Expert: Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 10/11/2007

Question
Hello, I'm hoping you can help me figure out what my pain might be.  I injured my back a few months ago(l1 l2 mild disc herniation) and I thought my staircase was aggravating it (numb front thigh, low backache, painful heal). So, I was using the railing sorta like parrellel bars to go up and down them.  I was trying to avoid using my right side leg, hip, knee. I weigh 145 and I am not that strong in the upper body.  Our stairs are really steep (old house) and they are about a nine inch drop with each one.  I was doing this a few days in a row and also several times a day.  I started off getting right rib pain, then it extended to my diaphragm area and mid back.  It is painful to even breath or sit for very long time and my mid back hurt when my husband touched it.  It has been 26 days now.  The pain was very intense for 2 1/2 weeks and now has lessen some.  My doctor thought it was gallbadder, etc.  CT normal, Ultrasound normal, xrays normal, lab work normal, endoscopic normal.  I've been
wearing a rib belt and it seems to help and I've been taking meds on/off (really don't like meds).  This pain feels like I've been punched in the stomach. Can any muscle pull make that much pain in the diaphragm area,
plus rib/back?  Thank you so much for your help.  Holly

P.S.  I've been less active, more bedrest for approx the last three months.  I was very anemic, plus back injury and then to follow the rib cage/diaphragm pain.  EVERY JOINT in my body seems to pop/or move like a crack.  Can joints become loose from too much bedrest/non-use? I'm afraid that I'll move wrong and pop something out of place.


Answer
Hi Holly,

The diagnosis is fairly easy given the complete history given by you. The doctor you saw just waisted a bunch of health care dollars at the expense of all of us due to his ignorance. If he bothered to listen to your mechanism of onset, he would have quickly realized you pulled a cartilaginous rib articulation. This produces the exact symptoms you complain of and takes forever to heal because of its poor blood supply. The rib belt was all you needed, that and continual icing as tolerated.

Hint: Take a wet/warm towel and wrap the ice pack with it and put it over the source of pain. Finding the spot can be difficult for a lay person, I recommend you see a Chiropractor to palpate the region and find the injury.

Flexion/Distraction is a well known, proven and documented cure for disc herniation and bulge. I strongly recommend you find a DC that has F/D tables and get it decompressed before it becomes fragmentated, ruptured  or sequestered.

Here is a link that describes the procedure, call around the local area and ask the various DC's if they have a F/D table. If they do, expect 50% relief in 2 weeks and complete cure in 4-6.


http://www.coxtechnic.com/FlashOpen2.swf

If you need assistance finding a competent physician, let me know and I will find you one in your area.


BTW: Relafin is the best medicine for soft tissue rib injuries. I don't know what he has you on, but it may be causing additional problems.

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin


Your very welcome! I'm glad I could help you so much Holly, you made my birthday that much better, actually it was on the 10th.:)

Call me tomorrow at 708-466-9994 and I will get you the care you need. Take care and God Bless!

Dr. Tim