Question
Since last one month my Wife is sufferring from Back pain which runs on the left side leg from Hips to down. We have done MRI & Doctor has said it is Slip Disc & adviced for surgery. On requested Dr.told we can put her on traction for a months time & see the progress. Now 18 days are finished but she feels the same pain when she is going to the Toilet.  MRI observations are as follows:-
1) There is straightening of the Lumbar spine.
2) The vertebral bodies are normal in height and signal intensity. Their posterior elements are normal.
3) Small marginal osteophytes are seen at multiple lumbar levels.
4) L5 Vertebra is partially lumbarised. L5-S1 disc is rudimentary.
5) Posterior & Left paracentral herniation of L4-5 disc with minimal left paracentral inferior migration is seen, causing compression of the thecal sac and left L5 traversing nerve root, which appears edematous.
6) L3-4 disc is also dessicated and shows annular posterior bulge, indenting anterior subarachnoid space.
7) The facet joints are normal. Ligamentum Flava are not thickened.
8) The conus is normal in signal and morphology. There is no abnormal pre or paraspinal soft tissue.
9) Sagittal bony canal dimensions at midvertebral levels are within normal range.
10) Sagittal bony canal dimensions at midvertebral levels are within normal range.

Screening sequence through pelvis with both hips: does not show any significant abnormality.

Conclusion:
a) Changes of lumbar spondylosis.
b) Posterior and left paracentral herniation with minimal left paracentral inferior migration of L4-5 disc.
c) Annular posterior bulge of L3-4 disc.

Please Doctor advise on the above & please suggest if their is any exercise to be done, or else.

Thanks & Regards,
Mohammed S.Shaikh
91229819041178

Answer
Hi Mohammed,

Your wife should respond well to flexion/distraction therapy. It is not traction, it is proven effective for reducing and decompressing herniated discs. Your wife only has disc herniations at two levels without canal stenosis, this is good. She absolutely does not need surgery, this will probably create more problems then it solves anyway. Find a local Chiropractor that has F/D tables, this is your answer. You can expect a significant reduction in symptoms after a couple weeks.


Flexion-Distraction Therapy - What is it?


Flexion-Distraction, (F/D) is a gentle, chiropractic treatment procedure utilized for back and neck pain. Flexion-Distraction is a safe alternative to back surgery for those 95% of patients whose conditions do not demand surgical intervention. The doctor is in control of the treatment movements at all times.

Flexion-Distraction is utilized for many conditions such as:

Failed Back surgical Syndromes
Disc Herniation/Ruptured Disc / Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc
Sciatica / Leg pain
"Whiplash" injuries
Stenosis
Arm Pain
Neck Pain
Failed course of Steroid Injections
Chemical Radiculitis

Spondylolisthesis

Headache
Transitional segment
Many more conditions?
How does Flexion-Distraction Work?

For Disc related conditions:

Increases the intervertebral disc height to remove annular tension on the annular fibers and nerve by making more room and improving circulation.
Allows the nucleus pulposus, the center of the disc, to assume its central position within the annular fibers and relieves irritation of the spinal nerve.
Restores vertebral joints to their physiological relationships of motion.
Improves posture and locomotion while relieving pain, improving body functions, and creating a state of well-being.
For Non-Disc related conditions:

Patients with other conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sprain/strain, scoliosis, transitional vertebra, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment, certain types of spinal stenosis), Flexion/Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place the spinal joints into normal, painless movements so as to restore spinal motion without pain:

The posterior disc space increases in height.
F/D decreases disc protrusion and reduces stenosis.
Flexion stretches the ligamentum flavum to reduce stenosis.
Flexion opens the vertebral canal by 2 mm (16%) or 3.5 to 6mm more than extension.
Flexion increases metabolite transport into the disc.
Flexion opens the apophyseal joints and reduces posterior disc stress
The nucleus pulposus does not move on flexion. Intradiscal pressure drops under distraction to below 100mm Hg. On extension the nucleus or annulus is seen to protrude posterior into the vertebral canal.
Intervertebral foraminal openings enlarge giving patency to the nerve.

Reference: Cox JM, Feller JA, Cox-Cid JA: Topics in clinical Chiropractic 1996; 3(3):45-59

Here is a link to the site.....

http://www.coxtechnic.com/homepage.asp#


Please read up on it, it has been around for decades. Spinal decompression is basically the same thing, it is automated and may cost much more. It goes by names such as Vax-D, DTS, DRX, ect....... Try F/D firsts if possible, it will get results faster!

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin