L5- S1 Small protusion - Help

[Rippers]

Hi,

I'm going to apologise now for this long message, but hopefully more information might be helpful.

In February 2013 I had a snowboarding accident. I got back to the pub après-ski and the pain in my lower back was excruciating. Standing wasn’t as bad, but going from sitting to standing and vice versa was extremely painful and stiff. I took some paracetmol and continued to board for the rest of the holiday (2 days); pain didn’t get worse but didn’t get better.

I got back from the holiday and took a few days off work – I read online that back pain can correct itself in around 12 weeks so I didn’t seek any attention for 8/9 weeks – there was slight improvement but nothing significant. I went to the doctor who referred me to the NHS Physio. This was in May 2013. I went a few times and she just basically went through some excercises.

A piriformis exercise – bring left leg up pull knee to opposite shoulder and hold ankle
Prone - superman type thing

A couple of other exercises which I have forgotten; these helped quite a lot – with the NHS apparently you only get 5 sessions then they refer you. I went on holiday in July 2013 and did a lot of swimming. The day before I got home, I had a massive set back. I started getting pains down my left leg when I walked and was extremely painful to sit and stand again. It was worse than it was originally.
I got referred to a ‘clinical assessor’, but the appointment wasn’t until the end of September. So I went to a private chiropractor. I saw her for 4/5 months until it was costing me a fortune for very little benefit. The pain in my leg was not going away.
I must clarify that my pain in my leg at this point was not as bad as before. It only occurs when I try to bend over straight legged – if I’m doing straight leg lifts, I get my foot about a foot off the ground and then I get a pain along the left side of my hamstring until just below my knee. This isn’t a problem as I maintain a straight back as often as I can. I don’t have many issues sleeping, I’m used to it.

I then had an MRI scan in January 2014. This came back and you can find attached the report from the scan – haven’t got a copy of the pictures.

The clinical assessor basically said it’s up to me what I do. I can’t have any more physio since I’ve had my ‘NHS Allowance’ – EVEN IF IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM - which I find highly ridiculous. She said she can refer me to a surgeon.

I personally don’t want to have surgery. I’m too young to even contemplate it and I’d rather deal with the pain than be cut open.

Is this a bad injury or is it fixable? I understand it’ll take time – is there any particularly good things I should look into? I tried Piriformis stretches last night but my ‘nerve’ pains are quite bad immediately after – not sure if this could be because I’ve stretched and they’re in pain. But yesterday my back wasn’t that bad.

I was a very healthy person prior this is accident. Gym 3 times a week, boxing once a week , a 3 mile run a week. Very clean diet. Since this injury I haven’t been able to do any of these. It’s really depressing.
MRI Report.jpg

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[toddchaney]

Don't be disheartened, I'm sure you'll get over this pain. Start with some basic exercises like partial crunches and hamstring stretches instead of performing hard core exercise.