cervical mri, please review *pic*

[newbiepostmva]

Judy, it sounds like you're dealing with so much, I'm sorry to hear that.

Yes my left leg is in a lot of pain, down to the toe. I had an injection last week, and it was worse after that. My MRI on my lumbar shows herniation at l4-5, spondylolisis and spondylolisthesis. There's also more findings. Again, never had pain unroll this jerk hit us. I can barely walk, can't sit for more than 5-10 minutes, its really affecting a lot. Phys therapy and injection failed so far.

I'm seeing my primary ms who is a D.O. and just saw a ortho surgeon who did the injection

[mmglobal]

Hi newbie... welcome! Sorry you find yourself researching spine.

You clearly have a frank herniation at at least one level with the fragment extruded downward. It's hard to draw conclusions from one slice in one axis.

It's still early if you had a november or december accident. Have you had a lumbar MRI? I had a seemingly mile rear-ender that made my lumbar much worse that cervical (presumably because lumbar was already well on it's way.)

What are your surgeons recommending? Hopefully you'll be able to avoid surgery, but if you do have to get surgery, there will be a variety of options depending on who you go to.

Good luck... please keep us posted.

Mark

[jsewell]

I actually saw what Mark is talking about, it is up at one of the higher levels. Did you also have a lumbar MRI? I'm really sorry you are in so much pain. I hate when you just can't get comfortable.
WHat is next for you. An apt with the surgeon? An apt with a neuro or spine surgeon?
Judy

[newbiepostmva]

yes iv'e had a lumbar MRI and CT. I have a herniation at L4-5. apparently spondylolisis and spondylolisthesis, the L4 slipped on top of L5. theres also some degenerative issues, narowwing of the canal, and a bunch of other things.


I had a lumbar injection last week, and actually feel worse, have had pain down my left leg to my big toe since the accident, can barely walk. I've seen my D.O. and an ortho surgeon...not sure what the next step is. I also tore my supraspinatus tendon in my shoulder.....hell of an accident, i'm so irritated, and in so much pain every day

[jsewell]

You were sure in a horrible accident. Have the ortho doctors discussed surgery or anything to fix you? Did you have just one injection? I am having lumbar injections on Wednesday . My surgeon uses general anesthesia as he doesn't want to cause pain. He does about 6 or 8 injections at one time. the last time they took away lots of my pain and i am hoping they will do the same on Wed. The cortisol in the shot helps me with strength , pain everywhere and my sleep so i don'[t sleep all day. I have a pituitary loss of function and adrenal insufficiency and it is now thought that i am low on steroids (cortisol) so i love getting any anesthesia as i need to get a stress dose of steroids which helps me for about a week. Sorry this is so long.
So through all this how is your mid back? It is the strongest part as the ribs are connected to the spine and it makes the whole area much less likely to have problems.
judy

[newbiepostmva]

Jsewell, no we haven't discussed surg options yet, but will at next appt since the lumbar inj didn't work, we will see.

Thx for the support . This sux, I've never had this kind of pain b4

[jsewell]

I agree, spine pain does suck. I had a hip replacement and the pain before the replacement. After the spine acted up, i told my hip surgeon that hip pain was nothing before and after.
I hope you get some relief soon. Are you on any pain meds?
Judy