RE: Popping in lower back

[Guest guest]

Joan, I had a Harrington rod put in place back in 1977 and was fused from T4 to L3. I was fine for about 30 years, did most everything anyone else could do and had only minor lower back stiffness or discomfort. About 4 -5 years ago I started have increased pain, very severe at times, and it progressively worsened until I went to see a scoliosis surgeon. He told me I had early flatback plus a CT myelogram (where they inject dye into your spine to look for compressed nerves) revealed that I had a synovial cyst pressing into the nerve roots in the center of my spine at the L4/L5 level. I was able to get that cyst ruptured which improved my pain dramatically. I do have minor bulging discs at my lower unfused levels and arthritis in my facet joints (all of this was found with the CT myelogram procedure.) My pain fluctuates from day to day and even month to month, but if I exercise regulary; stretching, strengthening of my core, and riding an stationary exercise bike, I do fairly okay. I cannot walk long distances or stand for more than 15-20 minutes without the back pain increasing and becoming very uncomfortable. I am very stiff after sitting and cannot stand erect for 5 minutes or so after first standing up. Once my muscles relax, I am okay. I also have the sensation or feeling of something popping or “clunking” in my back when I move certain ways. It isn’t truly like cracking your knuckles as it happens over and over when I am exercising. It doesn’t hurt, but it is annoying and worrisome. It’s been happening for years but I have gone through periods where it didn’t happen much at all to times when it happends quite frequently. I don’t know what it is, but I suspect it has to do with my facet joints and rubbing against each other. The compression of the lower spine joints causes these bones to function abnormally with could account for the feeling of popping. It seems that when I keep up with my core strengthening exercises the popping sensation lessens. I don’t know what you physical abilities are at this time, but you might be able to help your situation with exercise. Seeing a physical therapist that is an expert at spinal issues could be useful in finding exercises you can do without making your condition worse. Best of luck to you, this is a difficult health issue that we have to deal with.Jeanne From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of JoanSent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 3:07 PM Subject: Popping in lower back I was diagnosed with flatback about ten years ago. The pediatric orthopedic doctor had a bleak outlook on treatments and I have had no follow up or visits with doctors. Lately the pain has gotten much worse and my activity level is minimal. Also I have been experiencing popping like sensations in my lower back. Anyone had this kind of experience? What are some likely causes or this popping? Thanks,Joan