PAIN IN LEG (THIGH) WHILE WALKING FOR 40 FEET

by ASEEM JAIN
(BARGARH INDIA)

OBSERVATIONS:
* Loss of lumbar lordosis is noted.
* No other remarkable vertebral abnormality is seen.
* Neural foramina and facet joints are unremarkable.
‘ Sagittal diameter of bony spinal canal measures as follows:
L1 = 18 mm, L2= 17 mm, L3 =16 mm,
L4 =15 mm, L5 =14 mm.
* Diffuse annular bulging of L3 -L4 disk is noted causing effacement of epidural fat.
* Diffuse annular bulging and central protrusion of L4-L5 disk are noted causing mild thecal sac compression.
* Diffuse annular bulging and massive central-bilateral paracentral extrusion with caudad migration of L5-S 1 disk are noted causing thecal sac compression and bilateral lateral recess encroachments (L > R).
* The thecal sac shows normal signal characteristics.
* Visualized portion of the spinal cord is normal.
* Paraspinal soft tissues are normal.
IMPRESSIONS
1) Paraspinal muscle spasm.
2) Diffuse annular bulging of L3-L4 disk causing effacement of epidural fat.
3) Diffuse annular bulging and central protrusion of L4-L5 disk causing mild thecal sac
compression.
4) Diffuse annular bulging and massive central-bilateral paracentral extrusion with caudad migration of L5-S1 disk causing thecal sac compression and bilateral lateral recess encroachments (L > R)

Hello Aseem,
You have quite a large bulge of the disc, though I wouldn't call it "massive". But big enough to give you lots of pain.

One important thing: if it comes to surgery, there is doubt in my mind about the level. The radiologist says the extrusion is at L5-S1 - but there is clearly a (rudimentary?) disc below L5. Either he has the level wrong, or you have a "lumbarisation" - a sixth lumbar vertebra.

That could make it difficult for the surgeon, and he could go in at the wrong level.

Do you only get pain when walking? If you bend slowly forwards do you get pain in the leg?

Do the "slump test" at Chiropractic-Help (use the Search this site function) and leg me know what happens.

Can you stand on one leg, first on your toes (raise your heel) and then on your heel (raise the big toe)?

This is the sort of condition that can be reduced with careful manipulation, but whether you can find a chiropractor in Bargarh is another matter.

Sit much less, do the back exercises at C-H, don't sneeze, don't bend and given time it may heal of itself.

I hope this has contributed. I would suggest you print this out, and give it to your doctor. The surgeon must obviously operate on the correct level. A good surgeon would of course pick this up immediately.

Dr B