Navigating doctors for a bad back

[Denverdame]

We have been in The Villages about 9 months and my husbands back has been hurting since around the time we got here. He has been sent from doctor to pain and spine docs that administer shots, receive xrays and MRIs, back to the doctor, referred to a neuro surgeon that takes over a month to get in to. Meanwhile he is prescribed several types of pain killers and basically can barely walk more than 5 feet. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get him some help immediately or know of a reputable back doctor that will see him right away?
Thank you in advance.

[Tblue]

Depends on what is causing him his issues. I have all the sympathy in the world for him, back before Thanksgiving I was an active guy in his early 70s but over a few months I went to walking with a cane and could only stand a few minutes, life was miserable. I did PT exercises I did the epidural steroid injection, MRI helped diagnose me with spinal stenosis. Referred to a neurosurgeon in Ocala, Dr. Saravana Karupppiah. He looked at my MRI, asked a few questions and his physical exam and diagnosed me and said I need an operation. A few weeks later and I had minimally invasive back surgery and life is back to normal active life. Look this neurosurgeon up, trained at UF with additional training in minimally invasive back procedures. Very high patient satisfaction scores. I can’t say enough good about him. Of course a lot depends on your husband’s diagnosis but I was fortunate to find someone trained in exactly what I needed, and boy did I need it. Best of luck to you.

[Tblue]

[QUOTE=Tblue;2347809]Depends on what is causing him his issues. I have all the sympathy in the world for him, back before Thanksgiving I was an active guy in his early 70s but over a few months I went to walking with a cane and could only stand a few minutes, life was miserable. I did PT exercises I did the epidural steroid injection, MRI helped diagnose me with spinal stenosis. Referred to a neurosurgeon in Ocala, Dr. Saravana Karupppiah. He looked at my MRI, asked a few questions and his physical exam and diagnosed me and said I need an operation. A few weeks later and I had minimally invasive back surgery and life is back to normal active life. Look this neurosurgeon up, trained at UF with additional training in minimally invasive back procedures. Very high patient satisfaction scores. I can’t say enough good about him. Of course a lot depends on your husband’s diagnosis but I was fortunate to find someone trained in exactly what I needed, and boy did I need it. Best of luck to you.

[Denverdame]

[QUOTE=Tblue;2347809]Depends on what is causing him his issues. I have all the sympathy in the world for him, back before Thanksgiving I was an active guy in his early 70s but over a few months I went to walking with a cane and could only stand a few minutes, life was miserable. I did PT exercises I did the epidural steroid injection, MRI helped diagnose me with spinal stenosis. Referred to a neurosurgeon in Ocala, Dr. Saravana Karupppiah. He looked at my MRI, asked a few questions and his physical exam and diagnosed me and said I need an operation. A few weeks later and I had minimally invasive back surgery and life is back to normal active life. Look this neurosurgeon up, trained at UF with additional training in minimally invasive back procedures. Very high patient satisfaction scores. I can’t say enough good about him. Of course a lot depends on your husband’s diagnosis but I was fortunate to find someone trained in exactly what I needed, and boy did I need it. Best of luck to you.[/QUOTE

This was really helpful. Thank you.

[Denverdame]

Thank you.

[MightyDog]

We have been in The Villages about 9 months and my husbands back has been hurting since around the time we got here.

The bolded part strikes me as notable although, perhaps not. Did he start wearing a new type of shoes after moving here? Is he sitting in a new chair since arriving? Are the floors in your home a much harder surface to walk on than before?

Short story: About 15 years ago, I used to get a tightening in my back of about a 4 or 5 inch span on my spine between the shoulder blades. I couldn't get relief for it except to go to the chiropractor and that helped.

So, I'd go to the chiro every 4 to 6 weeks and get him to address that and my neck.

After about a 1.5 years of this, I happened to go on a 10-day vacation and didn't take the shoes that I wore almost everyday while working at home. About the time I returned, I realized I had experienced none of that stiff section in my back the whole time on vacation.

I always like to consider -- well, what was different that changed something? Wow, I realized it had been those shoes. I loved them but, they had a sculpted sole and they obviously contorted my feet just slightly enough to have it affect my spine. I stopped wearing them entirely and the problem has never occurred again.

Unreal....

[JohnN]

I have back issues. One was spinal stenosis - for that I had a MILD (minimally invasive lumbar decompression). An outpatient procedure and it worked great, my lower spine no longer hurts. My second issue is significant osteoarthritis from my neck to my waist, and it hurts due to the inflamation. I've tried cortisone shots but they seemed very short lived and more trouble than they're worth since the docs only do one part of the back at a time. Rx steroids take the edge off, but I try not to use them unless the pain is excruciating. I don't have an answer for this one.

I do have a yoga mat with plastic spikes, and via accupressure, helps the pain. It's effective but doesn't last long once I get up. Still, it's nice to lay there and not hurt. It's called a bed of nails and I got it on Amazon.

Good luck. I feel your (his) pain, literally.

[Two Bills]

The one thing I have found, over the near 50 years of back problems, is to keep my weight down.
Whenever I over indulge and put a few pounds on, my back pain rises.
Not a cure, but something I have found is a help with living with back problems.
I have also learned that any form of regular exercise is better than doing nothing.
Less weight, more movement, works for me.

PS. Avoid sitting with your butt lower than your knees. That helped my back problems a lot.

[villagetinker]

We have been in The Villages about 9 months and my husbands back has been hurting since around the time we got here. He has been sent from doctor to pain and spine docs that administer shots, receive xrays and MRIs, back to the doctor, referred to a neuro surgeon that takes over a month to get in to. Meanwhile he is prescribed several types of pain killers and basically can barely walk more than 5 feet. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get him some help immediately or know of a reputable back doctor that will see him right away?
Thank you in advance.

Since this seems to have started when you moved here check:
1. Shoes, I wear high quality sneakers and have 4 pair that I rotate
2. Bed, specifically the mattress is this different from previous mattress?
3. I would see an orthopedic doctor to see if something is out of alignment, but I have had very good results with a chiropractor.
4. Other changes in habits since moving here.

[JMintzer]

Since this seems to have started when you moved here check:
1. Shoes, I wear high quality sneakers and have 4 pair that I rotate
2. Bed, specifically the mattress is this different from previous mattress?
3. I would see an orthopedic doctor to see if something is out of alignment, but I have had very good results with a chiropractor.
4. Other changes in habits since moving here.

Good advice...

[Ele201]

I think footwear is often overlooked or underestimated as a factor in body aches and pains. I was having pain in my shins, and the first thing my internist said was “Those shoes you’re wearing — very stylish but meant for a millennial. Get a pair that’s much more supportive.” So I did and felt much better.

[Lindawc]

Has he tried a chiropractor?

[Ellwoodrick]

It can be as simple as the shoes he wears. Many years ago I tried a pare of inserts (Orthodics ) for my shoes. It made all the difference in the world for me. I have lived with flat feet all my life. That's another issue. I even went to a Podiatrist to get a "Good" set of Orthodics made. Still had problems. went back to the foot doc. His answer was "we don't put a lot support in shoes now". Dropped him. I went back to the foot scanner in stores. Bought the recommended insert number. I now have many pares of them in all different shoes basically making all my shoes match each other. Yes I was diagnosed with arthritis in various areas of my Back years ago. Keeping active does help. I wish I had more to offer to help. When it is bad it is really bad. I understand. Good luck........

[Ptmcbriz]

What was his diagnosis after all those tests? They don’t refer a person to a neurosurgeon for no reason. Also, getting into an any surgeon in only a month is very fast. My husband has stenosis from his neck to his waist and walks with a cane within 6 months. Right now going to Brownwood pain clinic for shots which are not helping but insurance requires you to go through all these steps prior to going to a surgeon. Sounds like you need to wait and see what the surgeon explains to you about the X-rays and MRI’s. Good luck.

[JMintzer]

It can be as simple as the shoes he wears. Many years ago I tried a pare of inserts (Orthodics ) for my shoes. It mad all the difference in the world for me. I have lived with flat feet all my life. That's another issue. I even went to a Podiatrist to get a "Good" set of Orthodics made. Still had problems. went back to the foot doc. His answer was "we don't put a lot support in shoes now". Dropped him. I went back to the foot scanner in stores. Bought the recommended insert number. I now have many pares of them in all different shoes basically making all my shoes match each other. Yes I was diagnosed with arthritis in various areas of my Back years ago. Keeping active does help. I wish I had more to offer to help. When it is bad it is really bad. I understand. Good luck........

I don't know who "WE" are, but orthotics are still an important tool in treating foot, knee, hip and back pain...

Be careful of those "foot scanner" stores. They advertise "custom" orthotics, but what they give you is "off the shelf", cheap insoles and charge a ridiculous price...

If they sell you a $30-$50 OTC insole, that's fine, as they can certainly help. But some of the stores charge $200-300 for shoes and another $300/pair for their insoles (w/a 3 pair minimum)...

[Janie123]

The bolded part strikes me as notable although, perhaps not. Did he start wearing a new type of shoes after moving here? Is he sitting in a new chair since arriving? Are the floors in your home a much harder surface to walk on than before?

Short story: About 15 years ago, I used to get a tightening in my back of about a 4 or 5 inch span on my spine between the shoulder blades. I couldn't get relief for it except to go to the chiropractor and that helped.

So, I'd go to the chiro every 4 to 6 weeks and get him to address that and my neck.

After about a 1.5 years of this, I happened to go on a 10-day vacation and didn't take the shoes that I wore almost everyday while working at home. About the time I returned, I realized I had experienced none of that stiff section in my back the whole time on vacation.

I always like to consider -- well, what was different that changed something? Wow, I realized it had been those shoes. I loved them but, they had a sculpted sole and they obviously contorted my feet just slightly enough to have it affect my spine. I stopped wearing them entirely and the problem has never occurred again.

Unreal....
Same here… I was having pain in back and feet… podiatrist suggested better shoes. Bought a pair of Hoka’s and went to Europe for 2 weeks, walked my butt off with zero pain. cancelled all my back and pain doctor appts…

[harby]

I did go with low back pain for a long time and decided to try with an acupuncturist in Ocala. Her name is Erica Olstein, DOM, AP,
352 615 5566. I can t believe how fast the pain is gone (unless I lift some, it will ache little) after three treatments! My ins. will reimburse me after I paid myself and sent the receipts to the ins. co. Good luck. Chas

[MidWestIA]

try one of these

https://chiropractorinoviedo.com/blog/osteopath-vs-chiropractor/

[Drrichross]

As many have alluded to, looking at changes in lifestyle and activities since moving to TV might help. One major lifestyle change many have after the move is changing to the golf cart lifestyle. Does he do a lot of cart driving? Look at the steering column on a golf cart and compare to a car/truck. The column on a cart is on a much more vertical angle. Thus when you drive you are more hunched over the radius. You steer more with shoulders than wrists as the focal point of pivot. The forces then get transferred to the next joint in line which is spine instead of elbow/ shoulder. Also seats are more upright than a sedan style cockpit, so you get a much more horizontal load onto spine and hips. In a car your legs are more in front than below, which gives a pelvic tilt and unloads the spine. Also lack of shocks add more jarring force to an unsupported, compromised spine.
This may not be his particular issue, but it is a major lifestyle change that many villagers go thru without realizing. Part of the fun of TV is being able to drive for hours in a cart. That's what I tell people up north. But golf carts were not designed for this, and by design are possibly the worst mode of travel, but are so fun. Every time we come down (snow flakes) the first thing we do is hop in the cart and drive from Mulberry to explore the new areas. I always pay the price with back pain, but as an osteopathic physician I know some tricks and stretches that work for me. I would suggest that if he does a lot of cart driving he take a break until seeing the surgeon. Also maybe try a supporting back brace to take stress off the muscles that are trying to stabilize his spine. Just my thoughts. Good luck. But remember in most cases surgery is the last resort. It may help, but there isn't much to offer beyond that, and if lifestyle (bed, activities, weight, osteoporosis, exercise...) aren't addressed as well the problem just returns and now your last resort has been used.

[bsouthworth47@yahoo.com]

In 2017 in Ocala I had back surgery for a Herniated disc protruding on my right leg. In 2021 it was still bothering me a lot so I went to Shands in Gainsville and had back surgery again .Best thing I ever did. I now have no pain and can do whatever I want. The doctor who operated on me is Dr. Decker and now has an office in Ocala. I see him once a year to make sure everything is ok. Would highly recommend anyone with back issues to deal with Shands. If anyone wants any more information let me know.

[Santiagogirl]

If the people you:have seen have ruled out catastrophic causes of back pain (hugely blown disc, cancer, abdominal aneurysm, etc), trying a chiropractor or osteopathic doc who is skilled in manipulation may help. Dr David Kuhn is good. Got rid of my backache in a few visits. Told me to return if I had more problems and didn't try to convince me to receive endless visits/herbal supplements/unnecessary treatments/questionable tests like some providers I have encountered.
Office near City Hall in Wildwood. He is a senior like us.

[CooperDupper]

So many of us suffer from back pain as we age. I found going to chiropractor for relief is best, but he or she should want to see an MRI which will probably require a script from your GP doctor.

[cwmmfink]

I wont impose upon you with my horror story; but to say, Dr. Scott Stengel saved me from the pain without surgery. Try one visit with your MRI and he will tell if he can help.

[Smalley]

The excess weight problem is often ignored or just not mentioned. Being overweight puts extra stress on spine and joints. There aren't many things that we can control but we CAN control our weight. If you haven't tried "My Fitness Pal", get the free app or look at the website and get started. We've been doing it for 2 months now and seeing results.

[justjim]

The excess weight problem is often ignored or just not mentioned. Being overweight puts extra stress on spine and joints. There aren't many things that we can control but we CAN control our weight. If you haven't tried "My Fitness Pal", get the free app or look at the website and get started. We've been doing it for 2 months now and seeing results.

You are spot on about weight. It’s amazing what the loss of 10-15 pounds can do to help your back pain.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get him some help immediately or know of a reputable back doctor that will see him right away?
Thank you in advance.

So your description reads like a completely change in physical lifestyle, and many transition from sedentary to active aren't in shape to make that quick transition.

I have herniated a lower back disc twice. The first time in my early 40s, during a competitive soccer match. i thought it was muscular, and never saw a doctor. The second time a combination of competitive tennis match, golfing, and moving heavy objects, the doctor did say it was a repeated injury as he could see the original on the MRI. There were signs the second time, but I was ignorant of them. Now, I stop whenever the signs show up for potential issues again. The signs were there, if you know how they feel.

Two doctors said mine will heal on its own with time, and exercise. I worked at home on my laptop, laying prone on the floor all day for several weeks until I could walk without pain.. It takes a long time to heal a disc bulge/tear. . shorter with surgery, but that introduces other risks. .

So the answers for mine was:

Proper diagnosis with an MRI.
Proper preventive physical therapy for the rest of my life.

Walking with proper posture as my posture from computer sitting for day after day weakened the muscles holding my back in line.
Daily PT exercises core and back, with stretching to reduce stenosis
after pain free continue anaerobic exercises with light weights to strengthen more than sedentary lifestyle.

Losing weight,
Walking, walking, walking at pace, not dawdling.
not sitting in a chair for more than several hours without getting up and walking around the house.

anything you read might be familiar to your husband?

[PLedoux]

I agree with others who say “what was the diagnosis?” I have had back pain most of my adult life, but it got worse over time. I was diagnosed with scoliosis, resulting in degenerative disk issues. I tried, due to insurance regulations, the steroid injections. Sometimes they worked, sometimes not, but never for long. Just this past spring I had surgery on my L3 and L4 disks (a spacer was inserted between them to replace almost total disk failure.) It has made a huge difference, and my doctor is hopeful that the other disks will work for a while without help. (I think he was trying NOT to say “for the rest of your short life, because you are really old!”) But the reality is that the other disks are also degenerated so there is a chance that I will have to have further surgery.
If your doctor has referrred you to a surgeon, it may be what is required. Here in our hometown in Michigan, we do not have the long wait times for doctors, but if I had to I would have just put my name in and waited to see the surgeon to hear what he had to say. Maybe ask to be on a cancellation list, or look further out, like Ocala or even Orlando to find someone who can see you sooner. I was not able to find any relief until I had the surgery.
I do agree with others that lifestyle changes make a huge difference. I found that golfing was very hard on my back when it was at its worst. Also, weight changes over the years were a factor.

[Denverdame]

Thank you

[Denverdame]

Thank you