Radiculopathy Part 1

March 18, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.  
Filed under Back Pain

Caller: I have had an injury in my lower back since 1985, surgery has been recommended and strong medications have been recommended. I have been told that I needed spinal fusion. My MRI indicated I had a slippage in the vertebrae (Spondylolisthesis).

Dr. Darrow: That doesn’t necessarily mean you need surgery.MRI Back Pain Radiculopathy Part 1

Caller: They found an arthritic condition.

Dr. Darrow: That doesn’t necessarily mean you need surgery.

Caller: And they found that I had Bulging Discs.

Dr. Darrow: That doesn’t necessarily mean you need surgery. Do you have pain down your legs?

Caller: Yes, radiating down both legs.

Dr. Darrow: Okay, that is an indication that a surgery may help you although I am not telling you to have a surgery or not. Here is the confusing part.

Pain that radiates down the legs is called a radiculopathy, pain that is referred down your legs by a nerve being pressed on by a bulging or herniated disc. Often I find that the radiating pain is not because of radiculopathy or pinched nerve but because of a ligament that is loose or injured because ligaments refer pain the same way. Before surgery explore conservative methods including Prolotherapy to see if its the ligaments.

Written by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.

To Learn More Call 1-800-REHAB10. As one of the leading prolotherapy practicioners, Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D. developed the Prolotherapy Institute to educate patients, their caregivers and the medical community about the benefits of Prolotherapy. Dr. Marc Darrow is a Board Certified Physiatrist specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, where he trained, and teaches Prolotherapy to the doctors in their residency training.

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Prolotherapy, PRP, AGE MANAGEMENT MEDICINE, and other modalities mentioned are medical techniques that may not be considered mainstream. As with any medical TREATMENT, results will vary among individuals, and there is no implication that you will HEAL OR receive the same outcome as patients herein. there could be pain or substantial risks involved. These concerns should be discussed with your health care provider prior to any treatment so that you have proper informed consent and understand that there are no guarantees to healing.
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