Questioni had 2 ruptured disk surgeries lower back and a little higher on 2nd one. now i have numbness on left let and constant pain on rt butt, near waist. my dr blows me off and has me on lyrica. but it is not doing anything, have had 6 different epidurals. will i be like this rest of my life, is this result of ruptured disk?
Answerback pain , pain in right butt , failed back syndrome , failed back surgery , numbness , pain
Hello Tatis,
Sorry to hear of your condition. Sorry the back surgery failed.
If I mistranslate, or misunderstand, please do not hesitate to re-contact me here at AllExperts.com
( http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm ).
From you question, I read that you have had two surgeries already for your low back. After your low back surgeries did you feel good for a while? Was the return to pain/ dysfunction quick or slow? You say your surgeon has 'blown you off', have you communicated your concerns to him(her)?
Doctors have a bias,,,, to a surgeon, surgery is the answer; to a medical doctor, medicine is the answer; to a doctor of chiropractic, chiropractic is the answer. Some doctors will NOT admit their bias. I will admit my bias.
Doctors often see the other doctors failures. You do not see the other doctor's successes- because the patient is fixed and happy. All doctors see other doctors failures. The Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) often sees the MDs or Surgeons failures.
Surgery on the back has a high repeat rate and a high failure rate.
"" Failed back surgery syndrome is seen in 10-40 percent of patients who undergo back surgery. It is characterized by intractable pain and varying degrees of functional incapacitation occurring after spine surgery. http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=42287 ""
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"".....This is an uncomfortable statistic, and it is an uncomfortable condition to manage. Patients are often young and were previously active but now face chronic pain for years. They come from the surgeons but are no longer surgical candidates. They have been through the gamut of orthopaedic, neurological, and radiological opinions followed by physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and possibly clinical psychology, funnelling them inexorably towards the pain clinic. Unfortunately, they fare badly there too, with just over one in three patients achieving more than 30% pain relief.
I know about this dreary path at first hand. Nowadays, we may increasingly be questioning the advisability of surgery for prolapsed disc.... http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/327/7421/985 ""
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"" .....Failed back syndrome or post-laminectomy syndrome is a condition characterized by persistent pain following back surgeries.
Failed back syndrome (FBS), more commonly referred to as "failed back surgery syndrome" (FBSS), refers to chronic back and/or leg pain that occurs after back (spinal) surgery.[1][2] Multiple factors can contribute to the onset or development of FBS. Contributing factors include but are not limited to residual or recurrent disc herniation, persistent post-operative pressure on a spinal nerve, altered joint mobility, joint hypermobility with instability, scar tissue (fibrosis), depression, anxiety, sleeplessness and spinal muscular deconditioning..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failed_back_syndrome ""
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"When To Say No To Surgery: How to evaluate the most often performed operations" , by Robert G Schneider, MD talks about the percentages with back surgery and pretty much states, unless an emergency, spinal surgery should not be performed. When one surgery is performed, many patients return for a second, third, even fourth back surgery.
In my Staten Island Chiropractic office, I have had one patient who had four prior back surgeries before the age of 50. He had been told he need another, and decided to try chiropractic. It is ten(+) years later, he has not had a fifth back surgery yet, he is feeling fine with chiropractic treatment.
I give you these articles because at some time it may be proposed to you that you need yet another surgical intervention.
I have no problem with surgery,
as long as the non-invasive, safe, conservative treatment alternatives have been given a fair try, and there is no other alternative then surgery.
All doctors take an oath to help the patient and '...do no harm...', that is why I think conservative, non-invasive treatment should be tried first. If we can stop the bleeding with a bandaid,,,, there is no need to perform surgery, open up the wound, and tie off the artery.
First, do no harm; first- treat conservatively.
Epidural steroid injections are usually safe, with little side effect and complication. However, the injection is treating symptoms, and often the complaints can return. Over the long term, repeated steroid injection can cause demineralization of bone, tendon and ligament; leading to joint deterioration.
I would recommend an evaluation by a Doctor of Chiropractic. Bring your procedure reports, Xrays, pre & post MRI studies, EMG/ncv reports to the DC for review. Evaluation may find that some type of conservative chiropractic regimen may be helpful to your condition.
Depending upon what was done to you, your current condition, depending upon current exam findings different conservative chiropractic techniques may be applicable to you.
"....will i be like this rest of my life?...", I do not know. If it were me, I would try safe, conservative, alternative, affective care for my condition. Chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, massage, rolfing, hypnotherapy; all are worth a trial of treatment. I am, of course, partial towards Chiropractic.
"....is this result of ruptured disk?...", new disc rupture, or disc rupture re-occurence is common in failed backs. The condition may also be due to adhesions (scar tissue) that forms due to injury or surgical intervention (this is one reason rehabilitation is so important). Altered biomechanics due to the rupture or surgery may be causing your condition (why I recommend Chiropractic- to return the biomechanics, as much as possible, back to normal).
I would recommend an anti-inflammatory lifestyle: drink plenty of water, eat fresh, raw, organic, natural; avoid smoking, drinking, drugs, processed foods; avoid obesity, avoid either too much or too little activity.
Some anti-inflammatory, pro-healing nutrition:
Proteolytic enzymes are beneficial to counteract the inflammation. Bromelain is an example of a proteolytic enzyme.
Essential fatty acids are precursors to potent antiinflammatory substances. Essential fatty acids include fish oil, flax oil, evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil and borage oil. Essential fatty acids include omega-3 fatty acids (fish and flax oil) and omega-6 fatty acids (black currant seed oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil).
Quercetin is a potent bioflavonoid, in fact, it has been named, "the most important flavonoid" by a leading peer-reviewed journal (Nutr. Cancer 1993, 20:21-9). It is a powerful antioxidant, and Michael Murray suggests that, "quercetin appears indicated in virtually all inflammatory and allergic conditions" (Murray, M. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, 1996, Prima Publ., Rocklin, Ca. p. 327).
Vitamin C is essential to the healing process. Bioflavonoids in general operate to stabilize cell membranes, decrease the release of inflammation mediators and inhibit the inflammatory process (Amella et al. Inhibition of mast cell histamine release by flavonoids and bioflavonoids. Planta Medica 1985;51:16-20).
Both calcium and magnesium relax the muscles. Magnesium inhibits inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis (Fontana-Klaiber, H., and Hogg, B. Therapeutic effects of magnesium in dysmenorrhea. Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax 79(16): 491-494, 1990).
Zinc promotes healing.
Boswellia serrata is reported to have strong analgesic (pain-relieving) effects (Kar, A. & Menon, M.K. Life Sci. 1969;8:1023), along with antiinflammatory and anti-arthritic activity.
Tumeric research has demonstrated excellent antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric, and especially of curcumin, which is the active component of turmeric that is responsible for the yellow pigment (Reddy AP & Lokesh, BR. Mol Cell Biochem. 1992;111-117). The antiinflammatory properties are due to the ability of curcumin to reduce histamine levels and possibly increase
natural cortisone production by the adrenal glands (Aora RB, Basu N, Kapoor V, Jain AP. Antiinflammatory studies on Curcuma longa (turmeric). Ind.J.Med Res. 1971:59:1289-95).
Ginger is an herb known mostly for its therapeutic effect in nausea. Ginger also has powerful abilities to combat inflammation, and these antiinflammatory effects are well-backed by scientific studies. Ginger contains phenolic compounds that inhibit the enzymes responsible for generating important mediators of pain and inflammation in more than one pathway (Kiuchi et. al.
Inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis by gingerols and diarylheptanoids. Chem Pharm Bull. 1992;40:387-91).
Milk thistle has always had a strong reputation for supporting liver function and pathways of detoxification. Removal of wastes and toxins is crucial in decreasing inflammation. Silymarin, which is one of the main ingredients in milk thistle, has an antiinflammatory effect on blood platelets (Altorjay I et al. Acta Physiol Hung 1992;80:375-80), and the ability to inhibit free radical production and leukotriene synthesis means that it prevents the powerful, inflammatory leukotrienes from wreaking havoc in the body (Alarcon de la Lastra,
C. et al. Planta Medica 1995;61:116-119; Fiebrich F and Kock H. Experientia 1979;35:148-150).
Herbs to aid in muscle relaxation include valerian, passion flower, kava kava, and scullcap. Do not use kava kava if liver disease is suspect.
White willow is an antiinflammatory and analgesic agent. White willow was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce pain and fevers. The salicylates found in the white willow bark are responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-fever effects. Acetylsalicylic acid, otherwise known as aspirin, is chemically similar to the salicylates.
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In my practice I hand out information sheets, perhaps this will be helpful to you:
Beware of overutilization of PAIN MEDICATIONS :
PAIN
Pain is a 'red light on the dashboard'.
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car- -- do you ignore it until the car
breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down, or do you get it checked and
correct the problem? Pain, do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis , not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation ( 慥SC?, 憇ubluxation?)
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition.
Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as
well as other pathology.
Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some
patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals
(medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.
Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with
the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
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I have given you a lot of information, I hope you find this helpful.
My main recommendation- see a Doctor of Chiropractic, preferably with additional credentials
http://www.amerchiro.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf
( For instance I have a DACBSP ).
I hope the above helps. If further info is needed, do not hesitate to
re-contact me here at AllExperts.com
( http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm )
Thank You, your Staten Island Chiropractor friend signing off,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (email newsletter)
