What will happen to my back in the long term

I have injured my back about 8 years ago when I was at work and lifted a glass table which weighed around 100 Kilos my back made a pop sound and a week later I was in agonising pain and my spine was twisted.

I went to the hospital and was told to be carefull with my back as I only had a normal xray. Over the years I have been left in serious back pain with my back going into spasm and I cannot walk or sit down properly and it can take weeks to settle.

So last year I had an MRI and this resulted in my report as follows: No evidence of bony injury is seen. There is possible minimal reduction in the disc space posteriorly at L4/L5 and slight sclerosis is seen at facet joints mainly at L3/L4, L4/L5 AND L5/S1 due to a little OA change and very minimal osteophyte formation is seen.
The alignment of L4 is slightly backward in relation to L5 (Slight degree of reversed Spondylolisthesis).

Can you please tell me the long term affect is there a cure without surgery and would yoga or pilates help awiting your reply Bigwill

[Prem Pillay, MD]

I would recommend that you see a spine specialist for an evaluation. Pain injections including epidural and facet blocks could help reduce your pain levels. Subsequently you could start a rigorous spine therapy program that should include aquaphysio or aquatherapy.

Dr Prem Pillay
Director of Neuro and Spine Services
Neuro Spine and Pain Center
Singapore

www.spine-neuro.org
http://neurospine.blogspot.com

[Zak_Han]

1,long term affect is depending on your condition's develop and treatment's results
2,Without surgery,you still can get pain relief by effective treatment,but MRI will be same
3,New research: Yoga or pilates seem no help for your condition,walking is better exercise.
Good luck!