Question
I was lifting heavy boxes at work from ground lvl on the left and handing them off chest hight on the right. I felt some minor pain in my lower back I thought it was maby a strain or somthing. About 20-30min later I was using the restroom and their was somthing in my urine followed by extreem pain, I told my boss and he sent me to the nearest clinic. That was on 8/21/06, the doc said it was maby a kidknee stone, also that I might have a herniated disc or a sliped disc. On 9/5/06 I went in for my MRI and it showed a minimal disc bulge on the L4-5 lvl... I was in Physical therapy for most the time sence. On 1/8/07 my MRI report stated that I have...

1. Bulging Anulus present at the  L4-5 level with facet hypertrophy as well as fluid within the facet joints, right greater then left. clinical corralation required.

( what does all that mean? did the physical therapy worsen my condition? )

My specialest said that I have pre-existing,
  L5 spondylolysis with grade 1 spondylolisthesis at L5-S1

He did a X-ray and was pointing out somthing within the bone.  A few weeks later about 2months after the accident I got a bone scan that tested negitive. Apon receving my second MRI he decided it would be in my best intrest to transfer my care.

How do I fix my back problem, I have problems walking, standing, sitting is bearable to a point except for when in a car. I'm 24 and can hardly walk, I have been like this for about 5-6months. my upper back is starting to hirt, and I still have a dull pain throughout my lower back. Theirs a grinding feeling when standing / walking.

How do I fix this, are these spondy things all the same thing, and whats that second MRI report mean??????

Thanks

Answer
Robert:

Thanks for writing!


This is a typical example of American medicine at its worst.

To get over this, the first thing you must do is increase your water intake. How much water do you drink now?

The Spondy thing is basially a squishing of the gristle between your back bones which allows the bones to slip forward, one over the other.

The physical therapy did not make your condition worse. It simply did not get to the root of the problem and correct it.

The "facet hypertrophy" means the little flat places where your backbones fit together are getting rough and growing larger.

These findings on the MRI are those found in thousands of men your age. They do not indicate a serious disease or disability, many men have them and are walking around without a bit of pain.

So why do you have pain? That is a good question. First is the water intake mentioned above. Second, it is very likely that when you were lifting the boxes, the hip bone slipped aways from the back bone, causing the spine to sit crooked and setting off the kidney thing and the pain. To find out if this is the case, go to www.sorsi.com, www.soto-usa.com and www.icak.com and look for a good chiriopractor near you. They can invsestigate this and get to the root of the problem and fix it.

Does this answer your question?

Dr. Rozeboom