Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 6/7/2007

Question
I had a car accident where my suv flipped over a guard rail on the interstate and fell 30 feet and crashed into the ground on the drivers side. I didn't have any broken bones however since that time I hd been out of work with extreme low back pain,leg, buttock and hip pain. I alsoi have short term memory loss and I occassionally get severe headaches. I have been in physical therapy for 4 months and have taken pain meds and muscle relaxers. I recently had an MRI that showed a disk bulge in the L5-S1 however the Dr. said that this is because of my age (43) and couldn't be the cause of the pain. Before the fall I had no back problems and excercised regularly, this has interferred with my life all physical activity has almost completely stopped due to the pain. Sitting causes me the most problems. Well I recently returned to work because I had to and since returning to a job where I sit 95% of the day I walk so slow I now use a cane and occassionally can not get out of bed to go to work due to the leg numbness and pain. As I said I have seen several doctors and I am very frustrated I would appreciate any insight that you can give me. Thank You.

Answer
Dear Andrea,

I can't believe that your doctor told you that your back, buttock and hip pain could not be caused from the bulging disk.  He sounds like a moron as it is common knowledge that disc pain can be in the low back, hips, buttock, and the legs.  Even though you might be neurologically intact as far as your reflexes are concerned, the motor function of the legs can be effected by nerve root inflammation/irritation and encroachment from the disk or associated structures.  Not to mention leg numbness is also a presentation of disks bulging and creating problems in sensation along the nerve roots.

Follow the link below to read more about bulging disks:

http://www.suncoasthealthcare.net/chiropracticinformation/discherniation.html

Andrea, I think you may want to get a second opinion from another doctor.  One who understands his anatomy better, or one who has advanced training in physical rehabilitation or car crash injuries.  I would also suggest that you try a chiropractic physician as our approach to patient care is often different than the traditional medical approach of drugs, physical therapy, then surgery or pain management.

You should also check out a website from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego:  www.srisd.com   for more information on car crash trauma and doctors who have been certified and educated on the particular injuries created from crashes.  Another source of good information would be The Spinal Injury Foundation:  www.spinalinjuryfoundation.org

Good Luck Andrea, and feel free to write back with any additional comments or questions.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare

Here is another problem...sitting has been proven through clinical research to be the most difficult posture for the disks in the low back.  It places increased stress on the disks, more than standing or walking does.  Therefore, your current job actually places your disk under more stress and strain.