Mid-back pain?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi everyone, I've been having quite a lot of pain in the middle of my back lately and it seems to be getting worse.
A little background - at the end of January I fractured my L1, had stabilisation surgery to implant screws and rods from T12 to L2.
I've had lower back pain occasionally since the accident and surgery but my mid back pain has really only started this past couple of weeks.
The pain feels like it is muscular pain, to either side of the spine. When I press on either side it is very painful, and there is a long muscle that kind of twitches/moves when I press on it or try to move it to the side.
The area of where the pain is is roughly in the middle of my back, I would say the pain is mainly between the T9 - L2 area roughly.
Any advice on what this pain is, what could be causing the pain, what I can do to help the pain would be greatly appreciated or anybody who is suffering similar pain I would like to hear what you know about it!
Also, I know it's a tricky question to answer when you don't know me, but thanks anyway for any sort of info!
0 likes, 9 replies
CHICO_MARX james57451
Posted
If it was me...
The first thing I'd want to know is: "Is there anything wrong with my previous surgery/hardware". That's a visit back to your neurosurgeon and an MRI.
If everything is OK, then: "Is there anything on the MRI that indicates another problem?" MRIs can be inconclusive so the doc may order a CT/Myelogram with contrast (the "gold standard" test) to answer that one. It is not uncommon for a fusion patient to have problems with another vertebra above or below the previous surgery. I'm fused L3 through S1 via a traditional TLIF (rails and screws done through the back). Last October, I developed stenosis at L2/L3. Luckily, this one was fixed in a heartbeat with an LLIF (LATERAL) fusion where they go in from your SIDE!!! One night in the hospital, immediate relief, no brace, no rehab. So if you do find a one-level problem, there's an amazing fix for it.
Lastly, if nothing is found, I'd go to a good chiropractor for spine alignment and/or muscle work. I had a very painful hip pointer (intense pain right on the tip of my left hip) a few months ago. My chiro touched my quadratus lumborum (QL) muscle located on both sides of your back approximately covering your kidneys...I hit the ceiling. She knew exactly what muscles cause what pain and where. Some manipulation plus massage for a day or two and it loosened up very nicely. No pills.
If you need more on the LLIF, search YouTube for "globus lateral" to see a cute animation. Good luck...hope it's just muscular.
james57451 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Hi Chico, thanks for the reply. That would be a great idea except my neurosurgeon is useless when it comes to post-operative care and won't speak to me or answer messages etc. I had my first post-op checkup four months after surgery and he wouldn't even speak to me then so I drove 100 miles for no reason and he will not even arrange a second meeting, I also didn't even meet him before surgery, he's very ignorant in general.
I'm not sure if my surgery was actually fusion surgery or not, because a different doctor in the hospital told me they COULD take it out in a year or so because I'm young. I know that generally, fusion patients do not get the hardware removed unless it is causing issues, but they didn't say they would definitely take it out. So, it could well be a fusion surgery and they would like to take the metal out just because I am young but it is not necessary you know.
That's great and I'm glad it worked for you! I definitely do not want to undergo any more back surgeries though, unless of course, to take the metal out. I don't like having the metal in my back at all it's generally painful and causes a great deal of hassle with everyday tasks haha.
The chiropractor sounds like a good shot also, I would generally be very wary of chiropractors as I've always heard they have a reputation of being rough you know haha.
I ofcourse cannot arrange an MRI / CT scan with my neurosurgeon as I will probably never speak to him, but how else would I be able to go around getting a CT / MRI arranged?
Thanks!
CHICO_MARX james57451
Posted
You go to a new neurosurgeon. Bring all your films, discuss the problem, get the imaging done. Is there an issue about seeing another doc? I'd find someone with sports experience...younger patients.
james57451 CHICO_MARX
Posted
CHICO_MARX james57451
Posted
Are you US? If not, I don't know the rules in your country's healthcare system. On my insurance here, I can go to anyone without a referral, although some plans require the GP to make one. Do the research into doctor rankings in your area and find a good one then have your GP write it specifically for that doc. I was lucky in that my daughter-in-law is one of the top trauma nurses in Fort Worth so she knew the reputations of ALL the docs in the area.
james57451 CHICO_MARX
Posted
No I'm not I live in the UK, so I get free healthcare via the NHS unless I choose to go private, that could be why referrals etc. are needed.
I'll do just that, that's a good idea. Very lucky indeed haha! Thanks very much.
diana57263 james57451
Posted
Seven months on I still get pain usually only after being on my feet for long periods or walking longer distances which can be relieved upto a point by long periods of rest on a recliner.
From the research I found out, it is the proteins contained within the disc spaces that can cause inflammation causing the pain to radiate in the lumbar region and to refer pain to the sides and hip area.
If the annulus that are the outer rings of the intervertebral discs wear down, the spine is not effective to resisting motion that causes a term called Micromotiion, if you google micromotion of spine or search [DDD] degenerative disc disease it explains in more detail.
james57451 diana57263
Posted
Very similar to mine! My fracture was actually a burst fracture and lost 50% of the height with 12mm retropulsion into the spinal canal, just touching the cauda equine but it would not have healed without surgery and would have been too dangerous with the positioning of the vertebrae fragments.
Do you feel like your pain is muscular to each side of your spine kind of? That is the way mine feels.
What age are you if you don't mind me asking? I still get pain frequently when being on my feet too long also and get especially stiff after being in a car for too long etc.
Thanks very much for your answer!
diana57263 james57451
Posted
hi James - at first I thought the low lumbar pain was muscular but now I know it's more to do with L1 disc compression and general disc degeneration worsend by RTA [road traffic accident] last January. My low lumbar paid is right across on both sides.
Now if that is not anough, just a few days ago I've started getting sciatic hip and thigh pain on the left side that makes lifting my left leg painful when lying down or sitting. Has your sciatic nerve been affected?
?After my L1 compressed fracture which vertebra has now been reduced to pancake size thus loosing me an inch in height but I did not have fusion surgery like you have.
I am in my early 50's and live in the UK and on living here now is not the best place or time to need medical attention with five months waiting to initially see a consultante and now having to wait months more to discuss my MRI results.