Question
I had non invasive surgery in Nov of this past year of a herinated disk on my left side.. I am still to this day experiencing numbness in the back of my thigh, leg and down my foot as if someone was twisting the skin (Indian burn).. I have had constipation since that time and am experiencing lower left pain in stomach. I was wondering if the numbness and or inflamation could be causing my constipation and inability to go . and the numbness is caused by a nerve root inflamed or damaged?

Answer


 Hi Julia,

Sorry I wasn't able to get back with you immediately but we have severe flooding here in the Midwest and in our house.

Any interference with the lower lumbar nerve roots will cause constipation and painful sensations in the lower extremities and buttock. The stomach would not be affected; this may be doing to medication. You need to see another surgeon, preferably one that doesn't know the original. These surgeries rarely turn out, follow up care is critical or scar tissue proliferation will cause the same issues to return. One way to minimize this is therapeutic ultrasound if you have no metal left in you, if you do, then cold laser will work. Flexion/distraction is also important for post-op patients; it is noninvasive and can make a large difference.

Here is a site that can guild you to a physician and explains what it is. It is fully researched and proven effective.

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



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

Massage and epidurals won't solve the problem either.


Thank you for your question Julia and good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com