MRI Results

Anyway, something that you might want to get clarification on: Your post indicates a pars defect but you later state that imaging might be warranted to see if there's a pars fracture (known as a spondylolysis). A pars defect or fracture easily shows up on xray and CT, with a fairly minimal amount of radiation exposure. If the exposure is the reason for waiting with imaging then I'm not sure I'm in agreement. Most PTs and chiropractors looking at this will ask, "Why haven't you tried rehab?" Typically, neutral spine and other flexion exercises should stabilize lumbar spondylolisthesis - and I would be reluctant to suggest that you have an ESI done before a trial of exercise rehabilitation. Many insurances require this trial first. There are several manipulative procedures, notably flexion/distraction manipulation, that can be of benefit if your condition fits the parameters. Epidural injections will certainly reduce tissue swelling and may well be of benefit. Professionally I've seen ESIs as a bit "hit or miss" in regard to overall success. However, I also haven't seen many side-effects and, therefore, a trial isn't a bad suggestion. Good luck with your recovery! Steve

This sounds lame, but I do the Pigeon Pose and it hit's the spot

Funny name... I don't know what that is, but if it works, it works.

The one leg King Pigeon Pose is less advanced (and painfull)

Steve, thanks for your response.  Just to fill in some of the gaps...I did do 3 months of PT with some success, less pain running down the leg but still did not take care of the butt pain.  I also have seen chiropractor, trained in A.R.T. again some success but no relief from the butt pain. He actually suggested the MRI to see what is exactly is going on.  While I was doing P.T. I totally stopped running.  Started back run/walking until I could run 3 miles.  Once I started adding s/b/r training the butt issues returned along with pain running down the leg.   So this is where I am.  I can swim and bike without pain, it's the run that is the issue. 

The Warrior One will help stretch the tight Psoas ....do a lunge ... lower back knee to the floor/pillow...then reach for the sky...palms together. Not enough!!  You can slide the front foot forward

Is the glute pain located:

At the top of the glute where it connects to the hip?
Or lower where the glute meets the thigh?

The pain is lower, where the glute meets the thigh and middle.  Also on the outside of the thigh.

Are you for sure its not a hamstring issue? The sciatic nerve runs through the hamstring insertion causing sciatic like symptoms.

Myself and a friend of mine were both misdiagnosed with piriformis / sciatica when it was proximal hamstring tendinopathy.

I am thinking it could be a hamstring issue.  Trying to get the right answers is not that easy!!  I am going to ask about proximal hamstring tendinopathy.  Who actually diagnosed this for you?  And how?

I sent you these tests about 6 months ago in another thread, but didnt hear back.

Do:

http://www.physsportsmed.com/figures.php?figures=89?figure=75


http://www.physsportsmed.com/figures.php?figures=89?figure=77

Do both tests and reply back if you have any pain.




Here is something you might find interesting. A case study that I will link at the bottom. A female elite runner comes in with the same symptoms as you. She had this injury for 2 years and it never improved. She goes to a doctor where her MRI shows that she has disc bulge / herniation.

The elite runner is then treated with an epideral injection that fixes her back pain, however, she still has buttox and hamstring pain. She then goes to doctor Michael Fredericson (who wrote the article) in Stanford. It is found that not only did she have the disc problem, but also had proximal hamstring tendinopathy.

She does 3 months of physical thearpy that focuses on eccentric hamstring exercises and core stabilization. After those 3 months she returns to running pain free.


Now for my self, I went to FOUR pts that did nothing. I cant stress enough that you have to go to a physical thearpist who knows how to do the ECCENTRIC strengthening of the hamstring. This is the only proven treatment for long standing tendinosis injuries.

All the orthos I went to said the same thing, "Well if it was a hamstring tendinitis it would have gone away by 6 months of rest". Completely wrong, these orthos knew nothing of this injury. I then to Dr. Garten at Atlanta Sports Medicine who diagnosed and treated the issue correctly. After 3 months it was fixed.

Great article: http://www.agilept.com/downloads/high-hamstring-tendinopathy-in-runners.pdf

Hello, one of my previous posts must've fallen off the face of the BT forum

A year is a long time for an injury to persist.  Here's a link to an article at Runner's World site which you might find interesting.  It's a bit of a long read, but might be worth the time invested if it helps you.

http://runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--13237-0,00.html

Best,

Enrique

Edited by ecpasos 2010-09-17 8:31 PM

Bani, there's no need to be rude. I'm just putting out other options for her. Just because TMS happens to only a low percentage of people doesn't mean it's not happening to Wildred. She ought to be able to research all her options. I think you would agree with that.Respectfully,Enrique

wildred - I have a grade 2 (50%) spondylolisthesis at L5/S1, with bilateral pars defect, and severe disk degeneration.  At one point, I also had severe bilateral foraminal stenosis which caused excruciating pain in my lower right leg.  However, that problem has since been resolved primarily with using my home inversion table daily.  I still have the back pain, though...and I also still have the butt/hamstring issue as well.  And like you, it is the running that seems to exacerbate everything.  I have tried PT without any success.  But I have not tried the epidural injections...and I probably won't based on much of the research that I have done on it.  For Spondy, it seems as though ESI's don't really do much.  I simply can't see myself spending the money on it, if the odds are pretty slim that it will work.  So I guess I can't really help you much with that.  However, I can definitely say that exercise is my "saving grace"...because nothing makes my back feel better than moving around.  The moment I sit or lay down for any great length of time (such as sleeping at night)...I will undoubtedly wake up with a stiff and sore back that makes me feel as if I'm a 100 years old.  NOT fun!  I literally have to do 20 minutes of stretches in my bed, before I can even stand up straight in the morning.  And just in case you or anyone else is wondering...no, I will not consider surgery.  I have seen both a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic back specialist...and neither one was willing to give me any kind of guarantee that I would be pain-free after surgery (in my case, a fusion and laminectomy).  I'm not willing to go through major back surgery not to mention the long, and painful recovery if there is even a chance that I will be worse off than before having the surgery.  

So, for now I just manage my pain by knowing my limits and listening to my body.  My back will let me know what I can and cannot do, on any given day.  I wish you best and hope you find the answers that you're looking for.  

Linda


 

nscrbug...glad to see your still in the game....ever try sleeping on your stomach on a pillow with toes off the end of the bed.

Thanks to all for the responses.  I appreciate everyone's comments.  I am looking into everyone's suggestions. 

Linda - I believe you and I share a lot of the same issues.  I agree, I feel better when active.  I just wish I could run without issues.  I guess I should be happy that I can bike and swim without pain.  I also, at this point am not interested in surgery.  My pain level is not at that point.  I relate my pain to more of a nagging always there type of pain.  Training this summer was limited and you are right I have to listen to my body and adjust accordingly. 

socks -  My orthopedic doc is leaning towards sending me to a spine specialist however he thought I was a good candidate for the injections.  My PCP and the pain specialist also feel I should expect good results from the injections.  So I am leaning towards trying the injections.  I understand I might not get the relief I am looking for.  My ortho says if this does not work than we need to look further.

bani - I have not ruled out the hamstring issue and am still looking into that, thanks for the articles.  I did try the exercise/test you sent and I do not have pain when doing them.  I do have hamstring type issues  when walking or climbing up hill and when bending over.

Enrique - I appreciate your message also.  I do believe that stress can play a huge roll in ones physical health.  However, I am fortunate enough to live a pretty stress free life.  I have had a good life, health wise, and personal life have been all a person could ask for.  Thank you for sharing your articles.

So now my decision, since I have had butt pain and sciatic issues for 14 months I am going to try the injections.  I will keep you all posted.  Thanks again!