Back Pain...any ideas why?

[fx]

Hey bvpv, you ever get your back fixed or find out what was going on? I have some back pain, but it doesnt really seem to be what you're describing. It's mainly just tight, and sore, so I stretch it a lot. If I push on a vertebrate that is pretty far down on my spine, it feels kinda bruised, but its only that one. Sound familiar or is that completely different from your thing?

[bvpv07]

Well, to put it the short way: No.

I finally got into an orthopaedist/sports medicine specialist about two weeks ago. Since I've had an unresolved foot injury (8 months after the pain started they figured that the left navicular was fractured, 3 months in a boot, 1 month of recovery, pain coming back and worse in the other foot, 1 month in a boot on the other foot because they guessed that it might be broken...16 months into it and two nonexistant seasons later I got a CT scan this morning), they've decided to conquer that problem before moving onto the back.

The back is still pretty painful. I can't arch very well at all (a bit of a concern considering the 12 years of gym that made it very flexible) and when I do even slightly there's significant pain. I thought that it was getting better a few weeks ago and so decided to do a few rope drills and just a couple short plant drills. That night I couldn't even stand or sit up straight without pain...so right now I'm just trying to focus on getting the upper body even stronger, cardio on a recumbent bike (ellipticals are my fave when I can't run...but it doesn't work with the feet in a boot...however, you can read a book on these ), and then doing some ab/core exercises that don't put any direct pressure on the back where it's painful.

I'll let you know what they say when they get to it.

Good luck and good health to you!

[SlickVT]

bvpv,

Thats got all the symptoms of a spondy (see Becca's post).

I had a bilateral spondy (both sides) of my L4, and suffered from the exact same symptoms that you are describing. Arching and erecting yourself hurt like hell and nothing helps.

If insurance allows, or if you can afford it or whatever, get a spec bone scan. It will literally light up the spots on your back with fractures.

Also, if you got X-rays from the side view of your back, look closely at your L4 and L5 and you should see something resembling the shape of a standing scotty dog. If that little guy looks anything like he is wearing a collar, that is a fracture.

Finally, from experience, if this is in fact what you have, all the core strength in the world won't dull the pain. Essentially with a spondy, you are broken in half, because the only bones keeping your lower body and upper body together are fractured.

I hope you do not have this, but I just wanted to throw out some info as a possibility.

Good luck.

[bvpv07]

Thanks for responding SlickVT.

It was weird because it was only after actually doing something that it hurt to be straight...right now it will just get a bit sore if I'm standing for a while. Would that also explain the pain from hollowing after arching or just bending down, grabbing around your ankles, and then kind of pulling up in a hollow (do you know what I mean?)?

I had the x-rays done, but the radiologists didn't see any fractures...?

[bvpv07]

oo wow, your story sounds so familiar, that is how I started before I was dianosed with ddd

aahh...I should have asked beforehand, but what does ddd stand for?

[rainbowgirl28]

I had the x-rays done, but the radiologists didn't see any fractures...?

X-rays are only going to show the more obvious things. Mine never showed on an x-ray either. I know with shin splints that are suspected stress fractures, they'll do an x-ray first, but they almost always end up needing to do a bone scan.

[vaultc]

Hi Sami,
Have you seen an orthopedist yet and if so did he/she order a MRI of that area? The pain you're describing sounds very similar to what I've delt with on and off for the last 3 years. My problem is a herniated disc (L5). My doctor, thank god for second opinons, stressed that I didn't need surgery, but PT and an epideral(?). Obviously every injury is differant, but that combination worked really well for me. I do have to maintain my core strength, it is now a lifestyle, but I do have a full range of motion again. I don't know if that info. will help, but the best of luck to you. You have my undying sympathy!!! Hang in there...it'll get better!

All the best,
Vaultc

[bvpv07]

Well, I'm going to consider this my personal injury thread...so here's an update:

Finally actually got to see the doctor today. (woohoo!) He looked at the bone scan that I had done of my feet a while back and pointed out that parts of both feet "lighted up." I've tried to go on moderate runs that are a combination of walk and run since the back was only getting worse with the elliptical and bike, and, sure as anything, the foot pain came back with a vengeance on both feet (really sharp shots of it when I land...but this time it's worse on the right foot, which I've only spent one month in a boot for, than the left foot, which has spent three months in a boot). The back, well, is constant pain now...no matter which way I sleep, I wake up and it's worse;I can't sit or stand straight up for an extended amount of time without bending forward a little to relieve the pain; and now trying out something new often means that I don't feel it while I'm doing it (unless it is a pronounced arch), but once I get home, I have trouble walking a few steps. I can deal with a lot of pain, but this seems ridiculous considering how I haven't done anything strenuous or really even vaulted for the past year and a half.

So...he noticed a difference on the right side of my L5, and once I get back from the family vacation I'm going in for an MRI of my right and left feet and my back, focusing on the lumbar region. I'm sure that my health insurance company just absolutely adores me.

Thanks for providing a place for me to rant in relative anonymity...I'll keep you guys updated in case someone out there wants to know just as much as I do the solution to this lovely health puzzle.

[vault3rb0y]

I hope everything works out for you.... im sure something will come along that wasnt discovered before... and it might take a little while but you will jump again. My pole vault coach separated his lower spine in college trying to pick up a mat without bending his knees. His doctors never totally fixed it and told him never to jump again... but he kept working.... trying to make it better and stronger... and now hes back up to his PR that he was at in college.

[rainbowgirl28]

Sami, have they ever done bloodwork on you? You are way too broken down for somebody who has tried so hard to take care of their body. It makes me wonder if you have some kind of weird vitamin or mineral deficiency, or something else going on. Since you are a vegetarian, it can be more challenging to get enough iron and calcium in your diet.

[bvpv07]

I had a full blood work-up done last year when I had an pneumonia but they thought that it might have been mono...no irregularities.

I take daily calcium supplements and a multi-vitamin, and I've been paying more attention to protein levels for the past three years.

It was a good idea...I just don't know what I'm doing wrong.

[rainbowgirl28]

Poor Sami Being in pain all the time sucks.

Does swimming hurt? That seems like maybe it would be one of the only things you could do to stay active right now that would not stress your bones.