Back injury/ getting back into fitness

SJK

Hi!

Sorry for long thread but I'm a 28 year old female, I love to keep fit and would have done outdoor and indoor bootcamps and some running 3/4 times a week. In Feb 2013 i took part in Hell&Back, knee was sore whole way through (never had any trouble with it until day of and right before hell&back), couldn't bend leg after it, got some physio 2 days after. 3 days later I woke up and I couldn't move properly. My torso was leaning to the right slightly and was in complete agony. I went to physio they said I had a bulging disc in my spine. (have never gone for any scans) I had a couple of months of physio to help it. After this I went to a second physio (family friend jsut for a second opinion) who said they were not sure about my first prognosis and said that my right knee cap was floating inwards, that I needed to built up the muscle in my right leg and that my lower back was too arched due to weakness. Anyway I gradually got back into my fitness and eventually went back to my 3/4 times a week. I went to one particular class (back was ever so slightly sore beforehand) , was half an hour including a fair amount of twisting. I was in pain that night. The next day I lifted a couple of heavy things and was also minding my 6month old niece so some lifting etc, I leaned down to pick up something from sofa and felt something go in my back. Again could not stand up straight. I went to a physio an hour later and he told me that I had damaged my sacroiliac joint. I've had over a month of physio now and am finished. Again he says to gradually get back into excercise and gave me some core strengthening excercies.

That was nearly a week ago I finished physio and just do not feel right. hips get sore with walking and I just feel wonky if that makes sense and I can see it ever so slightly in my torso (physio says my hip was off about 5%).

Has anyone any experience with doctors/physios that they would recommend? I really don't know where to go from here, I don't feel like I had a proper answer really. I know these things happen but twice in 6 months and I have never had trouble before.

Also I still want to keep fit so does anyone know anything light I could do without creating further damage?

Thanks in advance!!

SJK

Burkatron

SJK wrote: »

Hi!

Sorry for long thread but I'm a 28 year old female, I love to keep fit and would have done outdoor and indoor bootcamps and some running 3/4 times a week. In Feb 2013 i took part in Hell&Back, knee was sore whole way through (never had any trouble with it until day of and right before hell&back), couldn't bend leg after it, got some physio 2 days after. 3 days later I woke up and I couldn't move properly. My torso was leaning to the right slightly and was in complete agony. I went to physio they said I had a bulging disc in my spine. (have never gone for any scans) I had a couple of months of physio to help it. After this I went to a second physio (family friend jsut for a second opinion) who said they were not sure about my first prognosis and said that my right knee cap was floating inwards, that I needed to built up the muscle in my right leg and that my lower back was too arched due to weakness. Anyway I gradually got back into my fitness and eventually went back to my 3/4 times a week. I went to one particular class (back was ever so slightly sore beforehand) , was half an hour including a fair amount of twisting. I was in pain that night. The next day I lifted a couple of heavy things and was also minding my 6month old niece so some lifting etc, I leaned down to pick up something from sofa and felt something go in my back. Again could not stand up straight. I went to a physio an hour later and he told me that I had damaged my sacroiliac joint. I've had over a month of physio now and am finished. Again he says to gradually get back into excercise and gave me some core strengthening excercies.

That was nearly a week ago I finished physio and just do not feel right. hips get sore with walking and I just feel wonky if that makes sense and I can see it ever so slightly in my torso (physio says my hip was off about 5%).

Has anyone any experience with doctors/physios that they would recommend? I really don't know where to go from here, I don't feel like I had a proper answer really. I know these things happen but twice in 6 months and I have never had trouble before.

Also I still want to keep fit so does anyone know anything light I could do without creating further damage?

Thanks in advance!!

SJK

You have a **** load of imbalances going on! Were you given any rehab after any of these physio visits? If there was any hint of a disc issue why weren't you referred for further investigation to confirm this?? As this has gone on so long 1st thing you should do is get a referral for an MRI to 100% confirm/rule a herniated disc (out)!

After that you need to go to a decent rehab specialist, it really sounds like you were taken on a fishing trip! Where are you based so someone can advise on who to see! Research them 1st though!

Anyway, get medical advice & take it from there!

SJK

Burkatron wrote: »

You have a **** load of imbalances going on! Were you given any rehab after any of these physio visits? If there was any hint of a disc issue why weren't you referred for further investigation to confirm this?? As this has gone on so long 1st thing you should do is get a referral for an MRI to 100% confirm/rule a herniated disc (out)!

After that you need to go to a decent rehab specialist, it really sounds like you were taken on a fishing trip! Where are you based so someone can advise on who to see! Research them 1st though!

Anyway, get medical advice & take it from there!

Hi! Thank you! I'm based in the Louth/Dublin area. The first time I hurt my back I went to the doctor on call because it happened on a Saturday, she said it was just muscle spasm, I also went to my own doctor and he said again about muscle spasm and possible disc problem but no was never recommended for a scan or any sort of rehab, what exactly is the rehab? I asked the physio last week if I needed to get an mri/scan and he said no. I definitely want to see someone else just not sure where who!

TheBellJar

MRI. MRI. MRI.

Burkatron

SJK wrote: »

Hi! Thank you! I'm based in the Louth/Dublin area. The first time I hurt my back I went to the doctor on call because it happened on a Saturday, she said it was just muscle spasm, I also went to my own doctor and he said again about muscle spasm and possible disc problem but no was never recommended for a scan or any sort of rehab, what exactly is the rehab? I asked the physio last week if I needed to get an mri/scan and he said no. I definitely want to see someone else just not sure where who!

Rehab is patient specific & should only be given by a qualified practitioner who has assessed you!
Get an MRI 1st so your physio cant just hypothesise what the problem is & take the absolute piss! (There are some cowboys out there that will keep bringing you back)

Dublin based physio's with a good rep:
http://www.sportsmedireland.ie/
http://functionaltraining.ie/

If you go down the Osteopath route:
Teryn Syngh in Merrion St, Chris Campbell in the walkinstown clinic, Jenny Murphy In Portmarnock are all really good

Missyelliot2

SJK wrote: »

Hi! Thank you! I'm based in the Louth/Dublin area. The first time I hurt my back I went to the doctor on call because it happened on a Saturday, she said it was just muscle spasm, I also went to my own doctor and he said again about muscle spasm and possible disc problem but no was never recommended for a scan or any sort of rehab, what exactly is the rehab? I asked the physio last week if I needed to get an mri/scan and he said no. I definitely want to see someone else just not sure where who!

You need to go to the doctor for the letter recommending an MRI. If needs be, he/she might send you to a consultant who will further investigate.

TBH, I went down the physio route and after an unsuccessful 16 visits, ended up getting a steroid epidural - which was sore, but very successful!
Good Luck with it all.

TheBellJar

Missyelliot2 wrote: »

You need to go to the doctor for the letter recommending an MRI. If needs be, he/she might send you to a consultant who will further investigate.

TBH, I went down the physio route and after an unsuccessful 16 visits, ended up getting a steroid epidural - which was sore, but very successful!
Good Luck with it all.

A physio can actually refer you for the MRI. Charter Medical do them for 200euro.

COH

If you are getting sciatica I'd get an MRI. If you aren't I'd begin with some basic mobility/stability work to rule out a relatively easy fix. If you are planning on getting an MRI anyway you could still look into incorporating some (if not all) of this into your daily routine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSSDLDhbacc

Burkatron

COH wrote: »

If you are getting sciatica I'd get an MRI. If you aren't I'd begin with some basic mobility/stability work to rule out a relatively easy fix. If you are planning on getting an MRI anyway you could still look into incorporating some (if not all) of this into your daily routine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSSDLDhbacc

This is good advice BUT do you not think with the Physio mentioning herniated disc in the past an MRI would give piece of mind & stop further physio's taking the OP on a fishing trip??

COH

Burkatron wrote: »

This is good advice BUT do you not think with the Physio mentioning herniated disc in the past an MRI would give piece of mind & stop further physio's taking the OP on a fishing trip??

One physio says disc bulge, another says its not... before spending alot more money on something why not try to be a little bit more proactive in eliminating the imbalances/weaknesses that are leading to pain?

What if an MRI shows a disc bulge/blackened disc or whatever that actually has very little to do with the pain?

What if there was no further need for physios?

What if a large percentage of pain could be reduced by reintroducing base movement and spending 10mins a day mobilising some areas and stabilising others. If you get an MRI you are still going to have to go through the same process anyway. Why wait?

It amazes me the amount of people I meet that go to doctors about pain.. take meds and hope for the best without ever really doing anything about it.

Im not saying dont get an MRI... im just saying an MRI in itself isnt going to fix anything.

Burkatron

COH wrote: »

One physio says disc bulge, another says its not... before spending alot more money on something why not try to be a little bit more proactive in eliminating the imbalances/weaknesses that are leading to pain?

What if an MRI shows a disc bulge/blackened disc or whatever that actually has very little to do with the pain?

What if there was no further need for physios?

What if a large percentage of pain could be reduced by reintroducing base movement and spending 10mins a day mobilising some areas and stabilising others. If you get an MRI you are still going to have to go through the same process anyway. Why wait?

It amazes me the amount of people I meet that go to doctors about pain.. take meds and hope for the best without ever really doing anything about it.

Im not saying dont get an MRI... im just saying an MRI in itself isnt going to fix anything.

Not disagreeing with you considering I recommend the same thing day in day out myself!

Missyelliot2

TheBellJar wrote: »

A physio can actually refer you for the MRI. Charter Medical do them for 200euro.

I know...but tbh, my experience put me off. The doc and consultant worked (for me anyway).

Mellor

Missyelliot2 wrote: »

I know...but tbh, my experience put me off. The doc and consultant worked (for me anyway).

I think you missed his point.
You said they need a doctors letter for an MRI, BellJar was pointing out that you don't and that a physio referral can be used also. This is in relation to an MRI only, nobody was talking about doctor verses physio for treatment.

Missyelliot2

Mellor wrote: »

I think you missed his point.
You said they need a doctors letter for an MRI, BellJar was pointing out that you don't and that a physio referral can be used also. This is in relation to an MRI only, nobody was talking about doctor verses physio for treatment.

ok. no prob

TheBellJar

COH wrote: »

O
What if an MRI shows a disc bulge/blackened disc or whatever that actually has very little to do with the pain?

What if it's a nerve issue? What if further training or the wrong 'rebab' makes it worse?

Going by the sh1t I've gone through with mine, it's just not worth the guessing game.

SJK

Thanks everyone. I feel I may need to get an MRI just to rule anything out but yes after this I need to figure out how to fix the problem. I am doing the excercises recommended by the physio but some of the times he had forgotten he had given me said excercies and would show me again. I just hate the feeling of being left to try and heal my back myself when I'm just not really sure!

Missyelliot2

SJK wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I feel I may need to get an MRI just to rule anything out but yes after this I need to figure out how to fix the problem. I am doing the excercises recommended by the physio but some of the times he had forgotten he had given me said excercies and would show me again. I just hate the feeling of being left to try and heal my back myself when I'm just not really sure!

Good luck SJK!
Completely understand re the physio - that's exactly what happened to me. That's why (for my two cents worth), I would just try the doc, MRI and get seen by a consultant.
Physio works for some, but others need a different approach

SJK

Missyelliot2 wrote: »

Good luck SJK!
Completely understand re the physio - that's exactly what happened to me. That's why (for my two cents worth), I would just try the doc, MRI and get seen by a consultant.
Physio works for some, but others need a different approach

Thank you! Yeh I'll just try all avenues I would just like it sorted so I can get back to normality! Thanks for the advice!

shamrock2004

SJK wrote: »

Thank you! Yeh I'll just try all avenues I would just like it sorted so I can get back to normality! Thanks for the advice!

And be aware that if something shows up on your MRI, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the cause of your pain. I have a work colleague who has terrible back pain but nothing showed up in the MRI. I have suffered a disc herniation and the pain is unbelievable - if you aren't suffering sciatica pain, count yourself lucky! I hope it works out well for you.

shamrock2004

SJK wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I feel I may need to get an MRI just to rule anything out but yes after this I need to figure out how to fix the problem. I am doing the excercises recommended by the physio but some of the times he had forgotten he had given me said excercies and would show me again. I just hate the feeling of being left to try and heal my back myself when I'm just not really sure!

Only you can heal your back by the way. I think you'll come to realise doctor's know next to nothing about back pain.

boardsusername

Hi SJK,

I feel for you. And wish you luck.
Having gone through the most painful year of my life so far I would highly recommend getting an MRI. Use the technology available (that has become affordable) to diagnose exactly what's wrong with you. Then get the appropriate treament & prescribed exercises, instead of spending money on guess work by chiros (made no difference except to my wallet), osteos (gave me exercises for years that were the complete opposite of the physios exercises) & (the most qualified but success varies from practitioners) physios.
My back was bad for about the last 6 years. I swim, do yoga, walk & surf regularly. I was on a surf holiday in France last Sept. & woke up with frightening pain down my left leg. My bf (at the time) rushed me to the nearest hospital in the campervan in rush hour traffic with an ageing sat nav (not fun) while i lay flat out on the bed vibrating with the pain.
I got a steroid shot in my ass for a few days. It didn't do much & spent the next 2 weeks of the holiday limping, lying flat out & chewing whatever painkillers i could get my hands on.
I returned to Ireland & went to my GP. She said my lower back was inflamed & i had sciatica. I had an MRI 4 months earlier as i was sure things were getting worse. It showed a prolapsed L5S1 disc & chronic degenerative disc disease. But it only kicked in that Sept.
I don't have health insurance & had to wait for free physio in Tallaght. I had very little hands on time with her & after a few months she said it wasn't really working. (I wonder would a physio charging 65e a session come to the same conclusion?) I was then, at my numerous requests, put on a wait list for a steroid nerve root block injection. I got this at the beginning of August. It helped with the daily pain, especially the pain that stops me sleeping & sitting. But it has now worn off & i am back to the pain. I am not bad enough for an operation (sucess rate on that varies too) but not good enough for physio alone to aid recovery.
I can't help thinking that a better physio might make a difference, but i can't afford one. I do my exercises but the pain has not gone away. The nerve is still being pinched by the disc & everything is still inflamed. I can't take much medication cause it wrecks my stomach & the nerve suppressant ones turn me in to a zombie. I had to go to counselling too. Don't underestimate chronic pain & it's impact on your life.
The only thing that has kept me sane & physically & mentally in tact is swimming. I feel no pain when i do it & it has strengenthed my leg & kept depression at bay.
I don't know what my next step is. I can take pain killers when i have to do something i know will be painful (driving, sitting & after 9 long months - surfing) & sleeping tablets when i have too many sleepless nights to catch up on. But as someone who rarely took drugs it gets me down & i don't want this to be the solution.

Everyone is different. Everybody's body is different. Get the full picture of your body & get an MRI. I think it's money well spent. It will not be a solution (as mentioned by another poster) but it will inform you & the professionals you go to.
And don't get too down by Googling your situation on the internet. I decided all the good news stories are never posted because the people are too busy enjoying their new lease of life to be on the internet!
Hopefully things will get better for all the not-so-great-back-story posters.