Question
I went to a chiropractor and he did an X-ray..after seeing the X-ray i asked the chiropractor if he thought he should do any treatments without an mri since i had right leg weakness and severe pain.. also the X-ray should 2 vertebrae laying on each other no disc..i was concerned and he assured me that he could help...i decided to trust him and had first treatment...when i felt worse and could hardly walk..so i went to the ER..i had an mri done the next day and it showed 2 disk plus the one showed on the chiropractor X-ray completely gone.  The neurologist told me the chiropractor should have never had touched me.  I now have to have surgery to major to have something fused plus screws put in... my question should the chiropractor just relied on the X-ray?

Answer
Shelly,

It is not uncommon for DC's to treat a patient that has sciatic pain along with weakness in the lower extremity.  Nerve related weakness in the ankle and great toe extensor muscles is called a motor deficit.  Depending on how your physical examination went in the DC's office, it could have been perfectly reasonable for the DC to provide treatment.  Did the DC do a thorough physical exam?  Did he/she inform you of possible reactions to the types of treatment provided?   Usually, however, when there is the combination of severe pain, motor deficit, and loss of reflex (muscle-stretch reflex, where the DC' taps you with a rubber hammer), then it's best to get the MRI and not rely solely on x-ray, in my opinion.  I would agree with the neurologist only if you had signs of spinal cord compression or significant neurologic compromise.  If you didn't have these neurologic signs, then it is okay for the DC to attempt treatment, and I would challenge the neurologist to show facts as to why he/she believed the DC should never have touched you.  Chiropractors can treat conditions similar to what you are describing to me (please understand that I do not have all of your history/exam data to review).  Lastly, it is quite common for symptoms to become worse with ANY physical intervention, including joint manipulation methods.  Are you informed of the potential consequences of surgery?  

I hope this helps answer your question.  You may find similar questions/answers in previous AllExpert.com postings.  

'Best of luck in your recovery.

Dr. G