Annular Tears, chemical radiculopathy.

[library]

I have never heard of this term before. Is it considered as a particular classification inside of lumbar radiculopathy?

[mmglobal]

Radiculopathy is radiating pain due to nerve irritation. It typically comes from compression of the nerve because of disc herniations, osteophytes (bone spurs), collapsing disc height or buckled ligaments because of the collapse, facet hypertrophy (overgrown facet joints), congenitally small canal or foraminal spaces or other cause.

Even without substantial nerve compression, some people can have substantial radiculopathy because of chemical irritation of the nerve roots. The herniated disc leaks chemicals that are neurotoxic.

Aren't we lucky.

Welcome to the forum,

Mark

[Keano16]

We'll said. Patient can have radiculopathy without visible nerve compression.

It occurs in grade 5 (and grade 4?) annular tear. It represents on MRI as high-intensity zone (HIZ). To see if particular disc is causing problems discography is ordered.

[CajunRich]

MRI says nothing is wrong

4 Different Physicians are blind due to me having a history of opiate problem.

I have not been dx'd yet with anything. I have had severe lower back pain, Near the lumbar/Sacrum area. Then my upper thies will hurt after I have sat down for a little while. Next my Heels will hurt like heck if I am on them to long or drive for long distances. Actually the driving of long distances has been out lately due to my buttock hurting so bad.

My back hurts so bad I have to cut all my boxer shorts so the waste band does not put pressure on my lower back. A belt is out of the question. On bad days it radiates to my hips. After reading all these forums I feel like there is no real fix which is disheartening. My wife and daughter are really suffering b/c of my lack of participation in events with them. This is the first summer in all my life I have only played golf once. (hold...I have to shift my sitting position The only thing I feel is different than what I have read is my heels hurt but not the top of my foot and not a tingling sensation.

I am tempted to just check into a local hospital and not leave till we get a solid DX. MRI said nothing is wrong. Neurosurgeon said it should only be one side not the other if it was injury related. PT made it worse....Chiropractor did help a bit but did not fix the problem. I do feel my skinny butt is helping inflame the nerves. I am just started celebrex and lyrica (yippie)

I want to know can medication cause this pain? What else should I do ...I am lost. Working nights for years in the hospital I would sleep at night in my chair leaned back right on my lower lumber for hrs in a leather chair. I really feel that, golf and my terrible posture is the culprit of problem.

Any thoughts?

[Keano16]

Get a second opinion... (neurosurgeon or ortho surgeon, use SMISS or SpineUniverse doctor finder).

[Maria]

Get another opinion or two or three would be my recommendation as well. Keep complaining if you keep feeling the pain because no doubt you have something going on "in there" that's causing the pain.

I remember when I was told my various problems couldn't be causing bilateral pain or pain that moved from side to side tho it did and I continued to complain until I had all the diagnostics that rendered findings and allowed me to get sufficient spine care (thru Worker's Compensation).

Maybe your habits and posture have contributed to the problem tho it's most likely there one way or the other so the plan would be to get it diagnosed and treated no matter what has made it exist.

I also went for years where I could not even think about wearing jeans because of the waist bands or other pants that had a waist band that would bind or I could feel in that area. Even hosiery that used to feel somewhat tight in the waist area would bother me!

Good luck and keep complaining until you get further diagnostic testing that will help reveal what the nature of your problem could be.

[dshobbies]

Hi CajunRich and welcome to the forum,

Ditto to previous recommendations. Don't know what kind of doctors you've seen but you definitely need a specialist. In addition, I would also recommend a pain management specialist since they are more familiar with drug interactions and what may or may not be related to your opiate use.

From someone having been there with absolutely no medical expertise, it does sound like you're having nerve involvement with something. Keep searching until you find the answer. Some doctor will believe you and explore further.

Good luck and please keep us posted. You might also consider starting your own thread.

Dale