Help for back pain

[Screamin]

I have 2 tears in lumbar 3 and 4 , I have been in 2 car accients(rear-endes twice) last year. I have been off work almost a year.I'm on Norco and advinsa. WI'm under Doctors care.What kind of treatment or treatments would be good for me. I have lower lumbar back pain-when I walk a few blocks my right leg hurts bad and my right foot get numb and tingle effect

[Tuckamore]

Welcome to MedHelp, I am glad you found us. And I am very sorry you are hurting. We all know what pain is here. I'm sure you do also.

What treatment is best for you appears to be your question. It is very difficult to respond correctly without all the information. I imagine you have had an MRI as you know you have tears in your discs. And Sandee is correct that there are many treatments available. Although even some of the most stubborn tears usually heal within 18 months occasionally the tear may be so severe it may not heal on its own at all and will require surgery. The discs are like shock absorbers between the bones of the spine and are designed to help the back stay flexible while resisting terrific forces in many different planes of motion. Each disc has two parts:

A firm, tough outer layer (annulus fibrosus). The outer portion of this layer contains nerves. If the disc tears in this area, it can become quite painful.
A soft, jelly-like core (nucleus puposus). This part of the disc contains proteins that can cause the tissues they touch to become swollen and tender. If these proteins leak out to the nerves of the outer layer of disc they can cause a great deal of pain.

Unlike other tissues of the body, there is very little blood supply to the disc. Once a disc is injured, it cannot completely repair itself, and a spiral of degeneration begins.  Treatments depend on the exact area of the tear and the severity. So your question is not a easy one, though it is a very good one.

It is obvious to me that you need to have a honest and open lengthy discussion with the specialist you are seeing. You need to ask him/her what your options are and what the future will hold. It could be possible they are waiting to see if the tear will heal on its own. If they are unable or unwilling to respond to your questions in a way that you are comfortable with than I would seek another or a second opinion. We only have one back and it has to last us for the years we spend on this earth. It is important that you approach all treatment s with that in mind.

I wish you the best of luck. Please take care and let us know how you are doing. Tuck

[sandee1818]

I agree you do need the proper test in order to find out what options are available to you.
There are injections and bio feed back and physical therapy and also speaking with a pain psychologist would not hurt.
There are many treatments available you just have to find out what is right for you.

[PromisedLand]

Are you under a doctor's care..is that what you are saying..that is not entirely clear...sounds to mme like and MRI is in order and the very least physical thereapy along with the meds.  It almost sounds to me like some disk related problem or some degeneration (which is what I have and I have similar effects as you)..

My guess is (and I apologize in advance for my sarcasm, cyniccism (sp?), etc)..but I wouldn't be surprised if the doctor/doctors get you on a "merry go 'round" so to speak where you see doctor after doctor and no one will make a decision as to what to about it but somebody will pipe up and say "we can't give him any more narcotics" and cut you off and send you to a pain clinic where you have to wait 4-6 weeks to be seen.

Again my apologies..but this is my growing attitude towards the medical field these days as I observe what is taking place with my wife.


PLEASE TAKE MY FIRST 2 SENTENCES SERIOUSLY AS I THINK THAT IS WHAT SHOULD BE DONE AT THE VERY LEAST.


Jim