[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]

Originally Posted by Denverdame

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

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]

Originally Posted by 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 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)...