My aching back

[kenw]

I just got back from the doctor for lower back--left leg pain with referrals for the surgion and the therapist, take my choice. Has anyone out there had experience with back surgury or the therapy, and what was the results. Were you happy or just a waste of time. Any feeback would really be appreciated!

Thanks!!!

[a1bummer]

My wife had an issue with a crushed/bulging disk in her lower back pinching the sciatic nerve about 6-7 years ago. The doctors made her go through all kinds of rehab before they finally decided to get an MRI done. They found the budging disk pinching the nerve and performed surgery to relieve the pressure. It turned out that the rehab had just made things worse and by the time they performed the surgery, there was permanent damage done to the nerve. If they would've just done the MRI from the start, things would be much better for her now. Most of her issues have now gone away except for some numbness in her foot.

 

Live Long & Prosper,

Bill

[Hulign]

I have been dealing with a bulging disc for years L1S5. Had lousy results with injections. Rehab didn't seem to help much. Chiropractic has been pretty good at keeping it manageable for me. I just never could find anyone that liked the results from surgery (fusing or disc surgery). So for now I choose to live with it. Hope it goes better for you.

 

Frank

[Snaggletooth]

I had major back issues about 25 years ago. Damaged discs and the back was way out of line pinching the sciatic nerve so bad I was dragging my leg. It was killing me. My Dr. was only doing the pain and relaxer pills to deal with it. That didn't work for me at all.

 

I went to back specialist and he wanted to put me on the fast track for having the discs fused. From the war stories I had heard about fusing and the steel rods I was more than a little reluctant to have either one done.

 

Against the advice of both my Dr. and the specialist I decided to try a bone cracker. My Dr. even warned me that if I went to a chiropractor he would refuse to treat me again. Had a connection through an old friend and set up an appointment. First few visits were ok with a little relief but it was short term, a few days at best. About the 4th or 5th appointment he was applying more pressure and I could feel the movement in my back and feeling better for longer amounts of time. Then the next week he warned me he wanted to try to align the spine to the proper position. Well, go for it!

 

All I remember after he said that was a white light and stars and his assistant came running into the room. I sat up off the table and stood up and there was no pain at all and I was standing up straight.

 

I did monthly adjustments for about 6 months and then tapered off. Not a problem since.

 

The bone crackers don't seem to be seen in a favorable light by the medical community but I got to say, I'll go back in a flash if it ever acts up again.

 

My Dr. wasn't to pleased when I stopped in a picked all my records from the 15 years he had been treating me.

 

Maybe not for everybody but it worked wonders for me.

 

Mike

[teza51]

I had interbody fusion on my C4/5 joint in my neck some 28 yrs ago i have had very little problems since provided i dont do anything to stupid like lift heavy loads at full arms reach.Before it was fused i used to operate gantry cranes and if i turned my head suddenly to the left or right i would pass out from loss of blood flow to the brain very dangerous when working at heights.

[naturbar]

i had a head on motorcycle accident when i was about 21 years old (42 yrs.ago) - after a year of therapy i found no relief. i had a laminectomy/fusion and after another year of therapy i was doing good. i lost some range of motion in my spine (predictably) but it has been a success story for me. i'm certain they have newer technology than 42 yrs. ago. i wish you well in you quest for healing....i've said a prayer on your behalf.

[Rocket]

Chiropractic has been pretty good at keeping it manageable for me. I just never could find anyone that liked the results from surgery (fusing or disc surgery). So for now I choose to live with it. Hope it goes better for you.

 

Frank

 

For me Chiro first, then I'll see the doc for meds if needed. Been that way for 16 yrs, since I tried Chiro.

 

[OB-1]

I just got back from the doctor for lower back--left leg pain with referrals for the surgion and the therapist, take my choice. Has anyone out there had experience with back surgury or the therapy, and what was the results. Were you happy or just a waste of time. Any feeback would really be appreciated!

Thanks!!!

 

 

Everyone's body reacts differently. What works for me might not work for you and vice-versa. That said, I would defer surgery as long as possible. As others have stated, chiropractic care can often help. I think gentle manipulation is better than forceful cracking, but that's just my opinion based upon my wife's and my experiences.

 

My wife had L5-3 fused three years ago. She is certainly better off now than before surgery, but she was just told today that pain management is as good as it's gonna get, she's been through everything else. She still gets some relief from a Chiropractor that uses gentle manipulation.

 

I recommend that you do what you can to maintain and improve your physical conditioning. I think that building/maintaining good trunk, (back, abdomen, & chest), and leg muscles are critical for reduced pain. Just be careful and take it easy as you don't want to aggravate things.

 

Good luck and prayers for relief and healing sent...

[Eck]

Hey Ken,

sorry to hear of your pain and ailment.

Hope the results from your Dr., finds you well again soon.

[GaStar]

Dad had lower back pain. They had him on pain management with morphine and such. He ended up with doctor's at Emory and they did a fusion. He had degenerative discs. After the fusion he could still touch the floor. A few years later they had to go back and do the level above as well. He is full strength and rock and rollin at 60. Well worth it IMO! They asked him what his expectations were before the surgery like does he want to dress himself? He said that he wanted to do everything he did before the surgeries. And he is.

 

I can get more specific info if you like.

[midnightventure]

I went the physical therapy route. The therapist taught me exercises that helped a lot but when the pain went away I would get lazy until it came back. About 7 years ago I joined a gym and have been maintaining a routine that keeps my core strong. I haven't had the debillitating pain since.

[szach]

Had blown 2 disks.. l3 and l4... also had drop foot.. I had to do the surgery route.. but still had physical therapy. If you are in Ackworth, i have to recommend Nikki at Orthosport. Went to her for a year after surgery.. have not been back to her for almost 1.5 years now. She is a spinal therapy specialist.. and awesome. OK, OK.. she is also blonde and a sweet hart..

[BuckShot]

I twisted a lower disk 25 yrs ago and it would pinch nerves in my back. I would get migranes and see triple on some days. The doctor tried to give me musle relaxers and I handed the perscription back to him and told him I was going to see a chiropractor. He worked on me several times before everything fell back into place. Now I go for well visits when it bothers me. Depending on what I do to aggrivate it, depends on my lower back pain on any givin day. My advice would be to ask some friends and find a good chiropractor let him give you an exam and see what he says. Mine has turned people down and advised them to see a specialist for surgury. ( two people that I sent his way) My family doctor also did not have a bad thing to say about chiropractors and told me if it didn't work to come back and see him. Hope everything ends up fine, and you get some relief.

[Aussie Annie]

About five years ago a resident where I worked ran into the back of me with her electric wheelchair

Was sent to physio. He said I needed to see a surgeon!! Yep, back surgery for pinched nerve. My left leg was dying! [nerves]

now the accident three years ago has un-done surgery nerve pain and numbness in hip and upper thigh to knee.

Just be aware that if you have tingling, or numbness it could mean the nerve is pinched...and it can die!!