L5/S1 Disk Bulge and Sciatica

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hopeismyenergy

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Hi All,

Nice to meet you all on this Board.

I have hurt my back while playing Tennis and developed a Bulge at L5/S1 (indicated in MRI).
I am right now on Pain MeRAB from past month. I have unbearable leg and back pain if I stop the pain meRAB.

I have been visting a chiro and starting with some exercises.

I'm worried if I will ever be able to get out of this pain.

What would be my options to consider and to what extent does the Minimally Invasive surgeries like IDET, Nucleoplasty, Percutaneous Disectomy help.

When I browse internet, I see that the above techniques have fairly good % of success rate in various studies. But the postings in this Board indicate the other way.

Have any one of you faced the similar situation.

Thanks in advance.

-Hopefull Guy
 
Have you had a consultation with an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and/or Neurosurgeon? They can look at the MRI and do an exam to see what treatments are viable for you.
 
Hopefull Guy,

I have a bulging disc at L5/S1, as a result of an auto accident in June 09. After 30 PT visits, chiropractic care, and very recently (less than a week) of epidural injections, I have no relief. I was told that surgery is my next option unless I can live with the pain. At 35, I can hardly imagine dealing with this for the rest of my life. I know that some people get relief from some treatments, but it seems to me that a bulging disc at this location brings forth nerve pain/damage that is hard to treat. I don't want to discourage you, but just wanted to share my experience. If anything, I offer my sympathy! Best of luck and I hope you find relief soon.
 
I have a badly central herniated, blown out disc at L5/S1 and am successfully using epidural injections to treat my pain. Granted I am on fentanyl patches for cervical and thoracic problems. But the bi-lateral leg pain is definitely knocked out by the injections. They last me about 5 months each round. I get them on both sides.

If this is your only problem = there is a big possibility that it will improve with time. You may continue to experience flares in your life. However patience is the key as well as protecting the injury while it works to get better. In terms of injury like this a month is a very short amount of time. If you are open to alternative therapy - acupuncture is thought to be very helpful for the sciatica.

In other research you will find- studies comparing people who did surgery vs. non surgical over 3-5 years comparison and they were found to have same outcome.

Ice, rest, anti-inflammatories along with what pain medications you are using. Massage works for many. There are these topical prescription lidocaine patches that work well on the back pain portion. Some people are helped with neurontin or lyrica.

Totally feel for ya, at least I was very familiar with bad pain from my other problems before this came on. I have had other spine surgeries and they don't always take away pain - so I am trying everyting but surgery on this problem.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for your replies.

I visited an Orthopedic Surgeon. He asked to go with Conservative treatment for a month. I will take his opinion in my next Appt, meanwhile wanted to check with the people here about IDET, Nucleoplasty etc.
 
IDET held high hopes but I believe the long term studies have not shown any real long term advantage. About 8-10 years ago IDET was all the rage and often recommended in Workers' Comp cases. These days it is not seen as a viable option by many WC carriers from what I've seen. You'd have to look at long term and recent findings.
 
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