Herniated disc

[Texaus 377]

Diagnosed with a pretty severely herniated disc in the lower lumbar region. I have severe sciatic pain in ass running all the way down leg to foot. Medrol pack followed by 5 days of prednisone did absolutely nothing for the pain, it actually got worse. Finally got my mri and appt with ortho spine surgeon. Have referral to physica therapy and pain doc while they are working with my insurance to approve/schedule laminectomy. Couple of questions for those who have been through this.

 

Surgeon gave me gabapentin and that has significantly reduced my pain level. Should I even bother with physical therapy and pain doc and just hold out for the surgery? Not to mention I am scared shitless of needles and pain doc administering one to my spine is a fuck no.

 

It is my understanding that physical therapy isn’t gonna make this herniation go away. It just might help mitigate the pain and make life bearable. Is this right? If so, what’s the point of it, just give me the knife and fix it. Right?

 

Is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the spine the correct doc for this, or should I be talking to a neurosurgeon? I’ve had someone suggest this to me.

 

Probably some other questions I can’t think of right now. Anyone else done this surgery with success would be nice to hear.

[LonghornJones 837]

I had/have a herniated disc between C5 & C6. The needles did not help me (I had 2 in that area, 1 in the lumbar are for a pinched nerve). The pain in my left shoulder and arm were like nothing I can describe...for a week. Time eventually made life livable, but I would like a disc fusion procedure in the near future. I tried therapy and thought it was a joke. I felt like massages only made things worse. 

I will be following this thread closely for others who have gone through this.

[torre 1285]

The surgeon recommended a laminectomy ?    Do you have stenosis ?    With due respect,  I would get a second opinion unless you fully trust the surgeon.  Ortho with spine speciality is best option,  imo.

I had a herniated L5/S1 disc (lowest disc) several years ago,  no stenosis.    Did not have the pain as you describe,  just a loss of strength in my leg/foot.   Though you are correct  it never goes away, physical therapy alleviated my issue and surgery was not required.    Still have to do stretches.   Physical therapy is normally a prerequisite before surgery depending on the case.

Do research and make surgery your final option.    Not all back surgeries are completely successful.

 

 

 

[Texaus 377]

No to the stenosis. It’s the minimally invasive laminectomy. Yea, he recommended surgery. He did say the physical therapy and injections at pain doc are an option, but at some point he saw me throwing in the towel because of severity and location of herniation.

After contemplating months of physical therapy, dealing with pain, and still have the herniation (not gonna go away with PT), verses immediate sciatic pain relief and removal of the herniated material with surgery, surgery seems like the pretty clear choice. Everything I’ve seen suggests the operation is pretty straightforward and usually successful. 90 minute outpatient procedure.

[Cosimo de' Medici 121]

Had L4/L5 lammy in 2004 and had to go back for the fusion a year later due to bone spurs.  Make sure lammy is the right move. It might fix the immediate nerve impingement but create an even bigger problem in the process.

Of course, mine was a rupture. I've heard plenty get through a herniation with PT. Try traction sessions at least before the cut

Edited July 23, 2018 by Cosimo de' Medici
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[torre 1285]

1 hour ago, Texaus said:

No to the stenosis. It’s the minimally invasive laminectomy.

 

Good news  !     Best to you on the procedure.

I would still recommend a couple of PT sessions.   They will show you how to take care of your back in the future. 

[Kringelbert Fishtybuns 943]

How old are you?  If you are on the young end and are active, I would not get surgery. I would only consider it now if I was on the way out.

I had a C5-C6 and the pain at the time had me wishing for the end.  I was ready for surgery as soon as they could schedule it.  After about 6 weeks, things finally calmed down and it just got to be a pain in the neck.  A month of physical therapy, the pain was almost completely gone.  It has been 3 years now and every now and then it aches a little.  Some ibuprofen and doing my exercises and the pain goes away.

Also, if you are carrying around some extra weight it would be good to lose that and do some core training to help your back as well.

[Texaus 377]

40yo. 6’ 200lbs. Should probably be about 185. Exercise pretty regularly and am active with golf and 3 kids. There was no injury that I can pinpoint, pain just gradually got worse over the course of about 6 weeks, culminating in me only being able to crawl around the floor and piss shit into a bucket for four days straight. Currently I can stand for about 5 minutes before sciatic pain forces me to lie down, sitting position is impossible.

[Nolacycling 893]

swimming helped me

[George 491]

Just pain, or do you have loss of function/movement. I thinks that’s an factor to push toward  PT vs surgery. 

[Texaus 377]

Just pain, I certainly have loss of function and movement because of it though. Dr did check if I still had strength in leg or experiencing any numbness/loss of feeling. I’m not experiencing problems with either of those at this point.

[Chuychanga 133]

If the disc is just bulged PT might work it back in.  If it's ruptured and the gel is pressing on the nerve root then you aren't going to PT that gel back into the disc any more than you could put the toothpaste back into the tube.  Mine was the L5-S1.  I had surgery 6 months ago.  Microdiscectomy.  It was the best thing I ever did.  My symptoms were sciatic pain that gradually got worse to the point of severe.  After surgery I was instantly pain-free.  6 hours after my surgery I was walking around the neighborhood.  Couldn't lift stuff for a while, but I'm full speed now.  Glad I didn't postpone surgery any longer than I did.  

[Texaus 377]

That is very nice to hear and result I’m hoping for.

[Brewin’1up 34]

I had bulging disks, and the epidural injections worked wonders for me. After suffering with the pain and being effectively bedridden for ~2 weeks, I was able to get an MRI, and later an appointment with the Pain Specialists, she recommended trying the injections first. The day of the procedure, I hobbled into her office using two canes like I was one of "Jerry's Kids - and walked out a couple of hours later carrying the canes. Core strengthening and an inversion table helped recovery as well. But every now and then, I'll bend wrong or pick up something and feel that little twinge of pain that reminds me that I'm not as young as I used to be, and need to be careful. Personally, I'd eliminate all other options before going under the knife. 

[Kringelbert Fishtybuns 943]

Your body can remove the disc material via resorption all by itself depending on the tear with time.  The PT is simply to alleviate the pain symptoms via strengthening the associated muscles to take the load off the disc to allow the time needed for it.  You are young enough that I wouldn't consider surgery for a couple of months.  If it was a fusion I would tell them to go take a hike, but I'm not sure on the recurrence or worsening of problems/loss of motion with a laminectomy. 

I would encourage you to seriously talk to them about managing the pain better for a month or so.  Once the pain is okay enough to where you can sleep and think of stuff other than the pain for 10 minutes, you outlook may change.  

[Texaus 377]

Ha! You noticed I was up posting at 4am. Seriously, the lack of sleep from this shit is really wearing me down.

It’s my understanding that after recovery, with laminectomy you basically get your old life back 100%.

[Brewin’1up 34]

PM Knoxtnhorn - he's going through the same back injury/pain shit you are right now.

[gurt 748]

One piece of advise I will offer is, as much as you can, keep moving. Do not stay bed ridden. Get it up to walk around, even if just for a few steps, every 30-60 minutes. It will make a difference if you keep at it.

[torre 1285]

5 hours ago, Texaus said:

Ha! You noticed I was up posting at 4am. Seriously, the lack of sleep from this shit is really wearing me down.

It’s my understanding that after recovery, with laminectomy you basically get your old life back 100%.

https://www.texpts.com/

Take time to go to a PT just for a consult even if by phone.   Couple of sessions may provide temporary relief until surgery.   Texas Physical Therapists (TPTS) helped me greatly.   They take most insurance and have several locations in the Austin area.    Very professional, qualified staff.

Be patient my friend.     Realize that as you begin your 40's,  your body needs more time to heal. 

[Texaus 377]

Muchos gracias everyone. Dr. Office said 1-3 weeks before surgery scheduled. Although I’m scared of the spinal injection, I am considering one, reluctantly, while I wait. Can anyone describe that procedure? How bad is it? Keep in mind I have to take a Xanax before I go to the dentist for a cleaning.

[DexterMorgan 14]

I had the spinal injections for a herniated disc, and they worked wonders. I was completely debilitated for a couple weeks leading up to them, so I understand where you’re at.


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