Hi,sorry to know it.

It seems that you have been suffering from soft tissue inflammation due to your injured,which can lead to symptoms that you said.

Keep moving and a lot of walking can help.
If pain is constant,try acupuncture !
Good luck!

Zak Han - Thank you for your reply. Is pain that extends into the leg soft tissue related. Could it be any damage to a disc or would the pain be a sharp shooting type pain? Also would it hurt more when I move in certain ways if it is disc related?
Thanks very much for any help.

I don't want to be an alarmist here, but I've had a lot of experience with lower back pain and it is nothing to take lightly. Yes, it may just be a strain or muscle-related, but at your age, you need to visit a physician to make sure that it is not a disc-related problem.

An MRI can probably tell you pretty quickly whether there is any long-term damage to your discs and/or any nerve involvement. It's better to be safe than sorry. Your doctor may want to refer you to a back specialist if the MRI shows any serious injury or condition.

thanks lonestarguy, if the pain persists does a PCP order the MRI or will a back specialist do that? Also if a doctor doesn' think you need an MRI do you just hope for improvement in time or?

Is pain that extends into the leg soft tissue related.

Yes,It is. it's conductible pain.

Could it be any damage to a disc

No,normally not

would the pain be a sharp shooting type pain?

Yes,possibly.

Also would it hurt more when I move in certain ways if it is disc related?

Both disc related and tissue injure have similar symptoms,but ,I don't think you have been suffering from disc injuries.it probably is time to consult with a physician. You can start with your primary care physician, who can help you determine your next step or who you need to see

Take care!

Either can order the MRI, but I would start with your own doctor first to see how you proceed. It could be a minor muscular problem that will improve with time. Best to start there.

If the doctor thinks you don't need ther MRI, ask for a referral to a pain specialist physician specializing in back pain.

Hello Alohatoall,

I fully agree with Lonestarguy. Definitely get that MRI, and preferrably under the direction of a spinal surgeon. Pardon me, but PCPs are good for physicals and if you have a cold or flu, but in my opinion that's about it.

Stay in touch and let us know how things go.

Hello Guy! Nice to see you are still on the forum.

RichT

The MRI shows 2-3 mm disc bulge but no "visible" nerve impingement. Is this bulge significant? This and another disc are narrowing. I'm still in pain. Also I'm going to physical therapy soon. Could the bulge be causing my pain? Does PT help bulging and narrowin discs?
Thanks for the help.

this is the disease affecting humanity at some age depending upon individual food and exercise habits. I find that there is no medicine avilable to cure this disease. may be human systems is not designed for this modern activities which we are used. The best cure may be rest and eat good food , reduce weight, do meditation. it may give relief.

Thank you narayanan for your insight. Any further help with my question from others would be greatly appreciated.

Massage and chiropractor service may be needed.
Meanwhile, you may treat the pain with heat packs. I personally prefer natural herbal hot packs, instead of gel packs.

With due respect Tomato, spinal issues in my opinion are best addressed by a medically trained spinal doctor, one with MD in back of his/her name. Not by trying to play doctor yourself.

RichT

If you have a problem with a disc, it's a good bet that chiropractic manipulation will make things far worse than they already are.

Massage isn't going to help either, unless it is done with an ultrasound machine and a well trained physical therapist.

The bulging disc may or may not be causing your pain and the interpretation of "no visible nerve impingement" is just an opinion by whoever read it.
In other words, this person did not see any problem with the nerves, but it is quite possible that someone else would.

I had that happen when getting other opinions before my spinal surgery in 2006. 2 other spine surgeons told me there was nothing wrong and no nerve problems being compressed.
So much for their opinions, as 12 hours before my spinal decompression, the nerves where so badly compressed I lost total bladder control. I regained full control within 2 hours after the surgery.

Physical therapy may give you some relief, as it would help to strengthen your core muscles and help you to stand properly, move properly and give you exercises to continue with.

You made no mention as to who ordered the MRI, who read it and who gave you the orders for PT as well.

What you do need is an evaluation with a well qualified spinal surgeon. If you have already seen one, that is good. Give the PT a try and if that doesn't work, you will need to be further evaluated by either the spine surgeon you are seeing or with one then.

If it is suggested that you should have spinal surgery, please, please get several other opinions before making that decision.

In the meantime, you might want to try moist heat to help ease some of your pain.

A simple way to make a nice moist heat pad is the old "rice sock."

Fill a long cotton tube sock with the cheapest white rice you can find in the store. DO NOT USE INSTANT RICE.
Fill the sock between half and 2/3 full of the rice and then tie a not in the open end.

Place in microwave and heat on high for about 90 seconds. Take out of the microwave and lay flat on a hand towel. spread the rice out the length of the sock and wrap in the hand towel and place where your pain is. If the rice sock is to hot for you, let it cool a bit and then place where your pain is.

But please, stay away from chiropractors, message unless it is with a trained physical therapist and acupuncture. Follow the docs directions and the physical therapist.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

Fran