Hi, I'm new here. I found the site browsing the web to try to understand what's going on with me. I've been having intermittent back spasms and on/off pains in my upper, middle and lower back since January.
Finally I got an x-ray about 2 weeks ago. The radiologist and my family doctor both agreed it was a compression fracture at T11-T12. This was strange since I'm only in my early 30's, so my doctor ordered an MRI.
I had the MRI this morning and thank goodness I didn't have to wait long because my doctor called with the results this afternoon. The best news is there's nothing malignant causing it, but now he said there's no evidence of a fracture of any kind. I was so relieved to hear I didn't have bone cancer that I didn't think to ask how that was possible.
Instead, I have disk degeneration (from drying out) from T8-T11 but he seemed to be saying that I shouldn't be having as many problems as I've been having because there's no spinal compression, so I'm not sure what to think. Today was a good day, so I wonder if it might have showed cord compression if I had the MRI during a flare up?
Sometimes there's hardly any pain but fairly often it's intense and completely debilitating. I've been in bed a lot because laying down is the only thing that really helps and keeps it from flaring up again. The weird part is that in addition to the sharper throbbing in my midback (which you would expect), I also have random twinges, stabbing and pinching feelings in completely random places--sometimes my shoulder, my lower back, my butt, my side--and I also have a tons of popping, cracking and shifting in my whole spine, neck to tailbone. It's actually probably worst in my tailbone.
My doctor referred me to an orthopedist for follow-up, so that's hopeful. I'm just totally confused and wondered if any of you have any similar experiences or insights. The shifting and popping is the weirdest and most unexplained part for me in all this. Am I going crazy?
Thanks
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snapcracklepop
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All I can suggest is posture, if you do sports possibly that may cause this type of problem.
Back injuries in the young are quite common if you are slumping this may cause the complaint I suppose as the spine can be not fully formed and cause problems, although you should be ok by now,
Try and keep the spine straight when sitting keep neck straight and push the chin in this will prevent stresses from C to T. try for a time not twisting around to aggressive When lifting keep back straight, tuck in chin and lift with your legs, turn with your legs if moving weights keep back straight.
That is all I can suggest,
The doctor is the one who should keep you right, a great deal of back problems are caused when young many feel If we only knew now....... .
Are you in the States ? There are some very good chronic pain websites there too. My comment on this is that MRI and X ray sometimes pick up on different things though MRI is the gold standard. For some things an X ray is more revealing. The orthopod will be the best person to interpret your scans and then you can be advised and a treatment plan drawn up. All the best and try not to worry. Things heal, even if they sound drastic!
Do seek physical therapy! You have discs that are showing signs of 'overuse' so some physical therapy should be able to get your back working as a whole again relieving pressure in the thorax. Explore your breathing too as you may be 'holding' yourself stiff against the pain increasing tension in the thorax. There are lots of opening and stretching types of exercise/movements that a good physical therapist can show you. Don't put up with this pain tho try to find good quality help. Good luck
"Instead, I have disk degeneration (from drying out) from T8-T11 but he seemed to be saying that I shouldn't be having as many problems as I've been having because there's no spinal compression"
Consultants do not study feedback mechanisms. Something is happening the body is responding. You have a feedback loop. Something goes ouch. The attempts not to move the thing that is going ouch. The result you get more ouch.
You need someone who is good with there hands who can help the muscles untense. Muscles tense very easily and it can be very difficult for a tense muscle to untense.
It worth looking at that possibility. However as I cannot see what is happening I could be totally wrong.
Hi Snapcracklepop, Sorry you are in pain. I too have Thoracic pain.When you look at an anterior, posterior view of an X,ray of the spine it is very easy to see a compression fracture,so when they say there is no fracture on the MRI scan then i would question the reporting of the X Ray ? I have 3 discs indenting my spinal cord and have had Radio frequency neurotomy or ablation under X Ray control, the pain releif has not lasted very long. I go to the Pain Clinic soon. You should see a Muskulo Skeletal Specialist unless you live in the Edinburgh area, because there isn,t one. Sorry I havn,t any ideas about the noise other than vertebrae and discs rubbing together
Have you tried Lidocaine Patches on your back for the pain The Trade name is Versatis and it is a local anaesthetic patch, you wear for 12hrs at night
Thanks everyone for your insights. I'm seeing an orthopedist next Monday so hopefully I'll get some more clarity there. It's with a spine specialist. I'm in the U.S. so Edinburgh would be out of the question anyway!
The disc degeneration makes more sense the longer I think about it. If it was a fracture it seems like the pain would be more consistent of at least focused than it is. (I don't really know that, just a guess.) Nerve pain would make more sense, especially since disc degeneration causes micro-instability which might explain all the shifting and cracking I feel, which could shift pressure on and off nerves.
I've been using a very simple TENS unit for the past day and thankfully it's working really well--finally! My dr bumped me up from codeine to vicodin, but still the drugs hardly touched the pain, but this goofy little shocker thing is doing great. Do any of you use TENS too?
Hi snapcraclepop, Thank you for the reply. Where in the US are you? I have family in various places in the States. My sister is in Kentucky and lives near Fort Knox. I am pleased that the TENS machine is working for you. The medication in the UK has different names from the US so I think the Vicodin is similar to the codeine. but stronger
I am not too far from there, relatively speaking. I'm in Ohio just to the north of Kentucky. Vicodin is hydrocodone and paracetamol (called acetaminophen here). Here in the U.S. they tend to add paracetamol to all the narcotics to prevent people from abusing them. Before I was on codeine with paracetamol and that did absolutely nothing, and now I'm on the hydrocodone mix, which only does a tad more than nothing.
Does anyone have an opinion about heat and/or cold? I've heard heat is good and that it's bad for degenerated discs.
Hi Snapcraclepop, I have a heat pad that I put on my back.Heat makes the blood vessels dilate and increases the oxygenated blood to the part do that helps to releive the pain. A cold pack reduces the blood flow, but could also reduce any swelling, like in an injured ankle !!!, My theory!! Regards Moggiemay
i just seen a mri scan i had done for my chronic back pain in my lumber area which gives me a lot of bilaterial leg and foot nerve pain i was supprised to see this mentioned minor invagination of superior plate t11/12chronic osteoporotic fracture has to be considered what ever last bit means never been mentioned to me ha ha Hopefully your appointment at the orthopedist will be able to help you
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