“I’ve Got A Disc Injury In My Back…”

“I recently had an MRI and I’ve Got A Lumbar Disc Herniation and Some Arthritis. Can You Help Me?”

“I’ve been having back pain that radiates into my leg. I’ve tried taking different medicines, getting injections, and physical therapy. The surgeon said there’s nothing else that can be done conservatively so he’s recommending surgery.”

An MRI can show certain things. It doesn’t show other things well or at all.

An MRI is good at looking at discs for example, but is not good at looking at the small spinal ligaments, spinal joints, and cartilage that lines those small joints.

Another problem is that it’s just a picture in a static position. It does not tell me or anyone else what is causing your pain even though it can provide clues.

Of course if the MRI shows a disc herniation (or some other finding) that corresponds to the physical exam and and the symptoms – then it may help identify the problem… BUT it’s only when it’s put into the context of everything else.

It’s impossible for any doctor of any type to diagnose the exact source of pain in someone from only looking at an MRI.

An MRI can be an important piece of the puzzle. It is a good imaging test to look at discs for example. The MRI is one test though. It’s still a static picture that doesn’t show function (or really dysfunction). It’s just one piece of the puzzle.

There are many other things that could be causing pain in the back (or neck).

An MRI by itself can not tell enough about what is going on.

People can have back pain with a disc herniation that is not the primary source of their pain. In fact, large studies have found that about half the people with disc herniations in the low back have no low back pain.

“Arthritis” is the same in that a huge number of people have various forms of degenerative changes with no symptoms at all. What is commonly referred to as arthritis might help explain why someone suffered greater injuries in a motor vehicle collision or other trauma for example.

Again the one finding of arthritis does not mean anything by itself without the rest of the facts including the exam, other findings/testing, and symptoms.

Of course, a recent traumatic disc herniation like a car crash will cause back pain. Often though, this will not be the only injury in the area and very often not be the only source of pain.

The reality is that the source of back pain depends… it might be the disc herniation, something else, or a combination of things causing the pain.

In order to understand what is causing a person’s symptoms, it’s also critically important to do an exam and go over some questions about the individual’s history to identify what is causing the pain.

OK but if it’s a disc herniation and arthritis, is there anything a chiropractor can do to help?

This is exactly what I help people with virtually every day as a chiropractor and the vast majority of the people improve and get better.

Medical treatment for back pain generally includes pain relievers including more commonly now gabapentoin/pregabalin, muscle relaxers, steroids, injections, and surgery. These can temporarily help the symptoms but can’t change the physical problem which causes most back pain.

These medications are probably not the best option for you and why you continue having back pain. It’s because back pain is a physical problem and responds best to physical treatment.

Since you live in Texarkana, I would consider coming in to Hagebusch Chiropractic Texarkana so I can see what is causing the pain and then help you get it better.

There’s no need to continue suffering day after day without seeing a chiropractor that understands these types of problems. It’s very likely you can improve your pain and get back to doing many of the things you want to do in your day to day life and activities.