Tests For Back Problems

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builtgypsy

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I've been to a therapist, had X-rays and an MRI. I'm wondering what comes next, either from Ortho or Neurology? What kind of things did they have you do to determine what the issues were?
 
For me, it started with an x-ray. They then determined I had degenerative disc disease and spondylothesis. Next, the doctor ordered physical therapy for 2 months with no results. Then, I got the MRI which revieled the same things from the x-ray, and also 2 herniated discs. After another 4 months of physical therapy not really working, neuro surgery and pain management were my next steps. There is other options too. I haven't done it yet because my clinic doesn't have any appointments open and Tri-care doesn't cover it privately, but I've heard great things about accupuncture working pretty well. Also keep in mind, treatment depends on what your problems are. This was my course of action.
 
The methods of torture,...er, I mean treatment are numerous :)

Started with a basic exam, "Does this hurt when I doe THIS!", and then x-rays after my second 30 day profile/mortin routine. Finally had an MRI after five months that showed one screwed up spine. I have been through the physical therapy route, with zero effect, had one epidural injection initially and then 3 more in the last two months. They do different injections, the first 3 of mine were straight epidural and the last was transferminal,..the difference being the first went in to the disc and the last went directly in/around the nerve root itself. Also had a nerve conductivity study and EMG to isolate what and where is being impinged nerve wise. (EMG sucked BAD). Right now I have a facet nerve block injection scheduled, and if it identifies precisely enough which one is the worst of the bunch, they will try a disc decompression (doc said something to the effect of sucking apple jelly out of the disc to reduce its size and impingement potential.) After that, if I am so lucky to still be in this boat, I think it will be some sort of fixation or fusion surgery. I would expect more MRI's before that, maybe with contrast. They use IDETs, discograms, the list goes on, also. The net is a good place to get familiar with allot of the potential procedures, although I would take it all with a grain of salt- seems like every provider has their own "pet procedure", so you have to be wary and do your homework.

Sorry for babbling.....have a good one folks!
 
I haven't seen any babbling yet. ;)

Thank you both, I was looking for exactly this kind of thing. Sounds like I'm in for some fun times ahead.
 
I just completed my EMG (nerve test) today....and yes it is not much fun. Then spoke with the surgeon. He wants to have a Catscan done on my lumbar area and then try facet injections. If that doesn't work I am looking at fusion of S1-L5, L5-L4. I've had the epidurals, a ton of drugs and still can not move. How are the facet injections? I will see him again on Aug 5th and will update.
 
Not to discourage anyone, but my wife had facet problems from a back injury 8 years ago, she did pain management, injections (Painful for her) and they did no good, somethings are broke for good. She has fought the problems since, one doc thinks it is a muscle pulled from the bone and healed wrong, either way, she has been fighting it 8 years and it is just now getting better on its own. Good luck.

Stu
 
I went in for lower back pain, stiffness and sciatic pain down my left leg.

My PCM sent me in for xrays, and called me back in for more. I broke a facet joint which resulted in a grade 3 spondylolisthesis. I was referred to an off-base specialist for consultation and treatment. They did the injections, and nothing. After that, we went right for the surgery. I had a L4-L5-S1 posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Back has been great since then. No leg pain, but I am still a bit stiff. My range of motion test for my MEB package came back with an average of 20 degrees forward, 1 degree backwards and 30 degress twising and bending sidewards. I had surgery 24 OCT 08 and it was the best decision I could have made.

Good luck with your back!
 
Thanks for your input, that makes me feel much better about my L4, L5, S1 fusion. 20 degress is not far, I'm assuming your ROM is still not that good, but the pain is gone so it is worth it? From my understanding, I won't necessarily be sent to a meb after surgery as long as I"m good to go.....is this true?
 
Navcustom said:
Thanks for your input, that makes me feel much better about my L4, L5, S1 fusion. 20 degress is not far, I'm assuming your ROM is still not that good, but the pain is gone so it is worth it? From my understanding, I won't necessarily be sent to a meb after surgery as long as I"m good to go.....is this true?
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Don't worry about the 20 degrees ROM. It's not that big of a deal, and it will vary for everyone. But with the pain not being there anymore, it was well worth it. My ortho specialists said I will get better with time and I have, but I am still only 9 months post-op. So who knows how it will be when I'm a year and a half or two out.

As far as being referred to the MEB... It depends. I was initially diagnosed with spondylolisthesis 06 JUN 07 and put on a 4T waiver (non-worldwide qualified) I was going to face for a few reasons. The first being I would be on profile for a year and the other was I was on a MEB personnel hold so my PCS orders couldn't come down.

Hope this helps.
 
surfer495 said:
Tri-care doesn't cover it privately, but I've heard great things about accupuncture working pretty well.
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I know I'm a bit late to chime in on this one but I will anyway ... :)

Tried that while living in Japan ... immediate pain is minimal. Although the satisfaction for me was only a few days. And nerve block injections didn't work so well either. Both were WAY EASIER than that EMG crap!!
Recently I started something I understand to be rather new ... Prolo Therapy. Google it ... Of course Tri Care doesn't cover it. I found out through one of the local base clinic doc's that reviewed my case file before it was sent off to Lackland. He now has his own practice downtown and charges big $$ to inflict this pain. HURT ME BAD! But the pain ended as soon as the needle was pulled out ... and after 29 injections later he said "that'll do for the FIRST treatment". He wants me to sit through 5 of these treatments over the next couple months. It's now been 2 weeks since the 1st treatment and I actually feel better than I have in years. The injections only hurt so bad because contracted an infection (Osteomyolytis) after my 2nd back surgery and now have nerve damage that actually keeps me in a rather pissed off mood most of the time. :mad:

Spoke to 3 others that have this treatment from this doc and they said it wasn't too bad.
 
I spoke to a VA physician yesterday, who looked at my facet disease and bulging disc and said, "So what? You fit into 60% of the rest of the population, you fit into normal for your age group, etc." :mad:
 
Understandable! I am going through the VA C&Ps right now. I was told that I had the mobility of a 45 year old when dealing with my back ...which he said is just fine and dandy and normal. Normal? I am 28? If I have the mobility of a 45 year old due to herniated disks and sciatic nerve damage, how is that "normal?" or "fine and dandy?"

Some of these appointments I feel like the meps station all over again where we, the veterans, are just cattle being marched through systematically with a big red "VA APPROVED!" stamp slapped on our rumps.

Here is a big MOO out to all my comrades going through the same thing! :)
 
What I'm wondering is how this comes out to the rating. I imagine there's going to be appeals and NODs in my future.
 
I'm getting to the point that I can't stand this anymore. The constant having to prove that I'm in pain, or that my right leg is turned in. Sometimes I have gait issues, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I can move great but with constant pain, and sometimes I can't move and I'm still in pain. Now I have noticed in the last week or so that I am getting a "divot" kind of "dip" in my thigh, up at the top. I don't know if its atrophy or not, but its painful.
So here's what put me over the top...my brother paid $1000 and sent me to a neurosurgeon in Denver. He's been worried because I don't have any relief. The doctor called him tonight and told him that I'll be fine and I need to resume my "normal" activities. I can't walk a block with severe pain. I can't lift without pain. I can't even swim without pain. My feet turn purple and now I have the dent in the top of my thigh. My lucent hip lesion was 1.4cm and is now after 6months is 1.6-but that's not significant. Well, how many years before it is? I am a personal trainer, health and wellness specialist, athletic in nature, swimmer, Lifeguard Instructor, Swim Instructor and I was the Aquatic Director at the Air Force Academy. If I could go "resume my normal activity" I would be in a triathlon tomorrow! I'm so tired of this. I'm seeing an acupuncturist-and I think he's wonderful. I wouldn't be walking around the block if it wasn't for him. I pay out of my own pocket. And, I have faith in time I will heal-but does anyone know what my "dent" could be? Atrophy? Anyone with back issues every have anything like this? Sorry to go on. It's just one of those days...

Felicia aka Chinook
 
Chinook said:
does anyone know what my "dent" could be? Atrophy? Anyone with back issues every have anything like this?

Felicia aka Chinook
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I have PLENTY of nerve damage going on after my second back surgery and "occasionally" get a dent on the outside of my right thigh right about the mid point. Does yours come and go? or is it constant? The idiot neurosurgeon that tried to kill me said that it's muscle spasms causing the thigh to cave inward. I also get spasms so severe in my lower back that it make s my already crooked spine to be off even more. Picture this ... if you hang a plumb line from your nose and let it dangle, it should hang even w/ your genital center ... w/ severe back spasms that plumb line will sometimes be off to the right 4 - 6 inches ... and the physical therapist tries to imply that I walk funny on purpose. :confused:
 
Hi there therin4pres,

I don't wish this on anyone and I'm sorry you've hurt so bad.

This dent is new and so I don't know if its going to go away and then come back. I did go see my dr of acupuncture today. He said don't worry, its a knot, but it'll go away. Its caused from acid build up or something like that. He said I've had stagnation in my back and now its getting out. So, very interesting. I'll keep you posted. I have more faith in him than anyone I have seen to this point.

You know, Tricare sent me to a dr that had 2 suits against him-wonder if its the same guy that tried to kill you :rolleyes:? Oh, and don't get me started about physical therapists-they can help twisted ankles and sh#$# like that...but they don't know backs. I can't ride a bicycle or have that pedal mtion because it severly cramps up my thigh-but they don't know why---and the therapist wanted me to bike because my legs are weak. I told her to review her notes and that I'd be walking in the pool...:)

Interesting about the plumb line-did you leave a little blue mark on your nose after you tried;). I'm gonna try that.

Well, the good news today is that I just found out that my board should be wrapped up in 3-4weeks. Scarey, but good. I'm ready to fight if I have to. Were you boarded?

Thanks for posting...nice to share with someone. I'm in a much better mood today.

PS-I've contacted the governor of Colorado regarding military affairs and Tricare. I'm pushing to have alternative medicine covered. I'm going to be calling and emailing the medical commanders next. Do you think that Prolo therapy would be considered alternative medicine??? I still have to look it up.

Felicia
 
Interesting about the plumb line-did you leave a little blue mark on your nose after you tried;). I'm gonna try that.
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No. No blue line :D


Were you boarded?
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Yes ... just got my results back the other day. Rated 60%. Although I'm only at 19 yrs 9 mon. Therefore I will take it to the formal review board to kill a month or so.
#1. I need to go over 20
#2. I wouldn't mind bringing up the %tage on the back thing.

I was rated 50% for Apnea and 20% for my back for an overall 60%.
I was VERY surprised at the 20% rating! My wife told me that I need to find a differant job where I don't have to where any tie up boots/shoes because she's been the one to help me get my boots off for the last several years. Even helps me get dressed in the morning occasionally ... when I get up in the morning, I feel like I'm in my 90s and I ONLY turning 42 next week. :mad:

Do you think that Prolo therapy would be considered alternative medicine???
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Sure is ... insurances won't touch it. I've only had one treatment, but I already feel a small improvement.

My sons' Tea Kon Do Grand Master does acupuncture on the side ... he's in his late 60s and has been teaching Marshal Arts and practicing alternative medicines since he was in his early 20s he tells me. He wants to perform a few vacuum treatments on my back to get all the "bad blood" out before he attemts acupuncture. He's been nagging me for almost a year about it. I don't know ... maybe someday.

Have a great night!
 
Greetings tharin4prez,

Glad to hear that your Board results came back.

Question: 1)Are you still active?
2)What branch of service are you in?
3)They rated your back @ 20% and Sleep Apnea for 50% at the PEB?
4)Did you have any Surgeries?
 
truebrotha said:
Greetings tharin4prez,

Glad to hear that your Board results came back.

Question: 1)Are you still active?
2)What branch of service are you in?
3)They rated your back @ 20% and Sleep Apnea for 50% at the PEB?
4)Did you have any Surgeries?
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Let me answer these one by one ...
1)Are you still active? As a matter of fact, tomorrow will be my FIRST day as a civilian

2)What branch of service are you in? USAF

3)They rated your back @ 20% and Sleep Apnea for 50% at the PEB? Yes = and w/ their math formula that gave me 60% overall

4)Did you have any Surgeries? Several ... 2 on back w/ pins & screws, pins in hand, Roto Rooter up the snoz in hopes of bettering the airway for the Apnea. I really wouldn't reccomend this to anyone !!@@!!

Now just waiting on VA final findings
 
tharin4prez,

I take it (by reading your earlier post and doing a little math) that you were also able to get to the 20 year mark, right?

I hope so; either way, congratulations on your retirement! Any plans? Fishing, sailing, well deserved vacation?
 
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