SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS case file
SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS case file. What happens when a wrong diagnosis is made and inappropriate treatment recommended. Mrs van der S is only 34 years old - yet she now has the lumbar spine of a 60-year old. How can that happen? Nine years ago, when she was twenty-five, she had her first attack of acute low back pain, known in Holland as 'spit', or non-specific acute low back pain for which the usual treatment is antiinflammatory drugs and perhaps physiotherapy. In retrospect it was obviously her first herniation. She recalls clearly that she could not bend forwards, bearing down on the toilet was painful, sitting was impossible and turning in bed was agony. The pain receded but she recalls that her back was left much stiffer. Four years ago she had her second attack of 'spit'. The symptoms and signs were similar. Once again there was no leg pain, and she recovered within a few weeks. Everyone was satisfied. But, in fact, what was happening? Each time the bubble of gel in the centre of disc - an incompressible fluid that keeps the bones apart - was partially lost. This allowed the bone above to settle deeper on that below.
One year ago ...
Mrs van der S had her third episode of 'spit' and decided instead this time to consult a chiropractor. Me. Tingling had started on the side of the lower leg. Forward bending was very painful, bearing down (called a Valsalva in chiropractic jargon), coughing and sneezing were painful, (together called the triad of Dejeurine): Pain with- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Bearing down on the loo
and the Slump Test (+2) was strongly positive. It provoked tingling in her lower leg. You can do the Slump test at home, but be careful. The purpose of orthopaedic tests is to provoke the condition - done in a slipshod fashion it can aggravate your back. Still no X-rays had ever been taken and, given the common nature of the condition - I am consulted each week with at least 10 patients with a similar presentation - we agreed to a short trial of chiropractic adjustments. Happily she responded very quickly. Too quickly. When the pain passes over quickly, I find patients are less inclined to do the rehab exercises faithfully. To be quite honest, despite 29 years with backs, I too under estimated just how serious it was. X-rays are really ALWAYS indicated.
SLUMP TEST
Three months ago ...
Mrs van der S had her fourth episode, and this time the pain did not decline so quickly as it did nine months previously when she first consulted me. I ordered X-rays, and I confess to be as shocked as she is. She has the back of a sixty year old woman. In reality she has had "slipped disc" at two different levels.
TINGLING IN FEET AND LEGS ...
- NORMAL DISC
- First sign of DISC DISEASE
In the so-called "Slipped Disc" the central bubble of gel, called the nucleus pulposis in anatomical terms, has protruded through one or more layers of the "annulus fibrosis".
- A flat tyre! A DEGENERATED DISC
Loss of the gel in each episode of 'spit' allows the vertebra above (L4 in this case) to settle lower onto the vertebra below (L5). Eventually it's bone-on-bone and then ARTHRITIS!
Flat tyre!
Flat tyre!
Yes, this SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS case file is the back of a woman aged only 34. It's hard to believe. Not knowing the facts I would have guessed 60+.
Can you see those white patches in the lower-most two vertebrae? In essence this slipped disc symptoms case file is a "sprain" of a tissue not unlike a ligament, and fluid builds up. Here we can see it deep within the bone. It's called in radiographic jargon a Modic Effect. Hope not to see it on your report!Having said that, I have treated many, many patients with modic effects and they too get better with Chiropractic.
CHIROPRACTIC
In Chiropractic we believe very strongly in taking attacks of acute low back pain seriously. What needs to happen is that bubble of gel that has leaked out MUST be restored to its proper position - or, it's lost for ever. Otherwise, each time there will be loss of disc space. In addition, re-establishing the normal biomechanics of the joint is vital. Without movement, the fluids that slosh about inside joints are not refreshed with oxygen and vital substances like hyaluronic acid and glucosamine, essential chemicals that make up healthy cartilage. Scientists have no produced heaps of evidence that this leads to what they call Immobilisation Arthritis. That is why, for example, after an orthopaedic procedure on your knee, you will probably wake up to find your knee moving in a strange mechanical motorised device. This is the essence behind SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS case file.
Read more … IMMOBILISATION ARTHRITIS >>
CHIROPRACTIC RULE OF THREE
At SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS case file, we want to stress ...- Accept that the days of lifting pianos and the like are over. For ever.
- Accept that for the rest of your life you will need to do some simple exercises EVERY morning before getting out of bed, and EVERY evening for the rest of your life. EVERY DAY. FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
- Come for an occasional but regular Chiropractic adjustment. How often is occasional? Work that out with your doctor.
NO, absolutely NO ...
Probably NO ...
Definitely YES ...
Sign up her for our basic low back exercises: CHIROPRACTIC TIPS. They're free.
Definitely YES ...
NUTRITION
There is quite strong evidence from Harvard Medical School that a chicken bone extract that you can easily make in your own home will make an enormous difference to this degeneration. It contains the vital substances of cartilage, gelatine, glucosamine chondroitin sulphate, hyaluronic acid ...At SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS case file we stress the importance of treating your back from every possible perspective. Chiropractic adjustments, rehab, exercise, common sense, nutrition ...
CHICKEN BONES >>
GLUCOSAMINE CHONDROITIN SULPHATE >>
PREVENTION
Like other serious diseases, for example Diabetes and heart disease, Low Back Pain has to come under careful and thorough management to prevent this ...
Even this lady (67) is responding better than expected to Chiropractic care. I just wished someone started a SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS case file on her forty years ago.
IMPORTANT LINKS
SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS ...
POSTERO MEDIAL DISK HERNIATION ...
POSTERO LATERAL DISK HERNIATION ...
From Slipped Disc Symptoms Case File to (FAR) LATERAL DISC HERNIATION ...
The grave dangers of DUAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS ...
FINALLY ...
This SLIPPED DISC SYMPTOMS case file is still in progress, and will be for the rest of Mrs van der S's life. It's going to take hard work on the part of her chiropractors, a solid relationship based on trust, honesty and respect, and a recognition on her part that she has a serious problem in the making. I had a cousin, a close very lovely first cousin, who died at 42 after her seventh back operation. Literally. I don't want Mrs van der S to go down that road ...
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