MRI Report on my spine

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vickster

Legendary Member
They are all as bad as each other aren't they ?

I put in a FOI request asking how many patients had been referred for orthopedic surgery in the last year.........the answer ....

60 !!!!!!

Presumably the others either went private or were given co cocadamol .....no wonder there is opoid addiction.
My GP is excellent as are the others in the practice

Maybe other patients didn’t need surgery? Similar to yourself. Almost all backpain doesn’t
 

midlife

Guru
Did you have CT as well as MRI ?
 
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kingrollo

kingrollo

Guru
My GP is excellent as are the others in the practice

Maybe other patients didn’t need surgery? Similar to yourself. Almost all backpain doesn’t
Those stats are for all orthopedic surgiees - hip, knee, not just back - and injections count in that. Thats a large GP practice - typically six or 7 GPS consulting when open.

Had I not pushed - they would have just given me pain killers.
 

Rocky

Hello decadence
My GP is excellent. I currently have back problems and have recently had an MRI. The GP referred me to a spinal surgeon who ordered the MRI. At the follow up appointment the specialist gave me the diagnosis and talked through treatment options. See your GP (or change to a new one). You should be getting specialist advice about the scan. You should not have to interpret it yourself. Given the risk of paralysis and incontinence from an L4/L5 prolapse, I’d seek help sooner rather than later.
 
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kingrollo

kingrollo

Guru
No they are certainly not all the same, are all cyclist the same?

No what I meant was if I moved GP I would have to stay under the same CCG - it is they who set the criteria for when a condition gets surgery - or when you are referred. See procedures of low clinical priority policies.
 
They are all as bad as each other aren't they ?

I put in a FOI request asking how many patients had been referred for orthopedic surgery in the last year.........the answer ....

60 !!!!!!

Presumably the others either went private or were given co cocadamol .....no wonder there is opoid addiction.

Orthopaedic surgery is a serious option that doesn't always lead to reduction in pain. It may well be right that your doctor does not refer a lot of patients for surgery. Incidentally can a GP refer someone for surgery, or just refer them to a specialist for more expert examination?
 
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kingrollo

kingrollo

Guru
Orthopaedic surgery is a serious option that doesn't always lead to reduction in pain. It may well be right that your doctor does not refer a lot of patients for surgery. Incidentally can a GP refer someone for surgery, or just refer them to a specialist for more expert examination?

I wouldn't think all referrals for orthopedic services lead to surgery.
 
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kingrollo

kingrollo

Guru
The problem I have is that I seem to have both disc and facet problems.
My private Physio has given me some excercise s but told me to avoid backward bends as this closes the facet joints - said cycling would be ok as leaning forward opens facet joints.

My concern now is that as the facet joint injections have failed - is this disc more of a problem than the facet joint ?

Following that theory then leaning forward isn't good for my back - so road biking might not be wise.

I have some more NHS physio coming up - so hopefully they can advise.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
I wouldn't think all referrals for orthopedic services lead to surgery.
However your stat of 60 referred specifically to referrals for surgery? GPs refer to orthopaedics for specialist opinions not specifically for surgery.

Do you get pain in your back when road cycling? What happens on a more upright bike?
Do you get pain in buttocks and backs of legs suggesting the discs are pressing on the nerves, either when active or at rest?
The injections which were presumably steroid only serve to reduce inflammation, they won’t heal damage to bones (the lack of inflammation should hopefully stop further damage but steroid can also be damaging which is why they restrict the number given)
 
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kingrollo

kingrollo

Guru
However your stat of 60 referred specifically to referrals for surgery? GPs refer to orthopaedics for specialist opinions not specifically for surgery.

Do you get pain in your back when road cycling? What happens on a more upright bike?
Do you get pain in buttocks and backs of legs suggesting the discs are pressing on the nerves, either when active or at rest?
The injections which were presumably steroid only serve to reduce inflammation, they won’t heal damage to bones (the lack of inflammation should hopefully stop further damage but steroid can also be damaging which is why they restrict the number given)


The 60 was for referrals for orthopedic services.

Get a fair amount of buttock pain. On the bike typically I feel a few twinges in the first few miles - then fine really.
The problems start either later that day or the following day.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
The 60 was for referrals for orthopedic services.

Get a fair amount of buttock pain. On the bike typically I feel a few twinges in the first few miles - then fine really.
The problems start either later that day or the following day.
Right, you said surgery, hence confusion.
What's the demographic around you? Younger? I'd expect most Orthopaedic referrals from GPS rather than A&E are older/ elderly. Example, my 74 year old mum has been having severe hip pain for months, she's tried physio but finally went back to GP on Tuesday. Went for x-ray same day. Got called yesterday, orthopaedic appointment on 20th. It can be quick if deemed urgent. She was perhaps lucky as there's a specialist elective Orthopaedic centre at the local trust. However, I think similarly Birmingham has an Orthopaedic hospital?

Hopefully the physio can get you back on track :okay: persevere with the yoga, and make sure you try to have rest days in between active days to let any muscle paid/DOMS subside:okay: don't forget the ice and / or heat of course :smile:
 
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kingrollo

kingrollo

Guru
Right, you said surgery, hence confusion.
What's the demographic around you? Younger? I'd expect most Orthopaedic referrals from GPS rather than A&E are older/ elderly. Example, my 74 year old mum has been having severe hip pain for months, she's tried physio but finally went back to GP on Tuesday. Went for x-ray same day. Got called yesterday, orthopaedic appointment on 20th. It can be quick if deemed urgent. She was perhaps lucky as there's a specialist elective Orthopaedic centre at the local trust. However, I think similarly Birmingham has an Orthopaedic hospital?

Hopefully the physio can get you back on track :okay: persevere with the yoga, and make sure you try to have rest days in between active days to let any muscle paid/DOMS subside:okay: don't forget the ice and / or heat of course :smile:

Reading on here - I don't actually do that many miles ! - I get up to about 100 a week in the summer months. Club training rides are 33 miles on Sat - and club runs 60 sun (I tend to do one or other!) - Right now 25 miles once a week and I would be happy with that.

Its the delayed pain - which makes it difficult - If I got on the bike and it hurt then of course I would stop - but the onset seems to be later - so never sure if it is the biking.

I would reluctantly quit cycling - but would really hate the resulting weight gain ! - couldn't run - and swimming seems to aggravate my back and neck
 
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