Lower back pain

[Debilee]

I have had 2 back surgeries because my orthopedic Dr always claims that its not my hips, but the pain in my lower back, SI joints, hips & down my leg are hurting so bad. The only difference between now & before my other spine surgeries is that now the pain is also in my mid back.. I am going in for another MRI today & the thought of another spine surgery sickens me. How many can a person have to finally stop the problems?

[Debilee]

Thank you so much for the information you gave me. I did have a consult with him & I will be seeing my Neurosurgeon next Wed.  My Ortho Dr said that the MRI showed another synovial cyst  which is causing nerve root impingement, much degenerative disease & many bulging disks, & what worries me the most is all the stenosis. There is more, but can you tell me with that info if surgery is necessary?

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, it would be difficult to comment on the situation without knowing the cause of the symptoms or a detailed clinical evaluation. Possible causes of the symptoms include postural issues, joint inflammation/ degeneration, neuro-muscular causes such as muscle sprain, nerve impingement, injuries to muscles/ ligaments, inflammations, spinal causes such as degeneration, micronutrient deficiencies, referred pain from other regions etc. This could also be a spinal degeneration at multiple levels which management in such cases would depend on the type and severity of the condition. I would suggest discussing the situation, the management plan and the expected prognosis in detail with your treating orthopedician.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!