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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Herniated Fragmented Disk
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Herniated Fragmented Disk
by mwb, Jun 09, 2000 12:00AM
I am a 24 year old male with a herniated fragmented disk, lower lumbar between #4 and 5 vertebra (work related), causing back pain with pain radiating down my left leg. This was found by an MRI after months of pain which did not improve. Please tell me what treatment would be typical. If surgery is the usual outcome, is there a least invasive one that I can discuss with my doctor? And while on the subject of doctors, a doctor in what field would be the best one for me to see? Looking forward to your input. Thanks - MWB
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Jun 09, 2000 12:00AM
Dear MWB:
Sorry to hear about your herniated disc. If the disc is not compromising the cord, then rehab and PT might be the first treatment to ungo. However, if the disc is severely compromising the cord, then surgery might be the only alternative. So, I would first see a neurologist. Get a good exam and intrepretation of the MRI. See what your options might be then go from there. If you go to a surgeon first, then usually you will get the surgery sooner than later advice (which be correct but get a neurologist input first).
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Sorry to hear about your herniated disc. If the disc is not compromising the cord, then rehab and PT might be the first treatment to ungo. However, if the disc is severely compromising the cord, then surgery might be the only alternative. So, I would first see a neurologist. Get a good exam and intrepretation of the MRI. See what your options might be then go from there. If you go to a surgeon first, then usually you will get the surgery sooner than later advice (which be correct but get a neurologist input first).
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Based upon the opinions of a couple of surgeons, I had a diskectomy in early May. Since then the numbness has improved somewhat but I still have significant numbness in the foot and have not regained all foot function yet. I also have found new pains in my lower right back. Still hoping that having had the surgery was worthwhile.
Good luck.
Mike