L5 disc problem?

Question

I went to see a chiropractor 2 weeks ago after suffering with a very bad back for 11-12 weeks, (Doctor treating as acute muscle spasm). I have now been told that it's L5 S something and it's either prolapsed or heriated . I am waiting for a NHS, MRI scan and also a private MRI scan (see which ones comes first) I can't have any treatment until I have the results as the chiropractor needs to see if its treatable or operable. Any one had either treatments and have they worked,
many thanks

My concern is I'm in constant pain in my lower back but it's also affecting my sciatic nerve, tingling and numbness right down my right leg but recently started getting a throbbing toothache type pain in my right knee and hip. And also shooting pains from the base of my back that travells out like a firework.

Answer 1

My husband has a lot of back problems with his discs, he had the MRI scan, which shows in great detail what is wrong with your discs, his discs are crumbling and his has lost a lot of fluid around his discs.
Every year he goes and has injections in his spine, a mixture of slow realeassing pain killers and steroids, to build up the discs. This is for his siatica.
It does help for about 6 months of the year.
He has tried physio which did not work, heat treatment, and has tablets for the pain.
You need to try and be carefull with your back as it can damage very easy, try to avoid lifting and over stretching.
Good luck with the MRI scan and hopefully it is not anything serious.

Answer 2

MRI scans are the method of choice for diagnosing disc prolapses or problems involving the nerves in the back. The L5S1 disc is a very common area for problems. However, what your chiropractor might not have told you is that a large percentage of people with a disc proplase in that area will get better within 12 months without having surgical treatment or chiropractric treatment. It is a good idea to try non-surgical treatment from someone who is suitably skilled but a chiropractor is not the right person to be advising about surgery. If you want to know more about the surgical options you need to see an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in spinal surgery (not an orthopaedic surgeron who does occaisional back surgery) or a neurosurgeon who does disc surgery. The other thing to be aware of is wasting lots of money in private healthcare when in many areas of the UK the NHS can provide a free service which is only slightly slower than private healthcare.

Answer 3

Yes I had this. My advice would be no more chiropractice until you've had your scan. I paid for mine, had to travel from just outside Bristol to Cheltenham, but it was worth it. Also I got the doctor to refer me to a specialist, (he first referred me to a general orthopaedic one, but he in turn referred me on to a spinal specialist). The up shot was that I had spinal stenosis and other things wrong that required surgery. I had to wait a few months as I couldn't afford to pay for that on top of everything else. I had to have titanium rods and screws put in my back in place of the two (L4 & L5) discs that had disintegrated. Anyway, my point is, go careful until you have been seen by someone who knows what they are doing. Take care and good luck. 80% of people make a full recovery from the surgery.

Answer 4

I haven't had any treatments but i am in nursing school and I was with an Orthapedic Doctor during my clinical rotation........He told me anytime you have lower back problems Like in your case with the Lumbar 5 and the Sacral 1, once you have surgery where they fuse them together it causes problems later with the vertebra above the fusion site like the L4 and L3 in your case. They have more options than just fusion nowadays, but i wouldn't recommend the fusion. My uncle just had it done and he's had a very long recovery time......Hope this helps a little

Answer 5

yes, I have L4 and L5 hernation.
I avoided surgery with exersice to keep my back strong and my chiractor helped me.

Avoid back surgery as long as you can