Thouht I would pop on and say hi and also ask for some advice. Well just a quick update... around 2 years ago I had bad arm pain and neck pain in short I had a disc go at c5/6 and had adr around 1.5 years ago, around the same time my lower back started to hurt, I had scans, a disco and nerve root block and nothing showed up. well it all got worse around 7 months ago and my legs and hips started to hurt, my legs were heavy and I got a lot of muscle ache and cramps, my hips felt like they had a knive in them and popped / cracked a lot. I had a few cancelled appointments. Anyhow a few weeks ago I go an appointment through for facet injections in both sides of L5/S1.... 2 days after the injections I was almost pain free, before i had days where I could not walk more than 10 mins and could hardly wak up stairs. I am still almost pain free but my hips still crack a lot and at times I can not move my legs our as the hip joint feels like it is stuck, sometimes if I push on my leg it cracks and them my hip will rotate. Now my scan during the injections showed both sides are bad and on the left the space has gone... the radiologist said this is def the issue and will write to my surgeon.... A result after so long.... however I am concerned that this may not be the whole problem.. I find it hard to beleive the issue with the L5/S1 gap could cause my hips to hurt and crack and pop.... without doubt is it the cause of my lower back pain and leg cramps and pain... what do you think?

Hi,
I remember you talking about things cracking and popping right from day one, I wonder if some of this could be caused by a change in posture, you've got too much kyphosis and so too much lordosis following your surgery?

I wonder if there is a problem, if this is coming from your hips rather than your back? It's very unusual, although we all do get creaks and groans in our spines from time to time. I'd be interested to see what other cervical patients say with their experience
Best,
Alastair :D

its not the normal clicks and pops I get in most joints the hips are a very lund crunch and usually 2-3 crunches when i lift my leg up,

The person who did my injections said i will probably need a spacer put in to open up the gap which has gone. I did mention my hips and she said it can be a side effect but very rare it is linked... which is my fear that this is 2 seperate issues.

Your lumbar discography was OK so you say , could this be a pelvic thing?

Where is the gap to fill?

What and where was the "Spacer" to go?
:D

ok, non tech... my L5/S1 they showed me on each side there was no space hence my pain and said I would need a spacer put in each side. That to me explains my back pain and radiating pain into the legs but not the hips issues!

If there is no space between L5/S1, then you need an artificial disc putting in there maybe. I don't understand this without seeing the actual MRI scan or X Ray.

If what has happened at L5/S1 is what is called gas phenomena, then you've got bone rubbing bone and no disc there at all that is why the clicking sound happens
best,
Alastair :D

perhaps my bad explaining, its L5?S1 and the gap on each side, not in between, not sure what the bones are called on each side

Facet joints?


http://www.chirogeek.com/000_Disc_Anatomy.htm

yes the facet joints, it is the gap which has gone on one side and almost gone on the other side

Quite often injections can pacify facet joint irritations, also ADR can be a good substitute to keep facet joints in order. :P

They are very much an Enigma :angry:

I'm sure someone will have sorted out a plan B if the injections don't work
best,
Alastair :D

Thought I would post a quick update, well not sure what happened... 3 days ago i woke up in agony.. could not stand at all and had 2 days of pain which made me shake, it felt like I had broke my back. Well im more pain free now as I have been put on buprenorphine patches.. feeling very spaced out but at least i can walk again. Feeling like I am on melt down waiting to hear back from my surgeon!

Any ideas if you did anything to set it off? Sounds horrible.

Gosh that sounds nasty, hope things settle soon!

nothing at all, normal pain is around 5-6/10 sore back, legs and hips. woke up around 9/10 in agony.... ut I could feel the bones in the lower back rubbing and crunching against each other... the patch is working but I just feel drunk and out of it plus very tired. Hoping i wont be on these for long!

It sounds to me as if you have "Gas Phenomena" which is where the disc is replaced by gas and this doesn`t support the spine and you rub bone on bone?

Have you got any copies of your MRI scans or reports of them?
Best
Alastair :D

I dont have a copy, in short they used the scanner which gives a live view when they do the facet injections and on both sides the space had gone with the bones touching. Out of interest how do you get copies of scans, is there a formal process to get these from the hospital? I may have the chance to go via Bupa so geting scans may speed things up!

If its the NHS you can request a copy on a CD or BUPA usually charge £10

Its all about money :angry:

Well had a result since my last post, in short my employer offers BUPA cover which covers existing conditions. so I am booked into the Spire Bristol to see Mr Mike K.... and have my copy scans from the NHS on their way. Seeing mr Mike K on Jan 3rd

That's good news, not long to wait either.

It's a good start to the New Year :D

I hope so, just hope I get the scans out of the NHS before my appointment so we can get a plan of action at the meeting

:D
Hi Patriotspyke, that's good news about your appointment and being covered by BUPA too.

If you're having problems getting copies of your mri images you can always contact Mr K's secretary and tell her you have an appointment soon and ask if she could she make sure the mri's from your NHS hospital are available for the appointment.
Double check to make sure they've arrived before you appointment though.

Good luck with all this, hope you get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Best wishes

Lynda

Thanks, I have just paid for the scan copies and should have them in time!

Are consultants able to get scan copies from the NHS for private appointments? I though this would have breached the data protection act?

Consultants contract between the NHS and the private sector so I would think if you mentioned it to your consultant they would look at your NHS scans, I'm sure they can ask for them also. I know the private hospitals have a link between them all and they can download your x-rays and scans no matter where they are. I've experienced this with the BUPA hospitals on many occasions.
Good luck,
Alastair :D
PS if in doubt ask your consultant secretary or tell her that you have recent x-rays and scans at another hospital. If I had a pound for every person who turned up at a consultants and the x-rays and scans were not there I'd be a rich man :angry:

It is really good to hear that you have an appointment lined up. Fingers crossed for you!

got my scans but they dont look like the ones the radiologist showed me during the injections, the ones she showed me showed a clear issue with the Facet joint at L5/S1, perhaps just a different view?

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/7553117/
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/7553116/

ajj1001, thank for the email... didnt even spot that!!!!!

Hi there,

I'm pleased you got your scans in time for your appointment with the surgeon...is it Mr Katsimihas you see today? It will be interesting to know what is recommended for you and I look forward to your next update.

Please let us know information you gather such as which prosthesis he uses and how many surgeries he has undertaken....... Alastair may add him to the list of UK surgeons.

Best wishes

Lynda

;)

will do, I am just hoping that my scans show what he needs to know, when I had the Facet Joint injections the radiologist injected in left and right and took images of both sides, she showed me both sides and pointed out on both side where the space had gone, but left side was a lot worse (very clear to see). The images I have received dont seem clear at all. It is Mr K, I have met him before regarding my C5/6 ADR I had, he diagnosed me but could not operate as he had to leave the country for personal issues, he is a very nice chap... Will update later hopefully with a plan of action. I will be very interested to see how things are though the Spire vs NHS timewise.....

Well not a bad appointment looks like L5 s1 disc and also facet joints have issues, going back for an up to date mri today to get a clearer picture...

Did he comment on what options there were for you as you have facet issues too?

no I think he wanted an up to date scan before comitting... He was not sure if the pain is from the disc or the facet joints or both.... my guess is both as I have nerve pain down my legs, cramp in legs, pain in hips and back pain.

My last MRI was over a year ago so does not give a true picture.

The disc is herniated, and also has air inside... this with the facet joints I am not sure what they will do.. Also on my Xray they did yesterday I have scoliosis and it looks like the curve is worse then a scan I had 2 years ago.... not sure if this could be causing issues.

Cant wait to get a diagnosis and action

it'll be good to know what he thinks, spondy & facet arthrosis can be contraindicating factors for ADR. even if the pain isn't coming from the facets then it needs consideration.

Hi

Well managed to get my MRI through the spire today and have copies on CD, have to admit I cannot read them at all (unless I have a consultant looking over my shoulder)

Had my follow up, in short still need more tests. I have osteoarthritis l5 s1 disc is severe and my facet joints are bad. Surgeon wants more nerve root blocks and more facet injections before making more decisions. In next Tuesday for the needles

Hi there,

That's not too long to wait which is good ......although of course its not good that your lumbar spine is so bad. Hopefully the facet and nerve blocks will give you much relief and a plan for any further action can made.

Here's hoping that the injections clarify things and make the way ahead more obvious.

here is hoping, I have had nerve root and facet injecions before so not 100% clear why the need more but they are the ones with the answer so hopefully... had a bad experience last time with the nerve root injections as they hit my right nerve 3 times. Worst pain I have ever felt

Having just had injections yesterday, I send you my best wishes for a much better experience than you had last time, it's not nice when things are so very very painful
best,
Alastair :D

Hope you are feeling more comfortable after your injections and that they work for you in the future.

Gilly xxx