Is there anything that will help!

just saw a post from an 79 yr old woman named Iona with the same problem as I have. Unfortunately I am only 62 but it sounds my back is just like hers. I have had it for years and years but in the last 6 it has gotten worse. I have been diagnosed with severe Scoliosis. ( I asked my Doctor (a back specialist)where my back falls from 1 to 10 ten being the worse and he says mine is a 9)

I have stenosis at the L-5, L-6 area which I did have an operation for once on the l -5. It didn't help it at all. The Doctor dosent want to do it again in fear the rest of the discs will fail.

The pain is severe and the only short term method of some releif is an epidural to the L-6 area. I just had 2 in 2 weeks and still feel some pain in the middle of my left buttock area. I am getting heavier 180 lbs  5'5" and I am afraid to keep taking these steroids forever.  

I have been going to a personal trainer/therapist who has been trying to strengthen my core. Would it help for a breast reduction and tummy tuck as this is the area where I am my heaviest.

I don't want to stop living. I am a realtor and a golfer (which is my only releif for stress) and am very active. But I am just so tired of pain and starting to really get depressed because of it. I hope to live a long life but I wonder how with this pain. It goes from my left mid buttock area and down my left leg into my outside left calf and sometimes my toes. I can sit in a certain position and both of my legs will go numb.

Please tell me there is an operation that will work. I live in Florida.
Sharon

[Prem Pillay, MD]

Dear Sharon,

There are centers that would offer surgery for your problem if conservative treatment is not working. However before that I would recommend maximizing your physical therapy and pain control. One form of physiotherapy that we have found to be really helpful is aquatherapy or aquaphysio. Information can be found at this site: www.aquaphysio.com
and there are several centers in the US including Florida that offer this treatment. Another option is pain blocks to the nerve roots (not just epidurals) or to the facet joints.
Weight reduction can help. However the best way to do this is by through nutritional guidance and safe exercises  that will not stress your spine.