Spinal damage symptoms: red flags and management?

jamesmon2021
jamesmon2021 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited December 2021 in Neurological impairments and pain
Well hurt my back in may 2020 doctors said it was a lumbar strain then got an mri 2 months later and found disc bulge with protrusions at L5 S1 but workers comp doctor said not work related so got a lawyer but went from may 2020 till September 2021 being treated as a strain. In September workers comp changed it to disc bulge with protrusions so im afraid theres permanent damage due to that but currently waiting to see a spine doctor. Is there any symptoms i should be worried about or that are ared flag and what can i do to ease the pain

Comments

  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hi @jamesmon2021 and welcome to the community. I'm sorry to hear about what you've been going through. To help with your query I've moved it to our 'Chronic pain and pain management' category and edited the title a little.

    Hopefully any members with experience can help advise you, and if you have any other queries please do let us know.

    Alex 
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,757 Championing
    Hi @jamesmon2021 - & welcome to the community. I'm sorry for what you've experienced with hurting your back. As a long-retired physio, I wonder if you've been offered physio in the meanwhile, or whether you're now just waiting to see what your specialist recommends?
    There are some very gentle positions that you may find helpful (sleeping with a pillow between your legs can also help), & again, very gentle exercises you might like to try in the following video. As stated, please stop if these cause you any pain. A bulging disc is also sometimes referred to as herniated, so please scroll down to the 2nd video for 'herniated discs.'  Please see: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercises-sciatica-problems/
    There's a very rare condition called Cauda Equina Syndrome, & the only one that would bring up any 'red flags,' which are listed here if again you scroll down: https://caudaequinauk.org.uk/cauda-equina-syndrome/
  • Daniel_2021
    Daniel_2021 Online Community Member Posts: 79 Contributor
    Hi,
    The person above has mentioned CES, I've had this and suffer the after affects still.
    Basically if you lose the use of your bladder or bowel they are red flag symptoms. From a bladder perspective this can also include retaining urine now only voiding.
    Have a look at the above link as it's really good.
    Thanks,
    Daniel 
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,757 Championing
    Thank you for your perspective @Daniel_2021 - & btw great to see you offering help again. As you may remember I'm a long-retired physio, & had found this link by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy hopefully useful as regards Cauda Equina Syndrome for patients: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rRq5QqoK3o

  • Daniel_2021
    Daniel_2021 Online Community Member Posts: 79 Contributor
    Hi @chiarieds, thank you that's lovely of you to say and notice. 
    My health continues to decline so i'm just not able to get into a routine with anything which has then impacted my mental health, i've been reading messages on here but just not been able to offer any responses.
    I hope you are well,
    Daniel

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,757 Championing
    Hi @Daniel_2021 - I'm sorry to read your health isn't so good. I'm OK, thank you, just recovering from the booster jab I had on Sunday. I hope despite it all you manage to have a lovely Christmas, & my very best wishes for a better New Year, Daniel.

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