Question
QUESTION:  I have sciatic pain shooting down the back of my left leg and into my foot and small toes for 2 years now. I also  have had headaches that last for weeks and pain in my arms, more in the left arm with numbness in my left hand and fingers (more so when I lying down, but it does happen throughout the day also.) I was referred to a neurosurgeon and go on July 19. I would like you to give me some advice on my results, here they are:
mild scoliotic curvature of the cervical-thoracic column on the frontal projection. There is reverse of the normal cervical lordosis lateral projection. There is narrowing of the C4-5,5-6,6-7 disc. The marrow signal pattern is normal. There is a minimal bulge in the posterior longitudinal ligament and hypertrophy at C3-4 producing some mild canal stenosis.The spinal canal is narrowed to 10mm. At C4-5 there is a broad based hard disc bulge which is producing left greater than right bony neuroforaminal stenosis and spinal stenosis. The spinal canal is narrowed to 9 mm and the cervical cord is contoured. There is also a broad based hard disc bulge at C6-7 producing relative spinal stenosis,narrowing the spinal canal to about 9mm AP. There is bilateral bony neuroforminal stenosis left greater than right. There is a minor bulge of the C6-7 disc. The cord has normal signal and caliber throughout. Thank You in advance!

ANSWER: Hi Shelia,

Probably only a handful of surgeons can competently do this invasively. Even at that, you will have to contend with scar tissue proliferation in a year after the operation. This is never good. I have treated thousands of MRI cases worse than this, most if not all resolved in a couple months. Please investigate the link I provided, find a certified doctor in your area that treats these things nonsurgically. The risks are extremely high for a poor outcome if you get cut. Please let me know if you need any additional help. The MRI simply states you have a major disc herniation flattening the spinal cord with several others either bulging or thinning creating a tight space for the nerve exiting the spine. Please check out the link, you will be happy you did.

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

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you think a chiropractor could help me? If so, what do you think I need?

Answer
Hi Shelia,

I think the right Chiropractor can help you. Only 40% of lichened D.C.'s will be able to treat this since it requires specialized equipment. I suggest finding a certified one from the list in the link I provided you. This technique works extremely well for precisely your condition. Read about it in the site, you will learn a lot. Here is some other things it is proven to work for.
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


Dr. Tim