Thanks, Fran, for your response. It is encouraging to hear that it is not just my perception that something is lacking in the care, and that I am not hallucinating.
It has been quite frustrating, because the doctors seem to treat everyone like a complete fool. I explain to them that I am also a registered EMT, and am familiar with anatomy, mechanics of trauma injuries, and related symptoms. They may respond in a little more detailed fashion, but still brush off my technical questions. Since the collision, I have done extensive online research regarding my injuries, and it seems that I have not yet found a doctor familiar with the specific mechanics of spinal disc trauma injuries.
This is a complicated case, as we originally pursued it as a worker's comp case, but were denied. I was on my way to work for an overtime shift (in fact was preparing to turn into the station when I was hit), and case law supports that situation as being covered as an on-duty incident. So far, they have denied the claim, on the basis that normal "coming and going" is not covered. I do have an attorney, and we are fighting this.
I also have a personal injury attorney, and I did see two outside doctors. However, the first one I was referred to was only a sports ortho, and after two months declared me healthy, telling me there was no reason he could see why I would still be experiencing any pain, tingling, or burning. Needless to say, I ceased treatment with him that day. The second seemed more interested in just collecting the insurance check, as he never spent more than 5 minutes in the room with me.
I returned to my health care (Kaiser), at the advice of my attorney, since the fool that hit me had basic liability insurance only ($15k), and in case the WC case does not get picked up, we did not want to exceed what the insurances would cover. There is an outside specialist (Dr. Moldawer, of SCOI) that I would like to see, but he does not work on a personal injury lien, so I will have to wait until the WC takes over.
Through Kaiser, I had an EMG study, which showed no extremity nerve damage. I was referred to a neurosurgeon, who reviewed my MRI with me, and told me "there are a lot people walking around with black discs." When I asked him to explain the paresthesia and sciatica, he said he couldn't. I directly asked him about the mechanics of the tears, the nucleus pulposas leaking through the annulus and irritating the innervated outer layer of the annulus and the surrounding tissues. He dodged the question and said that I had probably just torn a few nerves, and that it would just take time. This appt. was last month, 9 months after the collision.
I saw a neurologist, who agreed I had some legitimate symptoms, and he referred me to a spinal surgeon. I had my appt. with the surgeon yesterday. He would not discuss all of the levels of disc injury in one appt., and said to pick the one that hurt the most. I told him the lower spine hurt the most, but that the extremity symptoms were equal in both arms and legs. He brushed this aside and said he would only review the lower spine. He told me that I was not a surgical candidate, that they did not do surgery unless the nerves were being compressed, and my L4/5 bulge was "tiny". I asked him the same question regarding the tear, and he also brushed it off. He said there may be just inflammation of the spinal nerves, and prescribed a 6 day steroid treatment with Medrol.
I am willing to try this, however, I believe that diagnosis to be incomplete as well. If nerve inflammation was the only cause of my symptoms, then one could expect them to remain constant, and to not be suddenly, temporarily, increased when I turn or bend the wrong way.
As for the MRIs here is what the reports said:
"At C4-C5, mild anterior intervertebral disc space narrowing is present. Diffuse disc-osteophyte complex flattens the thecal sac, but does not result in central stenosis. Linear T2 hyperintensity is present within the posterior aspect of the annulus. No neural foraminal narrowing is present. Impression-Mild degenerative disc at C4-C5, with possible annular fissure."
"The L4-L5 disc does show loss of T2 signal without disc dessication. There is a very faint linear band of T2 hyperintensity in the posterior inferior annulus compatible with small annular tear but no associated disc protrustion identified. No spinal or forminal stenosis is seen. Impression-Mild disc dessication and very small posterior inferior annular tear at L4-L5."
Sorry to vent for so long, but I would like to find answers that will lead to recovery, and a return to my career, family, and active lifestyle.
