what is degeneration and massive central herniation of the L4-L5 and L5-S1 discs?

Question

i am in a lot of pain so i had an M.R.I i just would like a real answer from someone who has maybe had this or someone who knows what this is..I'M REALLY WORRIED

Answer 1

A real pain in the neck!
It usually means surgury. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

Answer 2

I had 4 prolapsed discs in my lower back, the sciatic pain went all the way to my toes, which got to the point were I was walking slowly with a limp, couldn't sit properly without constantly moving around and car journeys were a big no! I tried all sorts of therapies, I wanted to avoid surgery at all costs, but I must admit that I was willing to try anything cause the pain was that bad. As a last throw of the dice before considering surgery I tried swimming. All I can say is that it worked wonders! I saw an improvement almost imediatley and with in a year I was backpacking around SE Asia. So if that's not testiment to the positive effects of swimming I don't know what is! Get in the pool regulary, like 3 time a week. First of all just do some gentle movements, nothing to sudden or that makes the pain worse. Then build it up slowly but steadily and get the lengths in. I now do between 9-12 kilometers a week but even when I did a fraction of this I saw a vast improvement. I think the key is obvious... when in the water most the pressure is lifted, you naturally re-algin and you get movement back into your problem areas. Yes I still get the odd ache in the cold weather and I get a bit sore if sat for a while.... but it's back to the pool and the best medicine! Give it a try, good luck and let me know how you get on? :)

Answer 3

You are right to be very concerned. Degeneration is normal...it is the normal process whereby the discs are reduced in mass by wear. Herniation , however is not normal and generally requires surgery to fix. The disc acts as a cushion between your vertebrae and also provides the space that your sciatic nerve needs as it runs down your spine and into your leg. The disc has a hard shell with a gelatinous filling, much like a jelly doughnut. When herniated, the gelatinous material comes out of the disc, or causes the disc to bulge asymetrically, often compressing the sciatic nerve and causing the pain you are feeling. You may also have numbness or tingling in your legs and feet. You need to see a Neurosurgeon who will in all probability talk to you about a discodectomy. There is also a relatively new procedure called spinal fusion where a titanium implant is put in to replace the disc.

Answer 4

hey, went through this last year. I have degeneration of L4/L5 and had a herniated disc. I feel your pain. They, the orthopidiac docs, tried therapy and I tried chiropractor. Nothing helped. Finally the pain was so intense that i opted for surgury. I had the herniation cut out. Though this got rid of most of the pain and i was back to work in 4 weeks, i will always have back problems. DO NOT RELY ON A CHIROPRACTOR!!!!!!!! When you are to this point, the chiropractor just keeps working on you for the money. Sounds like surgery is your only option. I wish that i had made that decission sooner. I lived with the intense pain, so bad that i couldn't walk, for 6 months. Like I said, 4 weeks after surgery, I was back to work. Good luck.

Answer 5

This is a VERY serious situation you are in. Not only am I a student nurse, I have also been through this myself. Degeneration of a disk means that it is basically going away. Dissolving. Which means that your boney verterbraes are getting close to touching each other. Basically the cushion (disk) is getting thinner. The Massive central herniation means that the disk is bulging in the middle. (CENTRALLY) Basically, a disk can buldge to the right or left or towards the spinal cord. My L-4 L-5 disk S-1 buldged toward my spinal cord. A piece of the disk broke off and went under the spinal cord itself. The set or bundle of nerve roots is called the (CAUDA EQUINA) . You should go on the internet and go to yahoo. Type in Cauda Equina. This will tell you many things about the area that the L4 L5 disk is affecting. I was paralyzing from the waist down due to this. My back hurt so bad that I was in misery. I hurt in my lower back, buttocks, and down my legs. It can even effect your bowels and bladder. You MUST SEE a Neurologist!!! If you need me...to talk to you, you can pm me at swf317 on yahoo or email me at [e-mail]..THIS IS SERIOUS...

Answer 6

Your spinal disks are the cushion between the vertebrae of the spine that allow for movement, and protect the spinal cord and nerves from being pinched by bone.

Disks are made up of two parts, a tougher outer layer, and a gel like inner layer. The outer layer keeps the inside in, and allows it to function.

Degeneration is basically a break down of the disk, it has not 'slipped" or herniated, but it is damaged either by trauma, too much compression, or genetic degeneration.

A herniation is when the outer layer of the disk is broken, allowing the soft inner part to seep out, i believe central means the disk has ruptured into the spinal column, which puts an intense amount of pain and pressure on the nerves. The disk will have lost most of all of its function.

The options you face will most likely be surgery, where they will fuse together the vertebrae in question to keep them from pinching and damaging nerve tissue, and physical therapy where they will strengthen the back muscles and improve your posture so as to achieve much of the same effect.

Surgery is not only painful and costly, but it shares a high amount of risk.

Start with physical therapy and homeopathic pain relief. Acupuncture may prove helpful in your situation. Give it as much time as possible before you opt for surgery.

Answer 7

It means that not only are those discs degenerating (being eaten away) but they are also herniating (bulging or swelling and inflamed). Depending on the severity it could mean corrective surgery. It is pretty common but while the doctors figure out what the plan of attack is, you need to take it easy and do not over work your back. Manage your daily and career routines to define less straining and stressful routines that help rather than hurt. research is a good idea too. Bottom line, just be as careful as possible!

Answer 8

If you're unfortunate enough to live in Ontario and have to wait months for an MRI and then months for an orthopedic surgeon tell you that they limit surgeries to cancers of the spine or other life threatening spinal conditions, or, they would operate if you had to take morphine every day for six months, then you will understand my frustration. I was severely disabled with a condition very much like yours for eight months, then had residual problems for years afterwards. I am now in my fifties, when this area tends to get less flexible. This sounds bad but it actually stabilizes to some degree. Older people are much less prone to injury, though way less flexible.
I did physiotherapy and learned how to do pressups to ease my discs back into place. I also picked up a copy of Dr. Hamilton Hall's newest back care book. It helps me now to do his recommended self tests when I injure my back, to find out how serious it is.
Your condition sounds serious but if you can find a good surgeon who is willing to remove the herniation and fuse the remaining vertebrates, you will get some relief. You will always have some problems though they may be minor. I never did have surgery. My herniations dissolved or shrivelled up. I'm an inch and a half shorter than I used to be. My kids find this very amusing. I have stenosis - narrowed spinal canal probably full of bits of disc. Surprisingly, I'm doing very well. I now own a dog and walk a lot. This has helped my general fitness level, because you get into a vicious cycle where you are in too much pain to exercise but too bad a shape to prevent injury. I had to stop riding a bike, playing baseball and tennis. Swimming actually bothers me sometimes - causing spasms from cold water. Best of luck. You will come through this.

Answer 9

degeneration- broken down or worn down. They are usually talking about the spaces between the bone (the soft stuff). This can mean that the bone is touching or just closer to touching
central herniation- central as in not left or right top or bottom but right in the middle. Hernia- where the soft stuff goes out an area it should not (usually by the nerves- which is what makes it hurt so bad).
this site has some good info and shows a picture of where the disks you are taking about are in your back http://www.espine.com/herniateddisc.html

Answer 10

L4 and L5 is in your lumbar spine. It sounds like your disk has maybe caved in on itself. I suffered for years with this and finally succumbed to surgery last Oct. It's been almost 8 months and the pain is manageable, nothing like it was. But I have two huge ugly scars on my back and huge pins and screws holding my back together. If you can avoid surgery, do. They did a lumbar fusion where they take a part of my hip bone and use it to replace disk. Pretty scary operation, and it hurt like he!l. Good luck to you though.

Answer 11

Sounds really bad Sweetie I'll keep you in my prayers I have a bad back mine is all lower also . the other people that have answered your question are right about going to your Dr. you need to take care of it before it is too late GOOD LUCK!!! I know I'm going to my chiropractor today at 5:45 to get adjustments but that doesn't always work for everyone