Question
Hi.. my name is susana... i had a accident back on 1/29/09 where lifting heavy objects at work i injure my back. I was diagnost with a bulging disk on L3-L4 and L4-L5, after that injury I had another on 6/11/10. My R leg slip to the side on a wet floor, I did not hit the floor because I hold on the sink, but something pop on my lower back. Since then my pain increase like crazy, but the pain is more on the hip, around de coxy area and lower back, buttuck and goes to my knee and my ancle.. my knee it feel like something is going to pop out of place... the pain is increasing with walking and standing. I been using a cane for the last 6 months and even using the cane i feel the pain. I been diagnost with degeneric disk desease, and been treated like that. I use anti inflamatories, PT and epidoral injections (3 of them) and I saw last a Spinal Surgeon, but he said that my disk are not that bad and Im not candidate for surgery. My orthopedic surgeon said that they did everything on they power but for him he cant explain why I still on pain. I been out of work since 7/28/10 because I cant do my work that envolve been up and walking for shift of 10-12 hours daily. Now he send me back to work because MMI and no work restrictions. Im only 27 years old, I have a 5 yr. son and Im frustraded because I cannot do almost anything. Only simple things. I will be thankfull if you can giveme your opinion. I have a copy of a MRI of my lumbar. I will apreciate your help.

Answer
Susana,

You need to find a chiropractor that can offer treatment different than what you've had so far.  The chiropractor must determine if you have any of the following: 1) lumbar segment instability, 2) weakness to trunk or core muscules, 3) deep joint fascitis or scar tissue, 4) joint fixation dysfunction.    What you have is not uncommon and if you do not find a good chiropractor then you are missing out on an entire avenue of treatment.   If you can, find a referral from this list:  www.westhartfordgroup.com     If you have instability, where one of your lower back bones slides around on another, then you need to be doing "stability exercises."  If you have deep joint fascitis, then you need the chiropractor to first do therapeutic ultrasound to prepare the tissue, then do a soft tissue therapy such as Graston Technique.    If you have joint fixation/dysfunction, e.g. some of your joints are stuck or not working smoothly, then the chiropractor needs to do skilled joint manipulation techniques (see my web site www.drgillman.com for videos of this stuff).  

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G