Question
I suffer from severe pain in my right leg, foot and hip. This started about four years ago as numbness in my foot and developed to the point where the it seriously compromises my life.
My scans apparently indicate spondylolisthesis (L5/S1) and surgery was immediately suggested (over a year ago now). I've since attended physio, a pain clinic and had various injections without any benefit. I'm now on my new consultant's "last option before surgery" (Lyrica) which (so far) seems to have helped a little.
All of the doctors I've seen about this, including a medical osteopath have said that any manipulative approach would be danagerous and could make matters worse and I've not be brave enough to ignore this.
What sort of specialist should I be trying to find who can help me here in the UK if Lyrica doesn't do the trick. I'm very keen to avoid surgery if I can.
Thanks in anticipation for your advice
AnswerHi Allen,
How ironic, "any manipulative approach would be danagerous and could make matters worse" since surgery, not mainipulation, will almost definately create more problems then it solves.
I never heard of maipulation being a problem with this condition since the pars is usually stable. Never-the-less, flexion/distraction therapy is both safe and effective for this condition.
Indications include sponylolithesis
Flexion-Distraction Therapy - What is it?
Flexion-Distraction, (F/D) is a gentle, chiropractic treatment procedure utilized for back and neck pain. Flexion-Distraction is a safe alternative to back surgery for those 95% of patients whose conditions do not demand surgical intervention. The doctor is in control of the treatment movements at all times.
Flexion-Distraction is utilized for many conditions such as:
Failed Back surgical Syndromes
Disc Herniation/Ruptured Disc / Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc
Sciatica / Leg pain
"Whiplash" injuries
Stenosis
Arm Pain
Neck Pain
Failed course of Steroid Injections
Chemical Radiculitis
Spondylolisthesis
Headache
Transitional segment
Many more conditions?
How does Flexion-Distraction Work?
For Disc related conditions:
Increases the intervertebral disc height to remove annular tension on the annular fibers and nerve by making more room and improving circulation.
Allows the nucleus pulposus, the center of the disc, to assume its central position within the annular fibers and relieves irritation of the spinal nerve.
Restores vertebral joints to their physiological relationships of motion.
Improves posture and locomotion while relieving pain, improving body functions, and creating a state of well-being.
For Non-Disc related conditions:
Patients with other conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sprain/strain, scoliosis, transitional vertebra, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment, certain types of spinal stenosis), Flexion/Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place the spinal joints into normal, painless movements so as to restore spinal motion without pain:
The posterior disc space increases in height.
F/D decreases disc protrusion and reduces stenosis.
Flexion stretches the ligamentum flavum to reduce stenosis.
Flexion opens the vertebral canal by 2 mm (16%) or 3.5 to 6mm more than extension.
Flexion increases metabolite transport into the disc.
Flexion opens the apophyseal joints and reduces posterior disc stress
The nucleus pulposus does not move on flexion. Intradiscal pressure drops under distraction to below 100mm Hg. On extension the nucleus or annulus is seen to protrude posterior into the vertebral canal.
Intervertebral foraminal openings enlarge giving patency to the nerve.
Reference: Cox JM, Feller JA, Cox-Cid JA: Topics in clinical Chiropractic 1996; 3(3):45-59
Here is a link to the site.....
http://www.coxtechnic.com/homepage.asp#
Continue with your instincs, look at past questioneers in this section, most if not all post-operative patients end up worse off. Do whatever possible to avoid surgery, flexion/distraction is a great alternative.
Good Luck!
Dr. Timothy Durnin
