My son has incurred a large amount of debt from doctor visits, testing and treatment. He has seen neurologists, orthopedic specialists, pain specialists and chiropractors. He has tried acupuncture, exercise, prednisone, Oxycontin, Percocet, injections into his spine, and others. The narcotics helped the most but he does not want to be on them again because they caused severe withdrawal symptoms which he does not want to go through again.

None of his physicians have given him any hope. He has spinal stenosis, calcification of the thoracic region and bulging discs at L4 and L5. He has numbness in parts of the legs and the soles of his feet. He cannot sit for more than 20 minutes without pain. Even the slight bending caused by shaving or brushing his teeth is agony for him. Oddly, however, bending so far as to touch his toes is not painful. He doctors say he is not a candidate for surgery but don’t give him any reason or alternative options.

I have heard about a new procedure that involves injecting pig fat into the areas, but don’t know much about it. It breaks my heart to see my son in so much pain all the time. I hope you can help him or point us in the right direction.

DEAR READER:
Your son appears to have run the gamut on non-surgical treatment for his pain. Based on your note, he obviously has nerve involvement, likely caused by the bulging discs. This is what is causing the numbness of his legs and feet. Slight bending such as that you mentioned is probably causing the discs to move further out of place causing worsened pain. He may be experiencing relief by touching his toes but the vertebrae are being pulled apart allowing the discs to then slip back into their proper place.

You say your son is not a surgical candidate but has been given no reason why. I urge him to speak to his physician about this or to seek out an orthopedic or spinal surgeon who can review his chart and tests. This is your son’s best bet as to a definitive answer about surgical repair. The surgeon may even be able to offer suggests for minimally invasive surgical procedures or non-surgical treatment options that may benefit your son.

As for the pig fat injections, I am unaware of any new procedure but cannot imagine how this would help him.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Managing Chronic Pain”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

I am a 57-year-old female.

DEAR READER:
According to the report you sent me, the MRI impression was “multi-level degenerative disc changes”. Taking a closer look at the findings, I note that most of your lower back appears normal. Two of the discs show mild narrowing and mild to moderate desiccation (drying). One disc also shows a “small subligamentous central disc protrusion with slight effacement of the thecal sac”. This lovely little gem of “medicalese” simply means that one of your discs has been squashed causing the soft inner part to “bulge” which has thinned an area of the membrane that covers the spinal cord and contains the spinal fluid.

All in all, your MRI is not bad. I am, however, concerned about the disc protrusion that has caused thinning of the thecal sac. Without treatment this could worsen and lead to a hole in the membrane causing the spinal cord to be exposed allowing it to be easily damaged.

You are experiencing pain which has been ongoing for more than two years. In my opinion, you need to make an appointment with the physician who ordered the MRI. He or she should then order a follow-up MRI to see if there is new damage and to asses the extent of the existing damage. At this point you should also ask what treatment options he recommends.

Don’t let your lack of funds prevent you from seeking appropriate medical treatment. If you let this go, there is a chance of permanent damage and disability. If your physician is unwilling to make payment arrangements and/or lower his fees, find someone who will. You may also wish to try to get temporary medical assistance through your local department of social services.