Ropey, gritty feeling muscle around transverse process Posted: 04-08-08 11:24am
Wondering if anyone can help me here...
Brief history...43 yrs old, chronic back
pain for 7 yrs. Original injury due to
deadlift. MRI confirmed "tiny" L4/L5
herniation. 3yrs after pretty well
recovered however then reinjured myself
pushing van out of snow. Had a feeling of
letting go on left side QL through to hip
area similar to muscle tear. No sharp pain
or leg pain felt however.
6 months after that accident I developed a
ropey lumpy mass around my left transverse
process approx 2" from my spine and 2"
above my illium which radiates pain.
Painful to sit or drive for extended
periods although pressing on this lumpy
area would relieve pain somewhat. Dr's
have told me it's a 12th rib or scar
tissue or trigger point. MRI didn't pick
anything up apart from bulging disc. xray
ruled out 12th rib problem.
I've having severe buttock pain now on my
left side and continued pain in the area
where this lumpy knot is located. My
quality of life is going downhill as I
can't drive for extended periods or sit at
work and concentrate for very long.
I've tried every kind of
treatment...chiro, core exercises,
accupuncture, stretching, prolotherapy but
nothing has resolved my pain. I've seen
primarily sports medicine Drs or pain
clinic Drs who are at a loss to diagnos
what my problem is but do not want to
refer me to neuro surgeon. (i'm in
Canada). One Doc told me he's never seen
anything similar what I have in 25yrs of
practice.
I'm guessing I have some kind of neural
impingement around the l5 transverse
process or perhaps disc issues. At this
point I'm seriously considering looking to
the US for treatment options.
If anyone has experienced similar symptons
in terms of a ropey, gritty feeling muscle
close to their transverse process in the
quadratus lumborum muscle producing pain
while sitting please let me know.
|
surigama
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 1
tranverse process - pain Posted: 07-03-08 04:15am
G'day,
Yes I know what you are talking about. I
have a similar but not identical problem,
and it seemed to be initiated from
overdoing lunges in the gym with a
barbell.
I don't have a cure, nor do I even know
what it is, but I have some theories.
1. Facet joint inflammation, caused by
degeneration of the facet cartilage - a
facet joint injection is a sure way to
diagnose/treat this
2. One of the small muscle insertion
points on the tran. process has been
torn/severly damaged, and will not heal.
If you look at an anatomy diagram, these
muscles are extremely slender, and I
propose that the slightest stress as they
are trying to heal will damage them again,
so that a cycle of inflammation, and
scarring develops.
I know this isn't much but one thing I
have found that relieves the pain somewhat
is this.
Get a water running belt [ from an
aquarobics store/site] and go to a local
heated pool. Put the belt on and get in
the deep end of the pool and just walk in
the water for about 20 mins. I guess this
is decompressing the spine and spinal
muscles, and strengthening the supporting
muscles without aggravating the damaged
muscles.
Another help is to get a light compression
back support brace and wear it while
sitting. I have found with this I can now
ride my motorcycle for 40-60 mins.,
whereas before I could barely ride 15mins
without aggravation.n't.
I have found the following actions
agggravate
1. Sitting
2. lunges/deadlift type exercises
3. Hip flexion extension exercises., with
the knees straight
All I can do is just try and either stand
or lie down most of the time, but if your
job involves driving then it's not much
help
Good luck
|
Zak_han
Supporter
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 56 Location: Bristol, UK
Thanks: 3
Thanked:0
To srfnson ,my personal opinion. Posted: 07-03-08 06:01am
It sounds like what you're describing is
chronic soft tissue injuries due to long
trem unbalance in lower back, which can
become worse over time and lead to painful
ropey lumpy mass around your left
transverse process ,etc. Given the
severity of your pain and the functional
limitations it's now placing on you, it
probably is time to consult with a
reputable doctor for second opinion.It is
a common misconception that back pain
always stems from the pressure of a
slipped disc or a trapped nerve. This is
misleading, the main cause of pain is
inflammation stimulating nerves, causing
the pain signal.
I would agree that intensive acupuncture
(Not general acupuncture), mobilization
exercises can be helpful
good luck!
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srfnson
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 4
Posted: 07-14-08 10:04am
Thanks for your reply...
I think you're right about the soft tissue
injury as when my pain seems to eminate
from this lumpy mass area and I can feel
the texture of the area change when I"m in
pain.
It's a very frustrating condition as I've
seen 4 doctors so far and getting them to
acknowledge that this area is the problem
vs a disk issue is very difficult. It
seems if it is not disk related their
response is that there are too many other
conditions or causes that an accurate
diagnosis is not possible.
Most docs and physio's have commented
they've never seen a patient with the
lumpy mass structure that I have around my
left L5 transverse process. Unfortunately,
nothing in that area shows up on an
MRI....
