Question
MRI 09062011 final
Hello,
I have pain in my left buttock and the pain is felt upto the left foot. Also half of the left foot (near the smallest 2 fingers) and half left calf is numb. I have attached my MRI report dated 9th June 2011.
I have another MRI report dated 4th July 2011. The conclusion of the same is follows:
- Lumbarised S1 Vertebra.
- Dysplastic right S1 laminae & the right S1-S2 facet joint.
- Broad based, postero-central disc extrusion with a large left superior migrating component compressing the traversing nerve roots & markedly impinging on the left traversing S2 nerve & the exiting left S1 nerve. The superior migrating component upto the upper 3rd level ofthe S1 vertebra.
I have already taken complete bed-rest during the period (almost a month) between the 2 MRIs with no relief.
Will be meeting a spine specialist / surgeon on 7th July 2011. Kindly provide your views on proceeding with surgery / alternates. If surgery then which surgery will be the right one considering the longest relief from the problem and least restricting my daily activities and martial arts practice.
AnswerI'm not sure who told you bed rest would fix the problem. they were clearly wrong. If you go to a surgeon he will recommend surgery. You have many alternatives you have not even tried. I will name them from least invasive to more invasive procedures: first; being gentle chiropractic care to remove pressure off the nerve that is being pinched. second; being physical therapy. third; cold laser or low level laser therapy (i would personally do the chiropractic for at least 10-16 weeks with laser for best results) fourth; being epidural or cortisone shots.
martial arts shouldn't even be considered right now , unless you want to definitely get surgery and never be able to do martial arts again. statistics for back surgery are very bad. most people that have surgery are in as much if not more pain 5 years after the surgery. surgery is your abslute last resort.
