16 year old neice with cheerleading injury
 

Hi,
I thought you folks would be the ones to ask about this mri results:

Broad subligamentous disk extrusion is noted resulting in a mild dural sac compression. a broad annular fissure posteriorly inferiorly is associated with the extrusion. This extends slightly inferior to the disk space at the L5-S1 area.


She has had back pains since last april that went away with PT but have come back 100 worse just 3 weeks ago after starting cheerleading again. She is the "base" so every one climbs on top of her.

Her pediatrition examed her and noted neuropathy in her left foot ..kind of like a clubing, she cant curl her toes and numbness and now it is also in her left arm as well...still awaiting those results.

I don't quite understand what this all means...could this be permnanent nerve damage?

thank you
bizi

it means no more cheerleading, alas...

it's a herniated disc, and very painful, I understand.

here's a primer, in mostly layperson's language:

A disc herniation, also called a subligamentous disc, occurs when the nuclear (inner jelly-like portion of the disc) material protrudes into the tears in the annulus in one area and has displaced surrounding anatomical structures, like the spinal cord or nerve roots, i.e. pinched nerve. However, the outer ring of the annulus has not been breached, in other words, no disc material has completely squirted through the outer edges of the disc.

MRI reports frequently use the term disc protrusion interchangeably with disc herniation. A disc protrusion generally refers to a broad-based or slightly asymmetric bulging of the disc with an intact annulus and reflects disc degeneration (see below). Sometimes you may even see the term focal disc protrusion, which usually means the same thing as a disc herniation.

http://www.youcanbefit.com/disc.html


I'll be praying for your niece, as my sister was a cheerleader and gymnast, and was "base" as well... but back then (in the 70s) there were no MRIs and girls were just told to "buck up" and get over it.

she's nearing 50, and still having problems with her back and neck, because it wasn't treated.

so, my recommendation is... get her to a good doctor, and get her HEALED, and have her take it EASY for a good long while until she's TOTALLY better, because unfortunately, re-injuries are common, and you don't want her to have life-long problems.

:hug: to your niece, and hope she's feeling better soon !!

thank you!
She has an appointment with a neurosurgeon tomorrow.
From what I read, they don't reccomend surgery....
we will see what he/she says tomorrow.
thanks for you fast reply...I appreciate it.
bizi

A very easy to read site with pictures:

http://www.chirogeek.com/001_Tutorial_Birth_of_HNP.htm

bizi

yes.

my sister has experience MUCH relief of pain from seeing a chiropractor.

especially treatments by a doctor using a combination of the Activator Method, and the Palmer Method.

should I goggle those terms?
bizi

Bizi....

Those are different kinds of chiropractic methods or styles.... I can't recall how many but those are two of them.

:hug:
Abbie

um, lemme think...

Palmer is a gentle manipulation by the chiropractor, with his hands, to realign the vertebrae.

Activator uses a little tool-thingie that sorta POPs out, and jiggles things back into place without the manual adjustments.

some doctors use several methods, whatever is best for the patient.

sometimes people are in too much pain to be pulled and twisted by hand, so the Activator tool works well for them.

and some people only hurt badly in one or two areas, so the doctor uses the Activator there, and manually adjusts elsewhere.

see, when one vertebrae or disc is injured, it puts stress on the whole spine (since it's all connected) and there can be a domino effect, leading to, say, if your lower back's out, then it pulls things out further upwards, leading to a tweaked mid-back or neck.

here, this explains it better than I ever could:

http://www.becomehealthynow.com/arti...echniques/663/

hope that helps.

:grouphug:

well her neurosurgeon wants more exams done since she is having arm involvement too. so more mri's next week with contrasting dyes of her cervical neck and her head....
she is being thorough....
thanks for you replies!
bizi

spine /chiro info - hope some of these might help
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post284498-37.html
Chiropractic care info- a good one can help with many symptoms:
http://www.upcspine.com/self.htm
http://www.uppercervical.org/subpag...b/about_faq.php
http://www.spineuniverse.com/index.html
http://www.coloradochiropractic.org/.../glossary.html