Might an extra vertebrae at the L-5 level cause degenerative disc disease & numerous disc surgeries?

Question

I've been diagnosed with DDD, had 3 disc surgeries at the L-4-L-5 level-am trying to find if there's any connection between the disc problems and an extra vertebrae, and what possible problems an extra vertebrae below L-5 could cause. No one can give me any specifics as of yet. Dealing with continual pain, recurring numbness/weakness in legs, some peripheral neuropathy. Some doctors have been unfamiliar with the issue of an extra vertebrae, others say up to 20% of population may have an extra vertebrae, needless to say, I'm confused!

Answer 1

My mom has one and has not had issue with it, she is 71 and doctors said if anything, as long as its not pressing on a nerve it serves to strenghten the spine. I'm sorry to say this but I think you will be living with chronic pain for the rest of your life. I too have DDD and arthritis, my L4-L5 is also affected(which is very common)my neck is fused at 3levels. You will be seeing all kinds of docs through the years trying to find answers regarding your back and pain, physical therapy, massage therapy, occupational therapy. As you can see, there is alot of therapy out there, but no known fixes for back/neck/spine pain, simply ways to help you feel better for a little while. I currently take Methadone for pain.....this has worked better than anything I have ever taken. I still am unable to work, but I am moving better with the pain being reduced. I wish you good luck in your journey, there will be times where you are completely frustrated and angry, depression is common among the chronic pain sufferers of the world, and boredom can take over if you don't find ways to stay active. Walk as much as possible, it does help. Take care.

Answer 2

I had 3 laminectomies,(ruptured disc repair surgery) 2 in 1980 and 1 in 1982. Had 3 different ruptured disc, each repaired with the surgery meaning they opened me up, scraped away the disc material that had come out and closed me back up. I currently have a bulging disc that bothers now and then if I over do. The pain before surgery was horrid and the surgeries were great but I don't know if they dot hat any more, after all, that was a long time ago. Never had the spine fusion thing, the thought of that scares me. I don't want anything fused! I do have permanent nerve damage from the ruptured disc. I cannot lay flat without extreme pain and cannot sleep except in a hospital bed so I can adjust the position to suit me. No one wants to fix the bulging disc as I have lots of scar tissue from the other surgeries so I cope. Good luck.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Might an extra vertebrae at the L-5 level cause degenerative disc disease & numerous disc surgeries?
I've been diagnosed with DDD, had 3 disc surgeries at the L-4-L-5 level-am trying to find if there's any connection between the disc problems and an extra vertebrae, and what possible problems an extra vertebrae below L-5 could cause. No one can give me any specifics as of yet. Dealing with...

Answer 4

Have you seen a neurosurgeon