Expert: Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 7/22/2007

Question
I made a very slight tripping movement last week.  On doing so, I had an excruciating pain in my lower back.  By the next morning, I could hardly get out of bed.  As instructed by my primary care physician, I went to the ER.  They x-rayed my left hip, where the pain had localized, said they saw no skeletal damage and sent me home with an anti-inflammatory and pain pills.  Since, I have no back pain, but the 1st 3 toes on my left foot are numb, as is the outside of my left calf.  I talked with my primary care physician, who is sending me for an MRI this Tuesday.  My question, should I stay off my feet or keep going as long as I am in no pain.  THANK YOU!!!!

Answer
Hi Becky,

It sounds like your physician is on the ball. I would recommend you take it easy, this includes doing everything you normally do except lifting anything heavy. Stretch your knees to your chest 10-20X each side before getting into bed and getting out of bed, this will help a disc.

Ice down anything that hurts, avoid heat because this will make red, hot, swollen and irritated tissues worse.

If the MRI is positive for a disc, let me know and I will find you a competent physician that utilizes flexion/distraction in their practices. This is the "Gold Standard" for nonsurgical decompression of herniated discs.

Avoid sitting or standing in one place for more than 15 minutes, this puts a lot of stress on the low back. Laying in the fetal position with your knees flexed should relive any recurrent symptoms. Taking the OTC supplement, glucosamine sulfate with MSM, is good for connective tissue; both for repair and preventing injury. This should be taken at the proven therapeutic dose of 3000/mg/day.

If/when you get the results, let me know and I will personally find someone qualified in your area.

Good Luck!
Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com