Bone Spur In Spine

[drw]

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE FORUM. YESTERDAY I WENT TO THE ER FOR SEVERE BACK PAIN. AFTER A BACK X RAY I WAS TOLD I HAVE A BONE SPUR GROWING OUT OF MY SPINAL COLUMN. DOCTOR HAS SENT ME TO A SPECIALIST FOR SPINAL INJURIES.

I WAS TOLD BY THE X RAY TECH SPINAL BONE SPURS DO NOT FARE WELL TO SURGICAL TREATMENT, THEY PRESCRIBE PAIN KILLERS AND A WALKER, I'M CURRENTLY ON A CANE. THEY TOLD ME THEY DON'T OPERATE ON SPINAL BONE SPURS ANY MORE

BECAUSE THEY EITHER GROW BACK WORSE OR THE PERSON CAN EXPERIENCE WORSE PAIN AND COMPLETE PARALIZATION. I'M NOW HAVING TROUBLE GOING TO THE BATHROOM HAVE TO BE IN BED ALL DAY NOW.

MY QUESTION FOR THE HADIT FORUM IS:

SINCE I AM ALREADY RATED FOR BOTH CERVICAL AND LUMBAR SPINAL SC'S BY THE VA

CAN I NOW FILE A NEW CLAIM FOR THE SPINAL BONE SPUR AS SECONDARY TO THE CERVICAL AND LUMBAR SC'S I ALREADY HAVE.

MY CURRENT RATE IS 100% P AND T SCHEDULER

HOW WILL THAT EFFECT MY SCHEDULER 100% P AND T?

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT TO MY SCHEDULER 100% P AND T?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

GRT

[Vync]

Drw,

Welcome to Hadit. Surgery is an option, but other routes like physical therapy or epidural pain blocks can give you relief. Yes, bone spurs can grow back. They are part of your body's defense system, ironically.

When you go to your specialist, try to see a neurologist. Preferably, not a resident. Ask for a senior staff physician. You don't want a resident poking around in your back.

Some doctors prescribe bed rest, but others want you to get moving around.

You need to report problems going to the bathroom to your doctor asap. If they gave you strong pain meds, it could be the cause, but let the doctor make that decision. My doctor gave me some laxatives which helped make it easier to go, which caused me less pain.

X-ray's can show the presence of a spur, but you probably need an MRI so they can see exactly what is going on in there. You could have just a spur or other problems. In some cases, people develop stenosis or may have other material floating around in the joint. X-rays can only show so much.

What are your cervical and lumbar SC ratings for?

[drw]

THEY TOLD ME IN THE ER THAT SPINAL BONE SPUR OPERATIONS HAVE FALLEN OUT OF FAVOR BECAUSE THE OUTCOMES ARE NOT VERY GOOD.

MY QUESTION AT THIS POINT IS CAN I FILE A CLAIM FOR THE SPINAL BONE SPUR AS SECONDARY TO BOTH MY SPINAL LUMBAR AND SPINAL CERVICAL CONDITIONS WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN GRANTED A RATED SERVICE CONNECTION

THE LITTLE I HAVE HEARD SO FAR IS NOT GOOD ABOUT SPINAL BONE SPURS.

MOST IMPORTANTLY NOW FOR ME IS, DO I HAVE A CLAIM FOR THE SPINAL BONE SPUR AS SECONDARY TO MY OTHER

SPINAL RATED SC'S

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO MY SCHEDULER 100% P AND T AT THIS POINT?

THANKS

[71M10]

drw,

It is un-likely you can get an additional seperate rating for the bone spur. If it is causing nerve problems that are not included in your current rating you should be eligible for consideration of whatever additional disability it causes. However, since you are 100% schedular it probably isn't worth the risk of having VA open your file and examine you unless you have something significant to gain like housebound or aid and attendance.

My Nickles worth,

Tyler

[Vync]

Drw,

71M10 is right. You could file for it as secondary, but the VA might state that it is already covered in your existing disability.

Exactly what are your back ratings?

Half the docs in ER's are residents and don't have much real world medical experience. Also, they are usually not neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons. My first recommendation would be to see a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon, as they are specialist in that area.

Remember, bone spurs could be temporary or permanent. Sometimes they grow and then get worn down over time. A friend of mine had spinal bone spurs and six months of physical therapy three times a week made a big difference, preventing the need for surgery.

[drw]

Drw,

71M10 is right. You could file for it as secondary, but the VA might state that it is already covered in your existing disability.

Exactly what are your back ratings?

Half the docs in ER's are residents and don't have much real world medical experience. Also, they are usually not neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons. My first recommendation would be to see a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon, as they are specialist in that area.

Remember, bone spurs could be temporary or permanent. Sometimes they grow and then get worn down over time. A friend of mine had spinal bone spurs and six months of physical therapy three times a week made a big difference, preventing the need for surgery.

I WILL GO AHEAD AND FILE 21-4138 GO FROM THEIR.

[jbasser]

I dont see an increase if it is just a spurr. UIt depends on your ROM and iof the spurr is pressing on a nerve. Then you can file for radiculpathy.