herniated disk in thoracic?

Question

i was in a car accident a few months ago and i have two herniated disks in the thoracic area and two in my lumbar.
i have constant pain down my left leg and arm, like someone is pressing on a pressure point, and i have constant pain when i walk or change positions. i have a doctor appointment in a month with a back surgeon but i cannot wait that long and there are no openings any sooner. i am going to physical therapy 3 times a week and it somewhat helps. what would you suggest?

Answer 1

Thorasic disc herniations are quite rare and do not typically refer pain into the arm (as mentioned above)...however, I have seen several and they all resolved quite nicely. The leg pain is most likely related to the lumbar herniation....of which I've seen too many to count...and they USUALLY do well unless they fail to centralize within the first seven visits (see below).

When pain is constant (and truely constant...meaning there is never a position or brief moment when you have no pain), it can be very difficult to treat as it might be a sign of very significant herniation...or a completely NON-neuromusculoskeletal pain!). However, I have seen several who have resolved nicely.

If you are getting better with the PT, keep it up...try to stay away from the modalities....they are a bunch of bunk...except for people with very acute pain.

If you find yourself not getting the results you need, I suggest seeing a PT with MDT experience...these are experts in the treatment of the disorder you describe. Furthermore, it should be known within the first 6 visit whether you are likely to benefit from conservative care. If your pain fails to centralize (move out of the extremeities and move more towards the spin) within the first 6 visits, this is a pretty good indication of poor prognosis with conserative care.

If your PT does not practice MDT and you are no longer getting results you need, I suggest you go to: http://www.mckenziemdt.org

Answer 2

It would seem unlikely that your thoracic disc condition and lumbar disc herniation would cause you to have pain in your left arm. The nerves which innervate the left arm would be affected by a cervical spine injury, Remember that even if you see the spine surgeon (neurologist or orthopedist) they will likely want some additional testing and to try non invasive treatments if you are not losing function. Work with your physical therapist and have them step up the spine modalities. There are some non-narcotic medications which work well for neuropathic pain, your family practice provider can help you with these until you see the spine specialist. Remember if the spine specialist is not booked one month out, they may not be the one you want to see, Talk to your primary care provider about your pain, ask the physical therapist what you can do to ease the discomfort at home.

Most important remember that pain is not the main concern here... watch for loss of strength or control of the limbs and loss of bowel or bladder control... these are the concerns which indicate a need for urgent treatment. If they happen see your primary care provider the same day or go to an emergency room.

Answer 3

Thoracic disc herniations are quite rare since you have the rib cage offering protection around the thoracic spinal segment. Are you definite about it? At the moment, pain relievers are the only things you can take. You are already in PT and those things just about comprise the nonsurgical management for herniated discs. Based on the PE to be conducted by the back surgeon and probably the MRI findings, you may be in line for surgery. Good Luck!

Answer 4

I have osteoarthritis in the severe degenerative stages and severe neurological degenerative problems also. I have had surgery in these areas twelve times, 36 screws and five pieces of wire along with three cages are holding my spine together. I have been in pain for 14 years, everyday, every night, I sleep two to three hours a night. I cannot have sex, my bladder does what it wants to and I'm constantly constipated. Have you ever heard of a "Crock-a-gator" a head on both ends and it can't crap, it's very crabby all the time for obvious reasons, that's me. My spouse tolerates me after 53 Years. I have been on everything but, due to costs Vicodin help keep the wolf from the door. Everything else is to expensive. Medicare has me in the "donut hole" I pay my own way. There's nothing I can do, waiting for an infusion pump for the constant pain and tremors. Oh! Yea. I forgot the stimulator implant, it doesn't work that well though. Hang in there and I hope everything works for you better then it did me. I didn't mention the cuts to the outer sheathe of the spinal cord, the leaking fluid, things like that. The stress on the heart, heart attacks as a secondary problem, etc.

Answer 5

See if there are other doctors who could see you sooner. In addition call the doc who you have the appointment with and see if you can get on a cancelation list, that way if someone has to cancel their appt. you can get in.
An anesthesologist who deals with pain is going to recommend you take 3 advil 4 times a day for the next 10 days, provided your stomach can handle it.
Hope these ideas helped.

Answer 6

you sound like a drug seeker nicole.