Question
2 weeks ago I went to a chiropractor for extreme neck muscle tightness and intermittent ache on right lower back accompanied by right calf ache and pins and needles in right big toe (mainly bottom or end of toe).  I told him my lumbar MRI showed disc bulges and DDD at L34 and L45 but doesn't show any nerve impingement.  He manipulated my neck and gave me some neck stretches.  He also did what I believe is an si joint manipulation (lying on my side he bends top leg up to my chest and thrusts on my lower back).  My neck feels better but in my lower back is now in constant strong ache on the right side and my right leg feels longer - I now have right ankle pain and my right heel feels bruised from hitting ground so hard).  My left knee is now painful, my gait feels thrown off and the only way to lessen the knee pain when I walk is to place my right foot almost over the midline of my body when I take a step.  It also feels like my right leg is doing all the work - it gets very tired sore standing or walking.  I've told my chiro this and he keeps doing the same adjustment - he'll check my leg length when I'm lying down and he says that it's fine and  my sacrum is "all square".  Something is wrong - I could walk fine before, but since these manipulations I can't stand or walk comfortably.  Have these adjustments messed up my pelvis?  si joint?  Please help if you can.

Answer
Rebecca,

Ask your chiropractor to do a neurologic exam and make sure you have normal skin sensation, reflexes, and muscle strengths.  Ask to do nerve tension tests and provocation/alleviation tests (e.g. McKenzie tests). Ask him to stop measuring your leg lengths and pondering the alignment of your sacrum.   Ask to assess soft tissues in lower back and buttock (e.g. hip rotators) and release any possible adhesions or fascial irritation.   If your chiropractor is unfamiliar or unwilling to do these basic assessments and procedures, then you need to find a new chiropractor.   Also, Rebecca, understand that if this was your first ever joint manipulation to the lower back or pelvis, it is not unusual to have odd sorts of soreness.  But, depending on the amount of force used or the combination of your unique back issues, the treatment could have simply irritated the discs and caused the referred symptoms into the thigh and lower extremity.  If the former is the case, it often quites down over time and with heat, massage, or follow-up treatment.  If the latter is the case, then it is possible that you are not a good candidate for joint manipulation (or that style of joint manipulation).   

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G