Resolved question:
Friday evening, after awakening from a nap, I had severe pain in the lower, left back. I was sick to
my stomach. I took Alka-Seltzer which calmed me and lessened the pain.
I had an adjustment Wednesday and EMS. I also did housework and unpacking, Thursday and
Friday, which involved bending throughout the day.
To lessen the pain, I have taken hot baths and used hot compresses. I am now only doing light
housework, no bending and stretching exercises.
The problems with the lower back have been going on for years, as a result of an auto accident.
If I'm not careful, I can easily strain that area and then I can't do anything. Sometimes I can feel
something move. Would this be a slipped disc?
What x-rays should I request and what specialist should I see, concerning this ongoing problem.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Orthopedic Surgeon
Hello and welcome to DoctorSpring. I have read your question with diligence.
The symptoms you have described, fit the diagnosis of sacro iliac dysfunction. Sacro iliac dysfunction manifests as pain at the joint of the sacrum and ilium bones of the pelvis (which is around the lower back). It can be due to multiple causes but in your case it seems to have got precipitated by the excessive bending and probably walking.
In case of disc prolapse/ slip disc, the patient will present with pain on coughing and sneezing movements, unlike your case, and the pain may radiate to the leg. The pain is usually a pricking or burning kind of pain. If there is associated narrowing of the spinal canal, than that pain also increases on walking and relieves on rest.
Your symptoms are that of sacro iliac dysfunction. You can avoid it by avoiding excessive and abnormal bending movements at your back.
Take a mild analgesic drug with a muscle relaxant. Or an OTC drug Ibuprofen will help.
Continue with the warm water baths/ compresses. Visit a physiotherapist for appropriate exercises that will help your condition.
In case you feel no improvement in 2 weeks, you can visit an Orthopedician. He will have to do a physical examination on you and based on the findings will tell you what X-Rays are required.
Feel free to follow up with any further queries.
Thanks
What should be the firmness of a mattress for my condition and can you recommend a physiotherapist in my area?
Hello,
The mattresses should be firm enough to support the normal curves of our spine. There should not be any dents in mattresses.
I am sorry about physiotherapist part because I am not aware about your area.
With best wishes.