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Original poster

DH severe back pain

11 replies

Rojak · 29/03/2006 16:51

Wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience?

DH has hurt his back really badly (has been going on for 2 weeks). First week he was on his back and couldn't move, had 2 emergency appointments with the osteopath, along with various painkillers and muscle relaxants.

He is back on his feet but walking funny and has difficulty with lifting the kids, doesn't help that he has to send DD (18 months) to nursery so lifting in and out of car seat.

He went to his GP who didn't even look or feel his back.

Osteopath has suggested perhaps an MRI scan might help. We don't have private insurance and the scan is £400.

What does the MRI do? If it pinpoints a problem, will he have to go back to his GP? All the GP seems to do is prescribe painkillers!

He has also been going to a physio since December as this is a recurring problem.

Any advice or similar experiences would be useful. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rojak · 29/03/2006 16:51

Sorry - physio has also said he has a prolapsed disc.

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 29/03/2006 16:55

2 weeks is not very long I would wait at least 6 before thinking about spending money on an MRI. Also get a referral from your GP you never know it may not be that long.

\link{http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/27000885\this may help}

CountessDracula · 29/03/2006 16:56

Sorry meant to say dh gets this it takes 6 weeks to fully recover.

SoupDragon · 29/03/2006 17:04

2 weeks is definitely not long. And he shouldn't be lifting your DD at all really. I had to train DS1 to climb in and out of his own seat at about 16 months when I put my back out.

2 osteopath appointments doesn't seem many either. I had about 5 the first time ad 10 the last time I did my back (but we did have health insurance so it wasn't an issue)

SoupDragon · 29/03/2006 17:05

He needs to think about his posture all the time too. Pulling in all his stomach muscles and pelvic floor when doing anything will help too (all support the back.)

CountessDracula · 29/03/2006 17:23

Pilates would help too

Chapsmum · 29/03/2006 18:00

What I would say having had some very interesting conversations with a pain specialist, is to make sure he takes the pain killers regularly and not just when he is sore. The way pain works is that a nerve will be triggered to fire either by injury or in this case a prolaspsed disk. The nerve will continue to fire if the cause of pain is not removed, the pain will increase in intesity even if the cause of the pain stays the same and does not get worse, this is why regualr pain relief coupled with the physio posture and other suggestions are important.
Poor soul, theres nothing worse than a man with a sore back! I also reccomened that you take some paracetamol for the sore head he will be giving you!!

sarahinphuket · 30/03/2006 09:41

Does he have any numbness/weakness/pain in his leg?

I have recently had surgery to remove a herniated disc (is that the same as a prolapsed diesc?)from my back - mind you I'm in Thailand and they whip things out very quickly here, especially if insurance is paying. I had an MRI and it is quite amazing what it shows. The disc had broken and was compressing the nerve root which is why I had pain/weakness/numbness in my leg.

I couldn't move with the pain and a couple of days after it happened I lost the function of my left leg - I couldn't lift it up or move my foot properly.

Your DH shouldn't be lifting anything at all, and he should really concentrate on his posture. Also no bending forwards - he should bend using his knees. When he gets in and out of bed he should sit down on the side of the bed first, then lean sideways, putting his feet up on the bed first. Then roll onto his back - a bit like a log rolling, with his hip and shoulder rolling at the same time (does that make any sense). When he gets out of bed he should roll over onto his side, then put his feet down first. Basically any movements that twist the spine are not good.

A couple of my other discs are mildly herniated and the doctor has basically said that i have to be very careful. I have had to learn to 'manage my back'.

sarahinphuket · 30/03/2006 09:43

sorry I meant to add
My doctor didn't look at or feel my back either - he just looked at the extent to which he could lift my legs (straight) when I was lying down before it caused pain.

Since my surgery he hasn't looked at my back either but he says that the fact that I can now lift both legs more than 60 degrees without any pain shows that the problem in my back has been fixed

Original poster
Rojak · 30/03/2006 09:59

Thanks for all your replies. Yes his back ache is giving me a head ache Grin - I'm trying to be sympathetic but when I'm left with much of the work, it's hard not to feel resentful.

Sarah - the only time he has a pain in his leg is when he has been sitting, say in the car, for a prolonged period (1 hour!)

But he is up walking with a most ungainly gait (kind of lopsided because he can't seem to straighten up!).

OP posts:
sarahinphuket · 30/03/2006 10:17

Rojak
If it hurts when he stands up after sitting for a long time, that means he shouldn't be sitting for so long! That's what my doctor has told me. Tell him to try putting a small pillow or a rolled up towel in the small of his back when he has to sit, even when he is driving the car.

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