Question
I was in an auto accident 6/22/07. I have since been having hip pain that radiates down my leg. It feels like it is deep inside. I am a jogger and I can't jog. I can power walk but with pain. If I stand on the affected leg only and bend the knee, there is pain and then when I immediately stand on both legs it seems the affected leg releases somehow and there is extreme pain. The pain seems like it is in my hip or where the leg and hip joints attach. I had an MRI that showed L4-5 disc degeneration with mild protrusion. My physician also said I had a LS ligament sprain/strain. Can the disc degeneration cause the hip/leg pain? Can the LS ligament cause the pain? Also, could all of this be related to the auto accident? I have been getting conflicting answers from physicians. I do have lower back pain that I did not have prior to the accident. I am currently in physician therapy. They are treating my back as well as my hip. Thank You.

Answer
Hi Tracy,

It is common to have low back soft tissue injuries with car accidents. The LS Stn/SPN and disc protrusion is causing the referred pain into your hip and leg. Physical therapy will yield only minimal results at best. You need flexion/distraction therapy. It is the only proven therapy to reduce herniated discs.

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

This site explains the procedure as well as lists qualified physicians. Continue icing and avoid heat. Seeing a Chiropractor is your best chance of getting this corrected.

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



Thank You for your question Tracy, I hope this helps!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com