A Desperate Young Woman...
One back pain sufferer's incredible story...
At the age of only 24, Michelle was told by her orthopedist that the severe back and leg pain she had been suffering with couldn't be helped any other way except for surgery. Not wanting to give in and fearing the uncertain outcome of back surgery, she searched the internet for a solution. She interviewed other offices with similar treatment, but finally decided upon Dr. Marks at Orange Spine & Disc Rehabilitation Center. 

Michelle shares her thoughts and feelings on her first day of spinal decompression therapy...

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Here are the results of Michelle's DRX9000 Spinal Decompression program in case study format:

DRX9000 Case Study #165

Subject: Michelle Wichlac  Age: 24 Occupation: Marketing Assist.

Initial symptoms (08/06/07):

Constant severe (rated as 9/10 on a 0-10 scale with 0 as no pain and 10 as worst possible pain) pain in the lower back radiating to the left buttocks, thigh, lower leg and ankle. She cannot sit longer than 15 minutes, stand longer than 10 minutes and walking is limited to about 5 minutes. She cannot engage in any recreational activities. She can only sleep on her right side and she is awoken each night with pain. She feels depressed due to the pain and disability it poses. She has had her condition for 3-4 years. The patient is a former athlete and previously enjoyed sporting and outdoor recreational activities.

Prior treatments:

The patient has been treated with approximately 12 months of chiropractic manipulation and therapy, 2 months of acupuncture, 1 month of physical therapy and numerous pain medications. None of these treatments have helped. She reports her condition is worsening. She has been told that she requires surgery due to a very large disc herniation in her lower back.

Physical examination (08/06/07):

The patient is in obvious distress and unable to sit comfortably or move about the exam room freely due to pain. She has tears in her eyes and frequently cries as she reports her history indicating severe pain and depression.

She has weakness of her left quadriceps and hamstring muscles (+4/5) indicating possible motor neurologic problems at L3-4-5. She cannot rise from a chair without great difficulty and using her hands for support. She has radiating leg pain on straight leg raising to only 45 degrees on the left. Seated straight leg raise also causes left leg pain. These tests strongly suggest nerve root irritation due to disc disease at L4/5 and/or L5/S1. She is severely tender over the lower back and both buttocks.

Special diagnostic testing:

Surface EMG testing using an InsightSystem computer interface found very little spasm in the lower back indicating the back pain was not of muscular origin but rather from the internal spine.

Computerized range of motion analysis was made using the InsightSystem Electronic Inclinometer and found motion to be slightly reduced for the patient’s age, gender and fitness level.

 Radiological review:

The patient supplied MRI images taken in March 2007. A medical radiologist, Dr. John Cutrone, interpreted the films. His impressions were:

• L2/3 disc: 2.6 mm protrusion that abuts the thecal sac

• L3/4 disc: 2.3 mm protrusion that abuts thecal sac

• L4/5 disc: 2.3 mm protrusion that abuts thecal sac

• L5/S1disc: 6.0 mm broad protrusion effacing left S1 nerve with signs of dehydration

 Initial diagnosis:

Severe back and leg pain due to multiple level disc disease, primarily to degenerative and severely bulging disc at L5/S1.

Recommendations:

The patient was informed she was a good candidate for DRX spinal decompression based on criteria by the manufacturer and our internal screening procedures. If the treatment failed she was advised that surgery would be her only option.

Treatment:

The patient received DRX spinal decompression therapy 4 days each week for a period of 5 weeks for a total of 20 sessions as per typical protocol. Each session was followed by Dynatron Interferential electrical stimulation with ice pack for 12 minutes and Erchonia Cold Laser therapy at 9/16 and 26/42 frequencies for 3 minutes. She was found to be much improved, but was not within target goals of pain improvement or activity level. Her plan was extended for an additional 10 sessions.

Post treatment analysis (10/29/07):

Current symptoms:

Intermittent slight pain (2 out of 10) in the left buttocks with no radiating leg pains. She can sit for longer periods up to , stand longer than 10 minutes and walking is limited to about 5 minutes. She has been exercising and doing Pilates as instructed. She is returning to the gym for weight training and elliptical training. She is sleeping better each night with no pain. She feels optimistic about her future and looks forward to a new life.

Physical examination:

The patient is in very good spirits and is smiling and happy. She is able to sit comfortably and move about the exam room freely without pain.

Her left quadriceps and hamstring muscles are as strong as the right side (+5/5). She can rise from a chair without any discomfort. She has no radiating leg pain on straight leg raising to a full 90 degrees on both sides. Seated straight leg raise is full and causes no leg pain. She is still moderately tender over the lower back and both buttocks muscles. Her left anterior thigh is mildly tender. Her motion is full and painless. She can reach beyond the level of the floor with her hands and can arch backwards at double the average without pain.

Radiological review:

The patient supplied repeat MRI images taken on September 20, 2007. The radiologist’s impressions were:

• L2/3 disc: no evidence of any disc bulge or herniation

• L3/4 disc: no evidence of any disc bulge or herniation

• L4/5 disc: no evidence of any disc bulge or herniation

• L5/S1disc: slight central 1-2 mm bulge with no nerve contact

 Analysis:

Her symptoms were reduced from constant severe pain (9/10) to intermittent slight pain (2/10).

Activities of daily living are at normal levels

Physical examination was greatly improved

Range of motion was returned to normal and painless

MRI findings were drastically improved: disc protrusions at L2/3, L3/4 and L4/5 were completely removed. Disc bulge at L5/S1 was reduced from 6.0 mm to 1-2 mm.

Conclusion:

The patient made an excellent recovery and is anticipated to continue becoming even more active as her core muscles gain strength with home and gym exercises.

Because she has persistent dehydration of the L5/S1 disc, she has been advised to have follow-up DRX sessions 4 times per year to prevent further deterioration.

Her treating medical doctor no longer considers her a surgical candidate.

 3 disc protrusions completely eliminated and another reduced by 75%. Activity level from 0 to full exercise. All without dangerous drugs or risky surgery.