Lower back problem -- What should I do now?

[reddevil0728]

when u live in the same bunk with a person for 1 yr 8 months

oh so u noe TS la?

 

[imnuts-]

oh so u noe TS la?

hehehe 你说呢

 

[reddevil0728]

hehehe 你说呢

doesn't matter.. then too bad for TS

 

[renfred89]

i do not agree with you on this.

because the doctor suspect is weak back and weak legs, thus the physio exercises will be tailored to strengthen the back and legs.

but if TS's condition is not due to weak back and weak legs, but is instead (for instance) slip disc, then all those back and leg strengthening exercises that he did would have been for nothing.

well... the back strengthening portion might still be relevant though, depending on the specific exercise used.

worst case scenario is that TS's condition is not due to weak back and legs, and not only did those back and leg strengthening physio not help at all, it might TS's true condition worse.

Well, I choose to trust a Senior Consultant than to second guess his decision. X-ray would have indicated any further investigation if it returned abnormal.. prolapsed disc? sounds more like msk related.

 

[renfred89]

suggest you do an x-ray scan at polyclinic using your 11b to see if there is any spinal defects. MRI is really to see if there is any nerve impairment and it is the last and most expensive diagnostic tool. why do physio when you don't even know what is the problem

Physio was recommended by a senior consultant. X-ray was also done. Maybe you can read the first few posts.

 

[j_t_fusion]

Well, I choose to trust a Senior Consultant than to second guess his decision. X-ray would have indicated any further investigation if it returned abnormal.. prolapsed disc? sounds more like msk related.

personal experience from a few year back...

orthopaedic specialist did an x-ray for me and did not noticed anything wrong so conclude is lower back strain.

took some months to convince the specialist that it is not merely a lower back strain and he sent me for mri scan.

the mri scan result conclude that i got slip disc.

don't want to start a argument with you but your words and my personal experience don't tally.

so either is your words are right and my orthopaedic specialist suck at analysing x-ray images or you are wrong...

 

[reddevil0728]

Well, I choose to trust a Senior Consultant than to second guess his decision. X-ray would have indicated any further investigation if it returned abnormal.. prolapsed disc? sounds more like msk related.

Senior consultants are human and can be wrong too

 

[Makunouchi_Ippo]

I have this lower back problem for the past 3 months already. Whenever I run, jump, stand for too long and carry heavy stuffs, my lower back aches. I have been to the MO and Polyclinic 3-4 times and the response is the same -- there is no big issue with it, and they keep on giving me painkillers and some gels to apply. And not too sure why, but at the same time my legs become weaker as well, feel aching whenever I climb the stairs (2-3 stories only).

Recently I went to one of the hospitals for appointment. The doctor simply told me to go for some physio therapy for 4 months before re-assessing me again if I need to go for a MRI scan because he deemed my back and my legs are "too weak". I argued back stating that I never had back and legs problems before NS and throughout my whole NS journey and the problems only appeared 3 months ago. The doctor simply ignored and keep emphasizing that it is because my legs and my back are "too weak", which I find it quite absurd. So now I am wondering in the past how did I climb up 16 stories of stairs without any issues, or carry heavy stuffs without any issues.

So for now what should I do? Should I follow and go for 4 months of physio therapy and if it doesn't get better, go for MRI scan?

Sadly, going ORD real soon, by then need to pay everything.

Thank you.

Faster refer to specialist then ask him refer you for mri scan , at least you can save on the scan cost which is like at least 700+

 

[j_t_fusion]

the problem is convincing the specialist to send him for mri scan...

 

[renfred89]

personal experience from a few year back...

orthopaedic specialist did an x-ray for me and did not noticed anything wrong so conclude is lower back strain.

took some months to convince the specialist that it is not merely a lower back strain and he sent me for mri scan.

the mri scan result conclude that i got slip disc.

don't want to start a argument with you but your words and my personal experience don't tally.

so either is your words are right and my orthopaedic specialist suck at analysing x-ray images or you are wrong...

The forum is a place for discussion, not argument, I am afraid you need to revise the definition of a forum in your dictionary.

Every physician has his own plan of management, and i shall not comment on your personal experience. I merely presented the typical signs and symptoms and that of course, not everyone fits the bill entirely.

Getting referred to the orthopaedics gives you the right to ensure someone more qualified to manage your condition, and it is your right as well, to request for certain investigations. Not in every scenario, a physician shall accede to your request in a restructured hospital. Therefore here I am presenting the fact to TS, there is no one shortcut to get MRI, and even if you get it, probably you have to wait for several weeks.

 

[renfred89]

Senior consultants are human and can be wrong too

Of course, but in what capacity would a layman, a patient or even the family, use to refute the plan of a physician?

The more intelligent way is to seek another professional's opinion for legal redress.

 

[reddevil0728]

Of course, but in what capacity would a layman, a patient or even the family, use to refute the plan of a physician?

The more intelligent way is to seek another professional's opinion for legal redress.

Well I'm not saying anyone should refute the plan for a physician, but that doesn't mean one cannot be more cautious and would rather be sceptical rather than blindly trust a senior consultant.

Wait sorry, legal redress??? So you are suggesting TS should see another specialist for a 2nd opinion or fin a lawyer???

 

[AceyourMaths]

When you train too much using wrong techniques, you get injuries like this that last forever. Hard truths.

In the past, you can climb up 16 storeys no problem but the pressure on the joints and bones are slowing building up. Now the joints or bones have finally given way and that's why you start to feel pain.

 

[stillgottheblues]

Doctor wait till you ORD. Then you pay yourself, same as me and thats what the MO told me. I appreciate his frankness.

 

[new-comer]

Ty all for your assistance

personal experience from a few year back...

orthopaedic specialist did an x-ray for me and did not noticed anything wrong so conclude is lower back strain.

took some months to convince the specialist that it is not merely a lower back strain and he sent me for mri scan.

the mri scan result conclude that i got slip disc.

don't want to start a argument with you but your words and my personal experience don't tally.

so either is your words are right and my orthopaedic specialist suck at analysing x-ray images or you are wrong...

How did you manage to convince the specialist?

Faster refer to specialist then ask him refer you for mri scan , at least you can save on the scan cost which is like at least 700+

Suck thumb, I ORD already

When you train too much using wrong techniques, you get injuries like this that last forever. Hard truths.

In the past, you can climb up 16 storeys no problem but the pressure on the joints and bones are slowing building up. Now the joints or bones have finally given way and that's why you start to feel pain.

Forever? I just hope that it is not something serious

 

[singexpat]

TS, i have such problems recently though after i picked up trekking..

turns out, i have high arch soles, thus the not-so-perfect spread of walking pressure on my feet, which puts pressure on my lower back and there after, e pain..

went to see a chiropractic and since using custom made soles, am happy to say my back is no longer painful after long walks or jogs..

u can properly check it out too.

 

[j_t_fusion]

Ty all for your assistance



How did you manage to convince the specialist?

that time my ortho appointment was once every 2 to 3 months. every appointment with the ortho specialist lasted no more than 5 mins and every time i end up going back a big bag of painkillers and fastnum gel.

after 2 or 3 appointments with him, i got very fed up and told him straight in his face that my condition cannot simply be a case of back strain cos i was in constant back pain for the past 6+ months.

and he immediately referred me for MRI scan, which concluded that i got slip disc.

what's even more ironic is that a few weeks before the very first ortho appointment, i went to see TCM for the back and the TCM physician concluded that i got slip disc... without even needing to use x-ray and MRI scan.

 

[chehjin]

in the midst of this discussion,

take note of going for 2nd opinions

in some insurances, they will not entertain claims for the 2nd opinion unless you notify them prior to it.

same for SAF, if they send u to 1 specialist and u want to switch to another for 2nd opinion, make sure they will cover u, else u will be paying everything on your own.

To new-comer, even though u ORD, if injury happens during NS time, they will still cover u. keep all your documentations with you and if possible, report back to MO for follow up if necessary. make sure ur unit commanders are in the loop.

 

[naruto13]

in the midst of this discussion,

take note of going for 2nd opinions

in some insurances, they will not entertain claims for the 2nd opinion unless you notify them prior to it.

same for SAF, if they send u to 1 specialist and u want to switch to another for 2nd opinion, make sure they will cover u, else u will be paying everything on your own.

To new-comer, even though u ORD, if injury happens during NS time, they will still cover u. keep all your documentations with you and if possible, report back to MO for follow up if necessary. make sure ur unit commanders are in the loop.

true and not true.
no one would be expected to keep documentation and what kind of documentation are there in the first place?

u will get doubted dozen of times along the way and to reject u needless to say.

 

[chehjin]

true and not true.
no one would be expected to keep documentation and what kind of documentation are there in the first place?

u will get doubted dozen of times along the way and to reject u needless to say.

keep documentation of whatever u receive from doctors appointments, receipts, report, MO status slip etc. whats so difficult about this?

he JUST ord only, not say tracing a few years back. if now dun keep track then how?

anyway, u are entitled to your pessimistic view, all i'm doing is tell him to keep track and escalate now.