Question
i work at a cabinet shop building cabinets lifting, bending, twisting repetitively 9 hrs a day. I worked out 4 hrs a day 5 days a week after work. I was in complete shape and very strong. I was asked to help unload cabinets at house with atleast a dozen cabinets 8ft tall and weighed between 200 and 400 lbs. I helped lift everyone of them. Also we had to walk downhill to the back of the house and through hallways , flipping these cabinets etc. after 3 hrs of this i did my back,arm and leg stretches. on the way back to the shop my back had a spasm but mild. it went away in 20 or so sec. when i got back to the shop and got out the shop it happened again and it was worst and lasted longer. afterwards i stretched. went back to building and lifted one cabinet that weighed maybe 40 lbs and my complete back went into a spasm and i couldn't move anything. i was sent to the ER and diagnosed with a paraspinal back spasm. injected me with 60 mg of ketorlac and sent me home to rest for 6 days.  since then i gradually had pain in my back especially lower. about a year ago i noticed my left shoulder was giving out alot when lifting, my left leg was losing its strength and posture only on my left side was getting bad. i finally went to the ER because the pain was to much in my left shoulder. they sent me to get an mri. results were from the hospital i had mri at was:there is mild synovial hypertrophy about the AC joint. no significant degree of anterior spurring.there is a moderate degree of increased signal demonstrated within the substance of the supraspinatus tendon in a pattern that is most consistent with tendinosis.no evidence of a rotator cuff tear. the humeral head appears spherical and configuration.the glenoid appears normal.there is irregular altered signal seen within the substance of the labrum posteriorly.this is suspicious for complex tear.there also is abnormal configuration of the labrum anteriorly.anteriorly labrum appears to be avulsed.overall abnormal appearing labrum.
another orthopedic i seen said:very poor scapular control,RCT,MDI    noncontrast MRI L shoulder shows: tendonosis of supaspinatus,infraspinatus, & subscapularis without an obvious tear, bicep tendon does not appear sublexed, inferior & possible superior labrel tears.  i am seeing a chiropractor for the last 9 days and at first back was terrible and now it is much much better. but it still hurts. my mother has been a nurse for 30 yrs and said that had back problems before and 3 chiropractors said her back was fine, then 4th one gave an x-ray right away and found a either a slipping or herniated disc don't remember what she said. i am requesting my chiropractor to give an x-ray before anymore treatment. now my other problem is i have no balance with left leg. when run my right leg is aligned with my shoulder while my left leg is everywhere. my right leg is doing all the work walking or running. i need a doctor to help me with this. did i rupture a nerve or something else that has gradually caused my left side to lose its power/function because of my paraspinal spasm i had at work from repetitive lifting, twisting etc. of heavy objects. as well i have been working in building dept. doing the same thing for 3 yrs now and never had any problems, i could everything with both hands and legs equally until this injury happened. did this spasm cause it gradually

Answer
Hi, Benjamin,

You are experiencing motor loss in the left leg probably due to a left sided disc herniation at L4 or 5. An x-ray won't show this but an MRI of the lumbar spine will. Once diagnosed, you need to find a D.C. that has flexion/distraction tables. This equipment isn't cheap and over half the D.C.'s practicing don't have one. Find one that does, here is a site that lists certified doctors that have them.

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

The labral tear in the shoulder usually requires surgery, I know this isn't good news but it is the best option, I am not sure why the ortho didn't suggest it.

You sound like a good candidate for osteoarthritis(OA) with your current demands put on your joints and low back. I strongly recommend you research glucosamine sulfate which will reveal it is shown to stop and reverse this condition.

I can guarantee that you will eventually wear out the articular surfaces of the joints in your body that take the most abuse. This shouldn't be difficult to fend off if you are proactive in prevention. Taking 3000mg/day will help prevent OA and disc herniation in the future, it is inexpensive and has no known side effects. If diabetic, you need to monitor your blood glucose closely, aside from that, it is safe.
Your job is writing checks your body can't cash; get the bank balance up with preventive stores of adequate nutritional reimbursement and you'll have less to worry about. This will also aid in healing the labral tear after surgery; if needed.

If you need help finding a physician in your area, please feel free to contact me and I will personally see to it that you get the right care. I can be reached by cell at 708-466-9994 or by this site. Let me know if you need anymore help and I will be happy to assist.

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com