Herniated Disc - Lateral-g Forums

akrapovic · #1 03-24-2009, 08:43 PM

I herniated my L5-S1 and L4-L5. Pain is brutal. I've been doing physical therapy which has helped but it seems like results are mixed so far. I'm set up for a steroid shot in the back tomorrow and was looking to see if this has helped anyone with a similar injury. If this doesn't work I'm looking at surgery so wish me luck!!

Thanks in advance

98ssnova · #2 03-24-2009, 08:54 PM

I hope the shots work out for ya. Never had back problems hopefully never will but I am only 30

awr68 · #3 03-24-2009, 08:57 PM

Oh man, I've felt that back pain before after a crushed vertebrae!!

Best of luck with the shot tomorrow and the rest of the recovery!!

akrapovic · #4 03-24-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Oh man, I've felt that back pain before after a crushed vertebrae!!
Best of luck with the shot tomorrow and the rest of the recovery!!

Thanks, brutal isn't it.

Quote:

I hope the shots work out for ya. Never had back problems hopefully never will but I am only 30

Thanks, I hope they work too. I'm not a triathlete but up until my injury I ran 3 miles 3-5 times a week at 7-8 minute pace. Point is be careful, don't lift and twist while balancing yourself on a latter.....By the way I'm 29.

mazspeed · #5 03-24-2009, 09:31 PM

I have had the same thing on many occasions. I never considered surgery though. I took a lot of vicoden and saw my chiropractor, and used a lot of ice. Heat will make it worse. All the doctor would do is perscribe vicoden, and the chiropractor treated the problem.

jbutlr · #6 03-24-2009, 10:28 PM

If you have not already, try spinal decompression. It saved my old man from having surgery.

camaro2nv · #7 03-24-2009, 11:48 PM

L5-S1 For me. DONT DO SURGERY! Its just not worth the risk of making things worse. Ive had three surgeries and I still have a TON of pain. Im 34 and have two rods and screws in my back. I also have a full disk replacement. My back will never be the same. I now have upper back cramping so bad theres days I just cant take the pain. I feel for you but if I had to do it all over again I would have just lived with the pain I had.

bulldog19 · #8 03-25-2009, 03:27 AM

The shot will help. As the others have said yes continue the PT and do so for the rest of your life! I ruptured a disc when i was 22 visited a chiropractor for months then went to a Orthopedic surgeon who prescribed PT and Pain Management. After 6-months of this did not get any better so surgery needed to be done. I'm 39 now and have since had 2-discs removed and fusion since then. The disc removal/degeneration/fusion was a result of the original ruptured disc. In my case both operations were necessary. I got 3-opinions B4 making the decision on both surgeries. 1 thing that was discovered was that i had a narrowed spinal column that when there was any inflamation/swelling i would feel more discomfort than the average person. Keep up with the PT and follow the Dr.'s orders in regards to lifting, sitting etc. Also one thing that the chiropractor told me and i still do to this day is to no longer carry your wallet in back pocket but front pocket. Sitting on your wallet throws off the balance of your spine.

Tiger · #9 03-25-2009, 04:27 AM

pain down the legs.. ohh yes I know what you are talking about!
I had a major hernia, I and had my surgery nov 2007.
It wasnt indeed a normal surgery as they had to take the disc out and put two titanium spacers in instead, then it was four months waiting for fusion.
Some pain is still present from time to time but surgery had to be done because I was risking to be paralized.

If I were you I'd get three of four opinions and do the surgery if needed.

chevyIIpost · #10 03-25-2009, 06:22 AM

IMO 8 out of 10 Chiro's are qwacks!and just in it for the money. I have been to 12 Chiro's since is was 21 (now 44) and I have enjoyed the positive benefits of 3 of them. I still go once a month to Dr. Lockhart for maintaince and occasional problems. First injury was on the job resulting in a bulged/herniated disc that just about made me helpless because I was youg and tuff for too long. The good Lord was looking out for me and my First Chiro was a good one and he cared. I did all my PT and more and followed the Dr. instruction to the "T" and I have never had any further problems with this part of my Lumbar area. A motor cycle accident and a compression fracture in the T5 dicsc still gets grumpy if I don't take care of it. I do stretches and exercises regularly for maintainance. I also have an inversion pod that helps with decompression. IMO surgery would be my last stand and only done after alot of research. I have a friend that is a nurse at an orthopedic hospital. From what she has told me and described Doctors are much like mechanics, some bad, alot of average, and a few very good ones! Find the very good one as it will make a hugh differance if you go that direction. Start looking now while your head is clear and you are motivated because when you are at the point of needing surgery you will not be in a good frame of mind to make the BEST choice.