I'm hurting after being rear ended

[RESORT2ME]

From Wikipedia

Spondylosis is degenerative arthritis of the joints between the centra of the spinal vertebrae. In this condition the interfacetal joints are not involved. If severe, it may cause pressure on nerve roots with subsequent pain or paresthesia in the limbs.
When the space between two adjacent vertebrae narrows, compression of a nerve root emerging from the spinal cord may result in radiculopathy (sensory and motor system disturbances, such as severe pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, back, and/or leg, accompanied by muscle weakness). Less commonly, direct pressure on the spinal cord (typically in the cervical spine) may result in global weakness, gait dysfunction, loss of balance, and loss of bowel and/or bladder control. The patient may experience a phenomenon of shocks (paresthesia) in hands and legs because of nerve compression and lack of blood flow. If vertebrae of the neck are involved it is labelled cervical spondylosis. Lower back spondylosis is labeled lumbar spondylosis.
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I do experience:
Severe lower (L4-5) pain in certain movements and positions. No radiating pain in limbs though.

Occassional balance loss, shocks in legs.

Numbness of outer thigh muscles, once it starts, lasts for as long as I walk or stand.

I feel fortunate!

[RESORT2ME]

From Wikipedia

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves. This is usually due to the common occurrence of spinal degeneration that occurs with aging. It can also sometimes be caused by spinal disc herniation, osteoporosis or a tumor. In the cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) region it can be a congenital condition to varying degrees.
Spinal stenosis may affect the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. In some cases, it may be present in all three places in the same patient. Lumbar spinal stenosis results in low back pain as well as pain or abnormal sensations in the legs, thighs, feet or buttocks, or loss of bladder and bowel control.
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Apparently my spinal canal has narrowed due to degeneration while aging.

Some probably was caused by L4 disc herniation back in 1976. Prior to removal by surgery, my low back pain radiated into my thighs.

I've recuperated just fine and thought I had it made. Now, here we go again.

[dougp26364]

Originally Posted by RESORT2ME

Yeah, I thought of that but then decided "Oh well, there's only so much space for a title". And I figured my post would set things straight.

I could have used "Rear Ending Hurts".

That might have made me spit out my coffee onto my compter screen. ;)

I sort of like the title. It always manages to put a smile on my face. I hope you find a way to manage you back pain so that it's not to intrusive on your life. I know that, over the years, it's just become an old friend that I have to deal with from time to time.

[idahodude]

Basically, your back shows normal aging, mild arthritis, and the spinal stenosis as you mentioned. There also may be a bit of nerve impingement higher where the neural foramina (holes that nerves come through) may have disk pressing on them.

Spinal stenosis and the neural foraminal impingement can cause the shooting pains. Typically, they will respond to physical therapy, NSAIDs, and possibly epidural steroid injections. Recovery can easily take up to six months. I generally recommend against surgery unless you're having bowel or bladder issues related to the back, significant weakness, or other major neurologic signs (not just pain). If you do get surgery for this, most people do have some improvement, but at two years out, the folks that had surgery are no better off than those who didn't.

Also, many neurosurgeons won't operate on this without an MRI or a CT myelogram (if you have a pacemaker).

[RESORT2ME]

Thanks for the many words.

I'm laying low till Monday when I visit the nerve/pain doctor. I will live with what I have and take shots if necessary.

If I can accept limited movements to keep from hurting so bad, that's the style of life I'll have. I don't want surgery.

[RESORT2ME]

Remember my car accident of 31 August? Weeks of physical therapy helped. Took several weeks more of laying around visiting relatives.
Finally decided it's as good as it's going to get.

Tired of hurting with every move, I finally got the Epidural Steroid Injection. I'm sore and thinking only of myself at the moment.

So what are epidurals?
The human spinal cord is an organ controlling sensation, movement, vascular construction, sweating, and hormone production. Similar to the brain, the spinal cord is well protected with spinal fluid, which is contained by a few layers of membranes. The outside layer of the membranes is the thickest and strongest layer, named dura. In the spinal canal, there is a loose space between the dura and surrounding bone structures called the epidural space, where spinal nerve roots exit the spinal cord and spinal canal to reach every part of the body.
Epidural injections mean delivery of medications to the epidural space.
Epidural steroid injections are used to reduce inflammatory response of the spinal nerves or discs, caused by a variety of reasons. Selective nerve blocks are also called transforaminal epidural steroid injections. The medications are selectively delivered to particular spinal nerve roots through neuroforamina, which are canals that the spinal nerves use to exit the spinal column. If the pain is relieved by selective nerve blocks, it suggests the pain generators are related to inflammation in those particular nerve roots. Therefore selective nerve blocks are not only therapeutic but are frequently used for diagnostic purposes.
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Robert

[4ARedOctober]

Hi Robert...not sure why I missed this but this is the first I heard of your accident. Sorry about your accident and back pain.

I have chronic back pain due to degenerative disc disease and previous ruptures. At home we joke that I have had more epidurals than my wife has or ever will (hopefully) and it provides temporary relief which allows some healing to take place. With degenerative discs the pain always returns eventually and I do not get these anymore. They have provided weeks of pain relief in the past.

I hope you get better.

[katiemack]

Sorry to hear about your pain, it is something my sister has suffered from for several years, and I know how bad it can get from her reports. I wish you health and healing.

[bigfrank]

Originally Posted by RESORT2ME

Remember my car accident of 31 August? Weeks of physical therapy helped. Took several weeks more of laying around visiting relatives.
Finally decided it's as good as it's going to get.

Tired of hurting with every move, I finally got the Epidural Steroid Injection. I'm sore and thinking only of myself at the moment.

So what are epidurals?
The human spinal cord is an organ controlling sensation, movement, vascular construction, sweating, and hormone production. Similar to the brain, the spinal cord is well protected with spinal fluid, which is contained by a few layers of membranes. The outside layer of the membranes is the thickest and strongest layer, named dura. In the spinal canal, there is a loose space between the dura and surrounding bone structures called the epidural space, where spinal nerve roots exit the spinal cord and spinal canal to reach every part of the body.
Epidural injections mean delivery of medications to the epidural space.
Epidural steroid injections are used to reduce inflammatory response of the spinal nerves or discs, caused by a variety of reasons. Selective nerve blocks are also called transforaminal epidural steroid injections. The medications are selectively delivered to particular spinal nerve roots through neuroforamina, which are canals that the spinal nerves use to exit the spinal column. If the pain is relieved by selective nerve blocks, it suggests the pain generators are related to inflammation in those particular nerve roots. Therefore selective nerve blocks are not only therapeutic but are frequently used for diagnostic purposes.
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Robert

You need more than 1, 3 is what they say you should have, I had 3 and the last one had a hot needle to kill the nerve.

[longtimer]

If you can, try to get to someone who specializes in minimally invasive procedures for the spine. There are several new options that may be available to you that don't entail major surgery. You may have to travel to Baltimore to get some of the newer treatments.