I had my exam, consult, and MRI / X-ray viewing with Ellen Murphy FNP who is a (I adore this title) Physician Extender at Neurosurgery & Spine Associates in Scarborough Maine. I was extremely impressed by Ellen. She is energetic, upbeat, Has detailed answers (& time to give them) gets enthusiastically involved in resolution hunting after careful detective work during our consult where I tell my story and tales of discomfort woes. I couldn't have been more impressed.
The process she told me during part of our conversation was for her to examine the MRI / X-Rays and discover all the things that are possible pain producers, then as she reviewed my history and listen to my story try to put the two together. They don't always match up well. For instance I have 5 or 6 things wrong that are not producing Pain (2 herniated disks, some arthritis, diminished disk spaces, diminished disk quality, and a disk bulge). Not all that uncommon. When she explained to me that the "issues" she found don't typically cause the sort of pain I described in the areas I notated, I said quickly, "DON"T TELL ME what kind of pain they do cause!" She laughed. If she told me I knew I'd start having it on the way home! As it was, after chopping 4 inches of ice off the interior surface area of the 100 gallon water tubs and getting them flipped to get the ice out (not as easy as it sounds) I thought for sure I was getting it for about 1/2 hour. I didn't though. The (groin, leg, knee, foot) pain I do have is sufficient for now.
She thinks my pain is rather from the rotated hip and some diminished space in some canal near the hip joint where nerves pass. She has ordered more X-rays (Standing this time) and an appointment with a Dr. named Alicia "Lee"Smilowicz.
My compressed disks are in the upper Thoracic region (I've lost about an inch in stature). I was told that degenerative disks is not a disease but merely a normal part of the aging process.
The Herniations are in the Lumbar region as is the bulge and this is also were my disks are drying and turning from Grapes to raisins.
The arthritis is in one of the facet joints in the lower thoracic region. And These problems are going to remain as they are: NOT causing pain!!! And I'm not going to crash ever again. But I am going to have a new appreciation for today and thank God for every Season that I can work and play this hard from now on out.
Interesting, though unfortunate about your leg. I hope you get to the bottom of it.
Posted by: Sarah | December 21, 2007 at 23:49