Have questions about Degenerative spondylolisthesis

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midimonk

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Basically how bad is a stable 3 mm slip? should I get a second opinion regarding the other symptoms from another spine doc or hope Rheumatologist will catch the rest? Sorry for the length just miserable and no one seems to answer me.



BACKGROUND:Male 37, 168LBs

I have a diagnosis of L5 3mm movement -slip L4/5 - stable
recomended PT, via x-ray at the local hospitals spine program.I have yet to do the PT due to cost and given the hurt just trying to do mild exercise has me leery.I have a Rheumatologist later this week to check some other symptoms that may or may not be related.These incl. nurab hanRAB + toes, burning sensations throughout my back, left bicep , and calves.These are not constant but sometimes give me a simultaneous wallop.On very rare occasion, my left calf will lock up like a charley horse and will have me screaming in pain.

I am a type 2 diabetic with excellent bloodwork results, that made them think this maybe in my head.Thank goodness for the x-ray.In oct 07, I had what was seemingly a severe gout attack(the pain got me suicidal), took indomictin did nothing really.Got to a podiatrist, instead of aspirating, took x rays found a bunion and gave me a steroid shot, Which made my diabetes go through the roof and cured the supposed gout.The Podiatrist was so quick with me, I never got to explain what else was going along the foot pain, 3 months later, I ended up at a spine center.
 
I'm not certain if that is a lot of travel. Some of your symptoms sound like mine - burning, nurabness, and cramping. I also had severe aching in my legs to the point of being up all night, but that was from the spinal stenosis. If you are getting a lot of pain, that may be giving you the answer you need. If a nerve is getting pinched off, you can get all sorts of sensations. My legs were freezing and sweating at the same time, going nurab, etc. The nerve canal is different for everyone, if the nerve is in a tight space to begin with, then a little slipping could be causing increased pain. The best person to answer your questions would be a spine specialist.

Hope you feel better.
 
Hello and welcome to the board ~

Have you had a MRI? It will be difficult to see if you have a pinched nerve or a bulging disc without it. The x-ray will only show the discs being out of alignment (the spondy).

Spondylolisthesis in and of itself is not necessarily bad and/or painful. But often a nerve root will get pinched and this causes the pain in your leg, foot and or hip. The "charley horse" sensation in your calf is very typical of a L4-5 nerve entrapment. However, this, at L4-5, should not be causing any nurabness in your hanRAB, or burning in your biceps.

The rheumatologist will not be able to help you with symptoms caused by spondylolisthesis. You should get a thorough work-up by a fellowship trained spinal specialist. Then you will know exactly what you are dealing with.
 
Thank you both, for some answers.I have not had an MRI yet, I may request one now.I am just overwhelmed and just want some to know what's taking my will to live away.

Again thank you for reading my post.
 
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