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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Pain From The Back To The Chest Indicate?

My brother injured his l5/l4 lifting a large piece of slate. Pain immediately radiating from the back around to the chest. He had 2 epidurals with symptoms worsened after the second epidural. He has no control over his muscles in his left leg. He walks by swinging from his hip MRI of the spine cervical thoracic and lumbar only indicates the injury to the lumbar L5 the injury does not explain his symptoms in the left leg. If anything it should be his right leg. The injury occurred last June. His next step is a neurologist ( of which years ago he had surgery on an aneurysm which he is monitored yearly). If he concentrates on lifting his large toe in a sitting position he experiences muscle spasms. He’s been through many doctors physical therapy everyone is at a loss. Any ideas. He has an appointment with a neurologist in May. Long wait
posted on Mon, 5 Feb 2018
Twitter Mon, 30 Jul 2018 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 31 Jul 2018 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here are my thoughts.

Noted the history about your brother's accident, MRI findings and status of pain and weakness.
I would advise him the following in such a situation:
Neurologist's opinion, but there is a long wait.
Take him to Er and ask for lumbar puncture for sending the spinal fluid to the lab for analysis as it may then give a clue as to why the problems persist in spite of only lower lumbar problem on MRI.
This may also indicate the cause for the pain in the back radiating to the chest. Another possibility is of nerve root compression that may not be evident on MRI.
Take him to the Physiotherapist for proper training.Give Multivitamins and mineral supplements so that healing is faster. Nervous system takes the maximum time for recovery.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Does Pain From The Back To The Chest Indicate?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here are my thoughts. Noted the history about your brother s accident, MRI findings and status of pain and weakness. I would advise him the following in such a situation: Neurologist s opinion, but there is a long wait. Take him to Er and ask for lumbar puncture for sending the spinal fluid to the lab for analysis as it may then give a clue as to why the problems persist in spite of only lower lumbar problem on MRI. This may also indicate the cause for the pain in the back radiating to the chest. Another possibility is of nerve root compression that may not be evident on MRI. Take him to the Physiotherapist for proper training.Give Multivitamins and mineral supplements so that healing is faster. Nervous system takes the maximum time for recovery. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.