Question
QUESTION: I had a car accident 10/05 and caused a compression fracture at l2-l3; had a kyphoplasty and the material leaked causing stenosis; had a laminectomy for nerve root compression in 05/06; no pain relieve. pain runs down the back of my legs and into my feet;pain is also in my low back and i had another car accident in 4/07 which made the back and leg pain worse; however, mri is negative for disc herniation; mri revealed another compression fracture at t-11 as well as dense sclerosis in vertebral body low t1/t2 signal and discontinuity of right lsmins causing right posterateral dural ectasia.  I am 32 and I feel hopeless.  Can you please tell me what this means and why i am in this crippling pain? Also, can you tell what treatment or surgery can fix my back and legs besides the nerve implant transmitter.  I cannot walk because the pain so great

ANSWER: Hi Leiah'

As you probably already figured out, low back surgery never has a happy outcome. It sounds like you sustained numerous traumas causing multiple vertebral fractures. On top of that, material fell into the canal creating stenosis.

The good news is the material will prbably resorb in a year or two, the back can be successfully treated with Flexion/Distraction or Spinal Decompression.

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

Find a D.C. in your area that has F/D tables or I can help you. It will make all the difference in the world. Make sure they combine the treatments with therapeutic ultrasound to minimize scar tissue.

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you.  I just have one more question: My doctors tell me that the blunt force trama damaged my nerves and that it could take up to 3 years for them to heal; however, it has already been 1 1/2 years and I am not healing, the pain is worsening.  Is this nerve pain permanent? Thank you for your help.

Answer
The good news Leiah, is the fact you can feel pain. That means the nerve is working, the bad news is, your M.D. can't help you anymore, only a D.C. can do Flexion/Distraction.
Without undergoing a few sessions, it is impossible for me to tell if it is permanent. I highly doubt it is, all you need to do is find out. Make an appointment with a local D.C. that has F/D tables. You will know on the first or second visit if he is able to help you. If you are unable to locate one, let me know, I will find one close by.

Good Luck!
Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com