low back pain

[tina5511]

My MRI impression is as follows: Minimal concentric bulge at the L2-L3 level causing minimal narrowing of the spinal canal and there may be compromise of the left sided L2 nerve. Recommend clinical correlation. Can you please explain this to me and what is the best action.I get chiropratic treatment 3 x a week. I had low back pain which radiates down the left buttock and left groin. I'm trying to avoid surgery and do NOT want injections. Thanks, Tina

[8863]

Coming from someone that has been there--I mean really been there, I would never start with a surgeon. Sadly, I thought all Drs were out for our best interest, but my fiance' works for a surgical center.Surgeons are rated on how many surgeries they do in a year. Not to say there aren't very honest ones, or that surgery is necessary at times, just get opinion also from someone that isn't a surgeon. I had several injuries with L-4,5,S-1 crushed. First had laminectomy, discectomy by an honest orthpeadic surgeon that told me to put off disc fusion as long as possible as technology already can replace one level. Won't be long before they can do much more. The surgery above was not bad, back to work in a week. I was then in an accident a few years later and couldn't move so no choice but the fusion. My life has been  h...ever since. I teach so didn't want to spend the rest of my life doped up on pain meds and had a dorsal neuro-stimulator surgically implanted. It malfunctioned. Sooo.....another surgery to get it out. I'm in constant debilitating pain. I don't take narcotics for it, because of all the illegal activity, you soon get treated as one yourself. My Ortho's rule of thumb, if you can do what you need to without surgery-wait.
There are other options. The pain down your leg is nerve pain, most likely sciatica. You can have 3 steroid injections in one year. It does have greater success with nerve pain that with spinal column pain. I recently had a facet nerve block that I feel was a miracle. The catch is that it does wear off. This is just me, but I would never have a chiropractor messing around on my back with bulging disc etc. They have good ones, I know, but this is not their area of expertise.
Hope this helps
Michelle

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. You need to consult your neurosurgeon and balance the clinical symptoms and neurological compromise and discomfort that you are facing with the risks and prognosis of surgery. The other options for the relief of symptoms are NSAIDs, physiotherapy or chiropractor appointment which you are already having. epidural steroid injections can give temporary relief and surgery is the final option. Consider these in the light of your symptoms and take care.