Multifactorial lower back pain and immobility.

by Bruce
(Australia)

Hi
I am 49 and in constant pain and unable sometimes to move.

I have been diagnosed with facet joint arthropathy (mri) after 20 years of back pain which also at various stages had diagnosis of prolapsed disc, unknown reasons etc etc. Now as well as this my hips ache.

Also had two knee arthroscopies on right leg at age 35 without any trauma to knee and this knee is now playing up again.

I believe right ankle subluxation (now arthritic) at age 17 due to accident whilst in army has caused shortening of same leg and led to all above problems but trying to get anyone to accept this has been difficult.

I am attempting to get legs measured and then if as I suspect there is a difference I will attempt to provide link between ankle and LLD .
Do you have any advice as I can only see this as progressing and not in a good way.
I would be happy to supply more detail if required.
thanks

Dear Bruce,
Gosh, you are young to be having such difficulties.

Firstly, the leg length. It's not rocket science. Ask someone to stand behind you, place their hands on the crests of your hips. Ususually it's quite easy to see if there's a large discrepancy. Smaller amounts are more tricky. Then bend forward: does the person behind you see the leaning tower of Pisa?

Remember that hip arthritis radiates to the knee. If you are having stiff hips, then one needs to be sure that the knee pain is not pain radiating from the hip. Lying on your back, pull the knee to the chest, and then the opposite shoulder. Feel inordinately stiff and sore, especially in the groin?

I have only two real suggestions of merit. Start the lower back exercises for facet joints, you'll find them at C-H, and do them very faithfully every morning before getting out of bed.

Secondly, if you have been to a chiropractor, isn't it time? Don't expect miracles, it will take time and hard work on his/her part.

I hope this contributes.

Dr b

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Interesting challenges of the day

1. Mr S is a 76 year old man with neck pain of some 9 months duration. Luckily, most of the discomfort is upper cervical which is only rarely arthritic; his lower cervical spine is a degenerative mess that I've left alone. After seven treatments his pain and stiffness is 50 percent better, and he's happy in the circumstances. He can sleep through the night now and that makes a huge difference.

2. Mr P is 32 year old man with very severe lower back pain radiating to the big toe which is 30 percent numb. He had an episode three weeks ago, took anti inflammatories and was soon better as is typical of the medial disc herniation. But before it healed, after a trivia it came roaring back, much worse. The characteristic crossed sign was evident; sitting in a chair, straightening the right leg provoked severe left back pain and tingling in the leg. He's doing well.

3. Severe lower back pain is scary; just ask Mrs P. Just watching her get out of the car I she was in trouble; she had a slipped disc at L4 making her lean towards the opposite side; luckily she had no pain in the leg. Despite family pressure that this was far too severe for a chiropractor, she persevered. Within five days she was standing upright, and after two weeks almost painfree. 

Despite a hectic job, she wisely took my advice and stayed home for what I call exercising bed rest.

4. Mr S has had lower back, groin and back of thigh and calf pain for fourth months.

He has a pincer deformity in the hip causing the stabs in the groin, and a degenerative facet causing the sciatica. Both are responding well to chiropractic and he's well pleased; sixty five percent better after three treatments.

5. Mr T is a wise man; he's taken a warning TIA seriously and has lost 15 pounds, and has at least as much again to lose. A change to a low starch diet and half hour daily walk has made the difference; but the walking is making his foot and back miserable. The expensive orthotic is hopeless; luckily his hips and back are fine, but he needs a simple heel lift.

6. I too have had serious lower back issues, luckily fixed by my own chiropractor; so I too have to do my exercises, take care when lifting supers full of honey, gardening and using the chainsaw. Regaining the function of your spine is just as important as the pain.

7. My own granddaughter, only 7 is hypermobile giving her pelvic, knee and ankle issues. Xrays show a mildly dysplastic hip. Years ago we would have called it growing pains. She too regularly needs chiropractic care and luckily responds well. Increased range of motion is more difficult than too stiff in my opinion. Our care is for kids too.

8. This 65 year old lady is a serious gardener; every day she is bending, lifting and digging for 2 to 3 hours a day. It regularly catches her in the sacroiliac joint, so she has a treatment once a month that sorts it out. She does her lower back exercises faithfully.

9. This 88 year old lady is an inspiration; every day she is busy in the community. With a nasty scoliosis she manages very well with a chiropractic adjustment every six weeks and exercises faithfully done.  

10. Mr X is a 71 year old retired man who wants to continue with maintenance care every six to eight weeks; he had suffered from two years of lower back pain when he first came a year ago. He has no discomfort now after 8 chiropractic treatments, but is aware that danger lurks.

11. Mrs C has been having severe headaches, and taking a lot of analgesics. It's a non complicated upper cervical facet syndrome, and she's doing well.

12. Mr D is a 38 old year man with chronic shoulder pain after a rotator cuff tear playing cricket. It responded well to treatment, but he knows he must do his exercises every day; for two years he couldn't sleep on that shoulder.

13. Mr D, a 71 year old man, has a severe ache in the shoulder and midback since working above his head. Trapped nerve tests are negative but he has advanced degenerative joints of Luschka; after just two treatments he is 50 percent better. Can we reach 90?

And so the day goes; chiropractors shouldn't be treating the elderly most medical sites state but that's so much bunkum.

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