spondy question

[Guest guest]

I'd appreciate any advice on this case; specifically,

have you had any luck stabilizing a spondy;

could the sciatic-like pain be due to scar tissue in the gluts and pelvic

ligaments rather than direct nerve root impingement;

and who killed Kennedy (just thought I'd ask)

I have a pt. (40 y/o, female, 6', athletic) who had fusion surgery in

Zimbabwe 30 years ago.

She has a grade 2 spondy and due to recent episodes of pain, had an MRI last

week.

The report said a 6-view myelogram sequence was included. They did not

inject dye in the area so apparently you don't need dye for a myelogram

anymore. Where have I been?

Lots of conclusions including:

grade 2 spondy of L5 WRT S1 resulting in signif. biforaminal stenosis with

" suggestion of anatomic impingement on the transiting L5 nerve roots " ...

I attended a Yochum seminar years ago where he disputed the presence of a

spondy concluding functional nerve root impingement.

I suppose you want her exam findings. Just a minute. Through the magic of

the internet I will pretend this only takes seconds and I'll compile all her

signs and symptoms...

a states:

I had a graft and fusion in 1975 in Zimbabwe. ( age 13 )

I was not injected with dye with this MRI.

Ever since I was 12 I have not been with out sciatica down my left leg,

with pain in the butt running down back of the thigh, through my leg

and out my toes. This is usually pretty constant and is very much

aggravated by prolonged sitting, and in a soft chair almost immediate

discomfort. This Level of pain has always in a scale of one to ten

been a 3. If I do ANYTHING beyond everyday house keeping or child

rearing, as in moving boxes, construction etc I have significantly more

pain and discomfort directly in the Lower lumbar area branching out

into my hips in back, and deep stomach muscles in front., the sciatica

will increase considerably down my left leg. I am most aware of back

pain and sciatica at night and have pretty consistently been taking a

couple Advil to get through the night. Usually getting up at 1.00 am

or so to be able to get some restful sleep.

As of last year, all the above symptoms have increased, in the summer I

was completely immobile for 6 days after doing some pretty heavy yard

work ( pain level of 10) , but as of late the day to day back pain has

escalated ( at a 5 ) and is remaining constant increasing

significantly after some walking, the sciatica is more sharp, and even

branches into the right side but just to the thigh level. Sometimes I

feel as though there is a catch in my LL area and I will experience a

quick very painful jab. This escalation has been the cause for me to

have my back checked after all these years, the pain is very similar to

what I experienced when I was 12.

Thanks colleagues for your ideas.

E. Abrahamson, D.C.

Chiropractic physician

Lake Oswego Chiropractic Clinic

Please note " New address " 315 Second Street

Lake Oswego, OR 97034

503-635-6246

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