A broken backbone???

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  • leehljp
    The Full Monte
    • Dec 2002
    • 8686
    • Tunica, MS
    • BT3000/3100

    #1

    A broken backbone???

    Went to an orthopedic today for a knee problem but complained about my back too. The orthopedic looked at the x-rays of both knees and my back before seeing me for the first time. His conclusion as he told me:
    Right knee - looks like a 50 year old;
    Left knee - looks like an 80 year old;
    Lower back - Looks like a 100 year old - seriously.

    Then he took me to his office and showed me the picts. I can't read x-rays but both LOML and I could see the problems with my back. He said I probably injured it 20 years ago and pointed out what looked to him to be a broken bone. Got spurs growing around it, inflamation from osteoarthritis - severe, I could see it as he pointed it out. The back bones were not curved like you normally see, two were jammed together and an angle to each other. He said it has been that way for a while.

    At least I know now that I am not imagining it.

    20 years ago in Japan, I lifted a heavy table and carried it up a flight of outside steps about 12 feet up. (Our house was on a hill). I heard and felt something pop. I went to a hospital in Kobe that specializes in back injuries. Because I did not have tingling going down my leg, the doctor dismissed it. Later in Tokyo at Tokyo Medical, an English speaking doctor said the same. Then back in the States my wife's favorite doctor said basically the same. One other doctor said similar at a later physical checkup. I chalked it up to just chronic back pain as all 4 doctors said, and lived with it. None did x-rays or MRIs.

    I did have an MRI on the back about a year ago but it was because of a right foot problem that the neurologist traced back to a problem in the lower back. Still no tingling feeling, just pain. The neurologist diagnosed it as moderately degenerative disks and gave me some drugs - that I stayed away from as much as possible. They made my brain feel like I was on drugs more than helping the pain in the back and foot!


    Two months ago while helping work on the soffet of a church being built, I contorted on a ladder to hold a piece up and fell from about 3 ft off the ground. Both knees twisted some and my back jolted. After taking enough Ibuprophen over 6 weeks to open a pharmacy, I went to my local doctor last week and examined my knees and said that they needed to be examined by an orthopedic, as my left knee was way too loose in the joint. Then the doctor said "Why are you standing funny, kinda leaning?" I told him I jolted my back also. He said to have that checked also. (BTW - this doctor gave me a prescription for tramadol and pregnazone (sp?). Those affect the brain more than the injury. I hated them. Just took one of each as prescribed and went back to Ibuprofen.)

    My orthopedic said that I am a tad too young (67) for a knee replacement and recommended to wait as long as I could for that. He did offer me 4 injections, one every week for 4 weeks for the knee. But for my back, he is sending me to a back specialist for some kind of epidural shot.


    Thanks for letting me rant.
    It burns me up that I went to doctors 4 times and none would bother to x-ray because I didn't have "typical" symptoms - i.e. tingling nerves. One went so far as to say "you are just aging, If I could cure you, I could cure myself."
    Last edited by leehljp; 12-08-2014, 03:28 PM.
    Hank Lee

    Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!
  • Hellrazor
    Veteran Member
    • Dec 2003
    • 2091
    • Abyss, PA
    • Ridgid R4512

    #2
    Prednisone? It is a steroid for arthritis. It is not something they use for long term treatment.

    Its **** getting old. Before I hit 40 I could do all kinds of stupid crap and not feel it. The last 3 years reminded me I am on the other side of the curve.

    Comment

    • TB Roye
      Veteran Member
      • Jan 2004
      • 2969
      • Sacramento, CA, USA.
      • BT3100

      #3
      Welcome to the club. I am wait for an MRI on my lower back also had one on my head last week, nothing there, I ma having problem walking and fell for no reason. I have arthritis in my lower back with Stenosis and it may have gotten worse. I lost almost 50 pounds since April and I am walking up to 4 miles a day but I walk like I am drunk wandering all over the sidewalk or path. Even when ushering at church I have be careful when taking the offering plate up to the alter or ushering for Communion. But I am one the younger one in our congregation at 72. 6 years ago I had an MRI on my back and the found the Arthritis and my doctor oh by way you have a Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm we are going to have watch it. They did four years later they repaired it and fixed the arteries in my legs at the same time and most of my PAD cleared up and no more pain now this. I know how my back got messed up but when your young your invincible right? My Doctor mentioned surgery and I said don't think so I will use a cane if necessary.

      Tom

      Comment

      • leehljp
        The Full Monte
        • Dec 2002
        • 8686
        • Tunica, MS
        • BT3000/3100

        #4
        Originally posted by TB Roye
        Welcome to the club. . . . but I walk like I am drunk wandering all over the sidewalk or path.
        I have this fear of getting stopped by a law officer who has had a bad day, and then being asked to walk a straight line! I walk like that too. I cannot stand straight nor walk straight. Been like that for a while. I kinda mask it by acting like I am just meandering on purpose!

        I know how my back got messed up but when your young your invincible right? My Doctor mentioned surgery and I said don't think so I will use a cane if necessary.
        Tom
        You nailed me!

        I am already thinking of another doctor for a second opinion as the doctor I saw yesterday said surgery wasn't going to help. I know of several people who did have some kind of back surgery and feel good today. I do need some relief without mind altering drugs. When I go for the epidural, I will ask for a 2nd opinion!

        Speaking of drugs - I thought pain meds were for pain! However, I found out first hand they are more for mind than the locality of pain, and the doctor yesterday said that for the most part, that was right!
        Hank Lee

        Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!

        Comment

        • Pappy
          The Full Monte
          • Dec 2002
          • 10463
          • San Marcos, TX, USA.
          • BT3000 (x2)

          #5
          Been living with back pain since 1970 except for a short period after they took out one disk in '87. Hurt it when I was a young trooper and was given valium for muscle strain for about 15 years. After surgery I herniated 2 more, above and below the one removed, within 3 years. I was told this would happen and to put off further surgery as long as possible.

          I'm thinking after the current health issues are resolved I may look into it. The disk problems coupled with arthritis are making it harder to function.
          Don, aka Pappy,

          Wise men talk because they have something to say,
          Fools because they have to say something.
          Plato

          Comment

          • TB Roye
            Veteran Member
            • Jan 2004
            • 2969
            • Sacramento, CA, USA.
            • BT3100

            #6
            Since I lost the weight my back is much better. I think it just nerve damage in my right leg from bad circulation and PAD. When the great Vascular Surgeon repaired my Aneurysm he had to repair my arteries with stents and long with the stent to repair the Aneurysm as the went in through the groin and the arteries started falling apart. There is some numbness on the surface of my right leg and there may have been some damage to the nerves while repairing the artery. I trust my Doctor she is not a surgery happy fool. Kaiser allows her much room to test and find out what is wrong so that is what he is doing as my primary physician she order test and the refer me to the proper specialist. In this era of mandated health care I am one of the lucky ones being on Medicare but having Kaiser and not having to wait for Insurance to approve what care or tests I get. I have had my Doctor for the past 15 years just about as long as she has been out of Med School. I can Email her with a question or concern and she will answer with in 24 hours. She was also one of the Doctors involved in our care during the Kaiser Medical Weight Management program LOML and I went through. I am very grateful and do not take my Medical plan for granted it has made my retirement pretty stress free health wise. That is the only reason we are still in California and haven't bailed out of here.

            Tom

            Comment

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