very soft) but in the last few months I've bought quite a hard (and again, not cheap!) one and haven't seen much of an improvement. The best nights sleep I get is when I've been out for a few drinks etc.
I first got an X-ray which showed normal spacing etc in the spine - the Doc said all was normal. I then went to an Osteopath who refused to treat it until I had an MRI and blood tests.
MRI LUMBAR SPINE:
Technique - T1 & T2 sequences were performed in sagittal sections and T2 in axial sections.
Findings - Normal Vertebral alignment. Normal signal noted in the intervertebral discs of lumbar spine. No focal disc prolapse. No canal stenosis. No bony vertebral fracture or destruction seen. Normal appearance of the conus of the cord. Normal appearance of nerve roots and exit foramina.
BLOODS:
U+Es (N), LFTs (N), Ferritin (226), WCC (6.5), Hb (14.9), p/ts (218), ESR (3), RF (<13), CRP (<4), ANA (Negative)
Now, I've been referred by Doc to see a Rhumatologist Consultant....'one yr history of back pain and morning stiffness. Sometimes takes anti-inflamatories to ease pain and symptoms seem to settle as day progresses. No history of trauma or fever and no weight loss. Some radiation of pain to both thighs but no leg weakness, bowel or bladder dysfunction. Normally in good health and doesn't use any other meds. No significant family history.
Examination revealed some tenderness over the lumber spine and right sacro-iliac joint with stiffness on flexing forward, SLR 60degrees bilaterally and normal power in both legs. MRI scan did not image SI joints. I am concerned at the chronicity of his symptoms despite normal bloods.'
Adding to this, I've started to notice some mild 'numbness' around the scrotal area although it's not effecting normal functionality!
I've yet to back to the Osteopath or Rhumatologist Consultant.
Any advice/thoughts would be appreciated!