Ruptured Disk Issues

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StorminD

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Hi all, I'm a newbie here and am looking for some advice.

In March of this year, I threw back back out hauling 5 gallon buckets of water out to our pond. My pain at the time was muscular and I lived with it for awhile. In April, I went to a chiropractor and really didn't get any relief. In May, my back went into severe spasms and I ended up with a L4-5 rupture. I tried PT, two rounRAB of steroid injections (with no relief) and was told my next step would be surgery. I decided that I would hold off on surgery and see what would happen if I just waited things out. I gradually improved and by mid August I was pretty much pain free. That lasted only a couple of days as allergies had me sneezing for two days and I ended up blowing my back out again. I had surgery for the same rupture 14 years ago and am somewhat gunshy about surgery because I was in pain for about four years after that surgery. My question, is it possible to recover from this without surgery? Or am I going to have to go in for surgery?

Thanks,
Dave
 
Hello Dave,

Welcome to the board. Sorry you find yourself with more back problems.

It is difficult to answer your question without knowing more about the injury itself...whether your pain is caused by a disc herniation or whether something else is going on too, such as stenosis. If it is a herniation, it is possible for your back to calm down and for things to kind of go back to "normal."

It generally takes at least 6 weeks for the pain from a herniation to start to fade. In the meantime, you really need to restrict any activities that involve bending or twisting. No lifting at all until the disc issue has resolved. It is important to lie down whenever you have the opportunity -- 10 minutes every hour is ideal, (but not usually possible for most!!) This allows the discs to "unload" and helps the spine respond to the pressures of gravity. Anyway, lying down is preferable to sitting, which is preferable to standing or being on your feet. You can ice the affected lurabar area, and take ibuprophen-type products in an attempt to control the inflammation from the herniated disc.

While it is possible to heal, most people do not have the patience for the process. :( The pain in the beginning is very intense. Then you have to be very cautious and patient as you try to give your body a chance to heal on its own. Then, once healed, it is an ongoing job to keep yourself healthy and avoid a repitition of another rupture. Using good body mechanics, being aware of and practicing good posture, avoiding abusing the back by lifting too much weight, etc. avoiding activities that are hard on the back -- the twisting things, plus the jolting things like snowboarding, jet skiing, riding roller coasters, etc.

Hope this helps a little. Please feel free to post with further questions and/or comments. There are many on here who will have something to add to the conversation.

xx M:wave:M
 
Yes, it's a herniated disk. I do have a high pain level so I've been trying to tough it out. I'm fortunate enough to have a desk job so sitting is no problem. I would never have made if I had to stand all day. I have another visit with a different orthopedic in about another week. I just don't want to go through this whole healing process again only to sneeze or move the wrong way and be back at step one again.
 
Had an MRI back in June. The Doctor who gave me the steroid injections mentioned to my wife that it was an "impressive" rupture. I do have pain in my left butt, occasionally in my outer thigh and in my foot and ankle. My ankle "pops" a lot and that brings some relief.
 
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