Hello
I am new to this board and just have some general questions. I injured my back at the end of August this year 06 and have already had an MRI which showed Disc L5-S1 herinated, and tore alon with degeneration. I have completed Therapy, Two sets of shots, Prednisone, Flexeral, other drugs. I saw a neuro and they suggested a place called PNBC Physicans Neck and Back. Mylogram or Fussion. I am going now to PNBC and am having a lot of pain so I went to see a Ortho Dr. to be the best in Minnesota. He wants me to quit the PNBC if it gets any worse and to do pool therapy as well as I am getting a Fecet Joint Shot next week. He does not want to do surgery yet. Not until Six months passed. Can anyone shed a little light on what might happen down the road. I am going nuts here and having a lot of pain, numbness, weakness, in my legs as well as butt. Of work totally. Just looking for some advice.

Thanks Todd

Hang in there, Todd! I had a herniation in the same place as yours and know how tough it can be. Ice was my best friend for months and I slept with it even. Suggest you see someone (a neuro or ortho surgeon) with a specialty in the spine. It's very important you see a spine surgery specialist -- not someone who operates on knees and shoulders, for example. I tried the injections (3), PT, pain meds, wore a TENS unit (might help you get some temporary relief) and stood up all day at work for 6 months after my injury before I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't sit without severe pain. Everyone is different concerning how much pain they can tolerate, and I am pretty tough, but when I heard from three surgeons that my condition could not improve without surgery, I went for it. FInd out all your options, including surgery, and meeting with a surgeon or two doesn't mean you have to jump into it. You want to know whether you can do any irrepairable damage to yourself by not having it. You don't want that numbness or any possible nerve damage to be permanent!

Waiting six months is conservative, and may be the right thing to do. Sometimes discs can heal themselves and injuries get better. Suggest asking for an EMG, which measures how much this affecting your nerves and whether there is any damage to your nerves.

I had the surgery by the way, and 8 months later I would say I feel about 90 percent better. It made a huge difference with the pain though I do have flareups still that last a few weeks at a time and I hope that quiets down soon. I went back to work full time three months later and it was a little hairy for a month or so, but I adjusted.

Here's wishing you the best and I hope your facet injection works. Good luck!

Schragie

Todd, schragie sounds like he gave you good advice. It sounds like the doctors are just going thru the normal steps. They say most back injuries can be resolved without surgery. You should just do whatever possible to make yourself as comfortable as you can. If stretching or other things you learned in physical therapy seems to help then I would continue that even though therapy sessions have ended. I know it is hard to deal with because I have been there but surgery should always be a last option and only when you just can't stand the pain anymore and your situation does not seem to improve over a long period of time. It takes a long time but sometimes the body is very capable of heeling on its own. If you read the posts here you see that a lot of post op back patients still have problems. Most of them are doing better than before surgery but complications with back surgery is common. Your best bet is to stick it out and exercise and stretch within your limits and hope it is resolved without surgical intervention. Good luck and be patient.