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JessH

Has anyone been diagnosed with Thoracolumbar Syndrome?

Asked by JessH 
26 Nov 2011

hi,
Just wanting to speak to anyone who has been diagnosed or is suffering with Thoracolumbar Syndrome? Think this is something that I could possible have so any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

jacquieb
jacquieb  Volunteer
26 Nov 2011
Hi

Yes I have problems in that area along with p/n and everything else you wouldn't wish for! what are you symptoms?

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JessH
26 Nov 2011
Hi, hope you ok? Sounds like you suffering.
I have constant stabbing pain in my right groin & when it's at it's worse it travels around the top of my thigh. I have had all the scans etc which have come back clear & hernia & PSD all ruled out. I am currently awaiting a diagnostic laparoscopy which I'm having at the end of January in Manchester.
I was looking on the Internet where I came across Thoracolumbar Syndrome. I am suffering with the groin & thigh pain as described in the symptoms and I am also suffering with hair loss which is apparently another symptom. I am actually going to see an osteopath on Monday to get his opinion.
How long did it take for you to be diagnosed and what symptoms do you have?
Thank you for contacting me.
Jess

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Socks
27 Nov 2011
Hi there

I hadn't heard of this before, so I went on Google and was amazed to see that it matches my pattern of pain exactly. I had endometriosis and my surgeon found lots of calcified blood around my uterosacral ligaments and after the operation my pain went, but it's come back since I had a car whiplash accident three years ago. So, now I'm wondering if perhaps I've got a different problem, but with the same pain pattern, especially since an MRI scan this summer revealed I have deformed bones from scheuermann's disease which was undiagnosed before. However, I have pain on both sides and this syndrome is more commonly felt only on one side.

I'm going to send the following link to my physio, who I haven't been seeing for a while because of the expense and see what he says. I think I'll make a couple of appointments to pursue it further and then if I get any useful information from him I'll put it in another answer for you.

www.maitrise-orthop.com/cor...

I note that diagnosis can involve facet joint injections. I had a terrible time with injections many years ago and I don't want to even be in the same room as someone with a needle. I would have thought a good physio or chiropracter would be the best person to diagnose this. The trick is finding a good one. I know a physio who works in central London who is amazing, so I can forward his details if you're in that part of the country. As I don't work in London any more I've found someone more local who is also very good.

Have you had any surgery in the past and is the groin pain in the same area as any scars? Scar tissue can often cause problems.

What sort of specialist is doing your laparoscopy? If they are looking for endometriosis then try to go to a specialist hospital, some doctors are not as proficient as others in finding all the places it can lurk.

I noticed that you say you have 'constant' pain. Mechanical back problems don't always result in constant pain. Think if there are any positions in which you can get relief from your pain and let the osteopath know, as that could be quite useful information.

Good luck

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PPSN_JudyB
PPSN_JudyB  PPSN
27 Nov 2011
This is also known as Maigne syndrome after the French doctor who described it.

There are several patients ( some of them on here ) who have been diagnosed with this, but not in the UK.

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Socks
7 Dec 2011
Hello again

I went to see my physio today and asked about this.

He often treats people for this condition, but said that pattern of pain could be caused by lots of things. He would be looking out for movement which indicates that someone, in effect, hinges around the middle of their back and typically has a stiff lower back, as well as tenderness around the relevant joint. He said that pressing the joint can produce the referred pain in some patients.

Today he manipulated that joint and will do so again next week. He also used ultrasound. He thinks that's the best way to see if it's involved in the pain I'm experiencing. If I feel better then we're on to something.

I'm also having a laparoscopy in the new year to see if my endometriosis has regrown and is causing this pain.

I hope your trip to the osteopath was a success. How did you get on?

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