The doctor just told me that i have a herniated disc and some other problems in my lower back. He doesn't recommend surgery, just rest and maybe physical therapy. What can I do to get it healed as quickly as possible and try to retain as much muscle mass as possible?
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08-05-2008, 07:34 PM #1Registered User
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herniated disc in lower back... need help!
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08-05-2008, 09:54 PM #2Registered User
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you need a second opinion... I had spinal fusion at S1 L5 (see avatar) i had two very severe herniated disks. Once they "herniate" they cannot go back on their own. I am not saying you need surgery at all. What i am saying get a second opinion. I received 3 opinions prior to having my surgery. If i were you i would see a specialist or two at the very least. If you want info on my surgery let me know...
Question: are you having pain in the backs of your legs... (back of knees, hams, calfs???)Last edited by MR.COOPER; 08-05-2008 at 09:57 PM.
You can judge the character of a man by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him!!!
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08-06-2008, 03:27 AM #3Physiotherapist
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Originally Posted by bigspit
Research McKenzie back exercises.The science is out there!
www.thegymphysio.com.au
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08-06-2008, 02:43 PM #4Registered User
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i had fusion at L5-S1 also after trying everything possible before having surgery, def need to see a few other doctors with you MRI and get some other opinions!
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08-06-2008, 06:07 PM #5
go see someone who does decompression therapy like a chiropractor (my hubby is one!)
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08-06-2008, 07:01 PM #6Registered User
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not to bash chiropractors, but a lot of times they do more damage than good. Ive seen plenty of patients come through the ER with fractured vertebrae from chiros...Originally Posted by bballmom
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08-06-2008, 07:03 PM #7ndn
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1st off avoiding surgery is the best anyone can do if at all possible. 2nd a fusion is the worst form of surgery there is because once you have it done they can never do anything else surgery or other wise to help you. you loose range of motion and all but guarantee yourself future surgery on the disk above and below the fused on because of increased pressure from the lack of a disc.Originally Posted by MR.COOPER
bigspit i would just do what the Doc has laid out for you because letting it heal and reduce on it's own is what you want, believe me on that. most people i talk to that have had fusions done regret it down the road because it totally screws up the spine in many cases. new surgical practices such as disc replacement surgery show great promise but it is still new so maybe in a few years it will be more common. i have 2 herniated discs in my back for 16 years now that have given me zero problems and one that just occurred in my neck that is healing fine on it's own so there is hope. ask your doc about traction at physical therapy, worked very well on my neck.
wanted to add that your original question, no there is nothing that will make it heal faster and if you push it you will loose big.Last edited by Al Swearengen; 08-06-2008 at 07:07 PM.
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08-06-2008, 07:09 PM #8Registered User
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what he said. Back surgery is one of the last things that u want to deal with. Try therapy, cortizone shots, etc. and have surgery be a last case scenario. I have a herniated disc and after 6 months or so the pain left and ive been virtually symptom free for 2-3 years now. I get the occassional pain, cant do heavy deads or anything but no big deal.Originally Posted by Al Swearengen
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08-06-2008, 07:45 PM #9Registered User
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yes back surgery does suck to deal with but in my case it helped as well as many others. i run the risk of having another disk go bad but thats why i take care of myself and dont do anything to make the situation worse than it already is now.
i talked to my doctor about the disk replacement but in his practice he has had better success with fusion vs that so far, but then again its really pretty new in the US so im sure it will come along with time. would def give PT, injections, pain management, back brace or watever the hell else you can before surgery.
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08-06-2008, 07:48 PM #10Registered User
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ment to add too, go to thread "for all of you with back pain" and go to that website. i found it right after i had my fusion done and it has been a lot of help as well as informative
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08-07-2008, 12:57 AM #11Physiotherapist
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Actually, the size of the herniation can reduce over time.Originally Posted by MR.COOPER
The science is out there!
www.thegymphysio.com.au
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08-07-2008, 11:31 AM #12Registered User
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Yes as far as I know if you stay off of it, dont do heavy weights and in essence let it "heal" I believe the herniation and inflammation can do down over time......
Just dont overdo it.....
Alot of times once you go under the knife you are alot worse off then when you started....
That is why I am choosing not to have surgery on my torn meniscus cartilage....I'm leaving it to let it heal, doing PT and electro-stimulation and rest....also taking glucosamine and chondroitin to see if that helps as well...
all in all, surgery should be the LAST option......
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08-07-2008, 03:46 PM #13Registered User
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Originally Posted by Logical95
outcome for people who have surgery will depend on what procedure, your age and skill of the doctor too. my fusion was done by TLIF which was minimal incision and there was like a %2 chance that it would actually make things worse since it wasnt like a normal back surgery where they have to lay your back open and pull the nerves over out of the way to do the fusion. along with your age which obviously the younger and better shape your in makes a big difference. granted it takes like up to 1-2 years before you see the end of the healing process for the most part (and that time does suck ass i can assure everyone) but a lot of people who had the same procedure as me do improve to a degree. granted i have nerve damage from the injury, scar tissue and all the crap that goes along with it, but being %70 of my old self which i am now is a hell of a lot better than what i was before.
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01-15-2010, 06:51 PM #14Bro, if you have a meniscus tear in your knee and your doctor wants to do arthroscopic surgery, then let him. I had it done and it helped somewhat, but it certainly will not make it worse. Arthroscopic knee surgery is the best to receive. You are able to walk out of the recovery room and don't need to spend time at a hospital. Recovery was pretty quick as well. During arthroscopic surgery the doctor makes 2-4 holes smaller than a green pea in your knee and sticks small instruments/a camera in through that to do what he needs to do. Of course try therapy, etc first but don't be afraid of an arthroscopic surgery unless he plans on like removing the meniscus entirely, my doctor lasered the meniscus back together.Originally Posted by Logical95
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