Chiropractors/Hip pain

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Expert: - 4/13/2011


Question
Thank you first of all for taking time to read this. I had herniated two disc in my lower back( says a MRI )18 months ago shoveling snow which caused pain in my right lower back and numbness down my right leg. Had a epidal shot after PT and felt a lot better. 5 months later I developed a pain in my right hip. It felt like a nerve pain and would get worse as the day went on. The back doctor of course said surgery to trim disc enough to relieve pressure on nerve. I didn't like that answer so I went to a chiropractor with a decompression table for 6 weeks, 3 times a week. Back pain was gone but did not touch the buttock pain. Now its been two years of discomfort and walking or standing for more than 10 minutes makes things from bad to worse. When its really bad the right leg aches bad. Been through weeks of PT and had one trainer tell me that some of the problem is because I have a issue with my calf muscles being tight, which is true. Heat on the calves seems to help, but at this point my mind will believe anything. I am a carpenter and am lifting, bending and on my feet all day. Unlike sciatica that I have read, it does not hurt to sit down for long periods of time. Any help would be great, Thank You

Answer
Jason,

You need someone to do the "Prone Instability Test" on you.  The PIT can be viewed on line via google search.  If you have a positive test, then you need to do stability exercises.  If you have instability, then nothing is going to work until you get stabilize yourself, or get surgery to stabilize the "loose" vertebra joint.  This is one possibility as to why you still have pain.  The problem is not your calf.   Your brain thinks it is, but it's not (get a new PT).  You likely have an unstable joint or internally deranged and unstable disc (or both).  
Let me know if you need more info.

Dr. G

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Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP

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21 Years in practice: I can answer any question regarding chiropractic and sports medicine treatment. Mostly, I can help the unknowing public understand what is safe, valid, reasonable and evidence-based, and what kinds of unscrupulous chiropractors and fraudulent methods to stay away from. I have an advanced specialty degree in Chiropractic Sports Medicine. I have experience treating elite and Olympic athletes.

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