Nerve Damage S1/L5

[theBadCormorant]

Originally Posted by housemd89

Totally agree, it doesn't help when you have different doctors telling you different things. They seem all too happy to just throw painkillers at you.

What's wrong with your back?

Nothing that major in comparison to some on here. Long story so I will try and condense it down to a brief outline.

Early 40s, was first signs of problems, really minor stuff, bit stiff from time to time etc.

46, developed problem with hip that was causing problems with my hillwalking/climbing. Seen loads of DRs/physios, every diagnosis was different.

47, After a sneezing fit developed massive hip pain, never had pain like it, so bad I got the doctor to do a home visit, he phoned ambulance, xrays at hospital showed nothing, had to wait a few days for an MRI that showed slipped disc at L4-L5 squashing the L4 nerve. Things continued to get worse for a couple of weeks, lots of pain, lots of numbness but it was the motor loss and atrophy that prompted surgery. Went in for surgery, pre op examination surgeon noted murmur in patella reflex that had been absent a week earlier. Decided not to operate on the grounds that I may self heal, and self healing would be a millions times better than anything surgery could do.
Another 3 months before pain free, but as long as 2 years to loose numbness and regain a good level of fitness.
Lots of cycling, lots of pilates.
Never got back to my hill walking but could easily cycle 50 - 100 mile in a day.

52 (15 months ago) started to be bothered with buttock pain in other leg, almost certainly due to S1 nerve contact by bulging disc at the lumber sacral (LS) junction (this had showed up on MRI 5 years ago but was not causing any problems then) Another MRI was done and showed no change in the bulging disc at LS but improvements in the disc at L4 L5 So plenty of reasons why left leg was better, but no explanation as to worsening situation with right leg

Next 12 months were awful, problems sitting and walking, lots of mild pain, even cycling more than 5 miles was becoming a major day out. In a straight leg test could not lift right leg more than 5 degrees.

June this year, woke up one morning with massive pain, numb heel and little toe, awful calf pain. Dr says it's a classic LS herniation. 6 weeks of utter hell, but now pain free for the first time in 15 months, numbness mostly gone, still very scared and spend a good part of the day lying down (hence my internet activity) I have started up with my pilates and doing a fair bit of cycling (done a 40 miler last week) In a straight leg test can achieve > 45° and limited by hamstring rather than nerve pain.

[housemd89]

Sounds terrible comorant. Good you are pain free now though and hopefully it stays that way.
Seen the chiropractor today for my consultation and to go back in tomorrow for him to explain his findings. What he did tell me was I have a twisted pelvis which has made my shoulder misaligned and I have one leg shorter than the other.

[theBadCormorant]

This is usually a symptom and not a cause - A problem in or around the spine causes muscles to go into spasm, these muscles shorten and pull the pelvis out of alignment which in turn makes one leg appear a little shorter than the other.

Of course, whilst you have this misalignment the spine is compelled to work and move in an unusual way that can either exasperate your original problem or cause new problems.

The term "Vicious Circle" comes to mind.

I guess the Chiropracticer will straighten you up, and whilst you are in better alignment the body will have more chance to heal, or at least that is the theory.

Before you go you could lie face down on the bed with your feet just protruding over the edge, get your wife to photograph or measure any disparity in your heals (could be half an inch); Repeat after your visit and if there is a notable change you could repeat daily to see how long you stay in better alignment. I used to do this before and after a deep muscle massage, but I would pop back out of alignment in under 12 hours.

EDIT:
One last comment - I also found an hours slow ride on the bike (as in cycling) was as likely to put me into the correct alignment as a deep massage or a bone clicker.

[housemd89]

Originally Posted by theBadCormorant

This is usually a symptom and not a cause
EDIT:
One last comment - I also found an hours slow ride on the bike (as in cycling) was as likely to put me into the correct alignment as a deep massage or a bone clicker.

Thanks for the tip, will be sure to do that. Had my first adjustment today and don't really feel any different.. not expecting it to work straight away right enough.

[housemd89]

Hi, i was wondering if anyone here could have a look at my mri? I got a private scan done, the man gave me the disc and it has about 45 images on it. The program is syngo fast view. Not sure the best way to do it, maybe just upload a few of the most clear images on here?

[housemd89]

mmglobal was nice enough to say he'll look at my MRI, going to send him the disc, thanks again.

I'll upload a few pics just now (the most clear ones i seen)

[housemd89]

Can anyone give me an opinion on the scan?