L5 S1 plus spinal stenosis

Has anyone been given back extension exercises for posterior disc bulge, and told not to worry about the stenosis, as that is always going to be there, but that you want to open the back of the spine to help slide the disc back in place with the extension exercise??  Also told to remove the pillow from under my stomach to help open the spine from the back.  I am just so confused.  Any thoughts from anyone would be appreciated.  I have been told not to been forward at this time.  I have been going through this for almost 1 year, and I am at my wits end.  They all say I don't surgery, but I am beginning to think they are wrong.  THOUGHTS!!!!  Thanks Sweetpotatoe57

[noneck]

Anybody on their way to surgery should have tried everything possible to avoid surgery. Before surgery I would try spinal decompression and P.T., exercises should be used to help stomach muscles strengthen. Disc bulges can improve with conservative methods, sometimes lessening the stenosis, and some injections could help. But when they say this will never go away they are pretty much correct. I don't understand about the pillow? Do you have a M.R.I. to confirm the findings, how long ago, you mention 1 year? Maybe you need to go back to the doctor to see if anything as worsened. Sometimes surgery is the only thing that will help. Be persistent and keep all informed.

Hope I Help

[Sweetpotatoe57]

Had 2 sets of MRI's in the last 7 months.  My PT thinks that I need another one, and I am seeing her tomorrow.  They said stomach sleeping was bad due to the stenois, and never to lay without a pillow under me.  This PT said they want to put the posterior disc bulge back in place, and to do back flexion to help. SO  CONFUSED.  I have seen both on the net, and they are conflicting.  Have had injections, and seem to just be getting worse.  This was caused by a PT last January, and have gone down hill since.  My new PT cannot believe what she has done to me.  I am really scared.  Any help would be appreciated. Sweetpotatoe57

[noneck]

I think they mean sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees, is that right? I have never herd of putting a disc back in place, and what is back flexion? I'm just not sure about anything you have been told. I had 6 neck fusions and 2 low back surgeries 1 was a fusion. I have been to P.T. for 25 years and all kinds of alternative practices from Chiro's to super specialists. For the life of me I don't understand what you are being told. No wonder your confused, if it confuses me, with everything I've been through. Can you help me find what you found on the internet, maybe we can sort this out for you.

Hoping I Help

[Sweetpotatoe57]

They are using the McKenzie Method.  You do prone push ups, and back extension, bending lightly back to push the posterior disc bulge back in, or open the canal better to take the pressure from the disc off the nerve.  I did find exercises for DDD and spinal stenosis and both of these were included.  Some agree and some don't.  Confused. I do have weak muscles from not being able to do anything at this time, which does not help, and I guess these help strenghten the back muscles.  They said you want flexibility both ways with stenosis and DDD.  Makes sense.  I can,t believe I have gotten so bad.  I worked out everyday, was in great shape, and in less than 1 year, or almost a year, I have lost everything.  Having new MRI's Thursday AM, something the PT wanted, and blood work.  Started having bad muscle spasms in legs after the exercises, and have appt. with Dr. tomorrow AM, and will talk to him about all of this.  They sent me to her, and she has credentials up the whazoo.  One of 23 therapist in the US that have all her stuff.  She was written up in our paper.  Indiana Physical Therapy.  I am just so scared. McKenzie has a web site, let me know what you think.  Sweetpotatoe57

[noneck]

I looked up Mckenzie Method. I don't think any exercises will help this. You mention stenosis, that means narrowing. If you have a bulging disc causing the narrowing, which is what I think your describing. Yes, exercises can help if done early enough, but by the time you have stenosis I think it's too late for that conservative treatment. Wait and see what the M.R.I. say's it might change everything. I know it's confusing when everybody is trying to help but only confusing you. I've been there, and when they actually find what is causing all this it will be cleared up. As fit as you say you used to be is telling me this isn't a problem of muscle weakness causing disc problems. I have tried every method, gimick, and gizmo and they never work, sometimes we just need a surgeon. Keep everybody posted after your M.R.I.

Hope I Help

[noneck]

Do you have a cyst like grleeegrl or are you just having the same pain? Your pain and hers could actually be the same but with different problems. Wheather you have disc causing stenosis or a cyst causing stenosis the pain should be the same. Anything in the thecal sack or causing pressure on the spinal cord can be a cause for surgery.

Still Hope I Help

[Sweetpotatoe57]

Yes, I have 2 cysts like hers, and some of the same pain.  My son-in-law is also a surgeon, and looked at it, plus he had a specialist in Indianapolis look at it, and I had a Neurologist, and Neurosuergeon look at it, my Dr. and my pain Dr., and they said the same, we all have them, they are common on a MRI, and are usually asymtomatic, and 99.999999% never cause a problem, unless they are huge, and mine are so small, that they just don't cause problems.  grleeegrl did not say how big her were, so I will comment and see what she says or if she knows.  She didn't say if she had any other problems.  I am waiting to see what the MRI's say, and still doing the extensions, very lightly, as the PT showed, because she said we need flexibility in our spines both ways, as I used to have less than a year ago, and she stressed, "VERY LIGHTLY", and will get my Dr's. opinion today.  All Dr's who saw last set of MRI's said I could sleep on my stomach, etc, and DO NOT UNDERSTAND all the pain I am having. I should not be in this much pain, or so they say.  My son-in-law, agrees with them. SO the saga continues!!  You are such a help.  Let me know your thoughts on all of this.  Sweetpotatoe57

[noneck]

Yes I agree that cysts can be of no problem. The same can go for people who can be pulled off the street and given a M.R.I. and show signs of herniated disc and or degenerated spines, with no symptoms or pain. But you and grleeegrl are having symptoms, and just because the doctors say they are harmless just isn't so, you are at the doctor complaining of pain and neurological symptoms. We are all individuals and I have been disabled with 8 spine fusions and chronic pain associated with degenerated spine conditions, another person may not be as disabled as me, but does that lessen my condition? Keep up the therapy as long as it not making you worse, it can only help and keep you strong if surgery is required. If you have both cysts and herniated disc I don't see the doctors blowing this off with the everybody has them, because you have symptoms, thats the key word. I'm thinking of you two and hope you get some resolve so you can continue on your path. Good luck at the doctor and the M.R.I. Keep everybody posted.

Hoping I Help

[Sweetpotatoe57]

Just got back from the Dr.  I have been gone 6 hrs, between PT and Dr.  He just does not know what to say.  I should not be in all this pain.  I told him about this girl and her cysts.  He said they are just a non issue.  I said we have the same symptoms, and he wondered if she had stenosis, or DDD, which I could not answer, because she had not posted again. Long story short, no answer.  Waiting for MRI to come back.  Also had lyme's disease, and they are wondering if I could be in a chronic phase, becaused meds did not rid me of it.  Going for the blood test later today.  PT is concerned, and said L3 looks really bad to her, and thinks disc is out more in L5 area .  She is very concerned.  He said the back extensions were ok, as it does help put posterior disc bulge back in, but felt from MRI's that they weren't out enough.  The PT thinks they are!!  I  am going to see what the MRI"s say, then what do you think, Ortho surgeon or Neurosurgeon?  I will be back on in a bit, have to ice and rest for a short bit.  Sweetpotatoe57  Thanks for all your help!!!!!!!

[noneck]

I like Neurosurgeons but Ortho's are good also. The new M.R.I. might shed some light on this for you. It sounds like your on top of this. There could one more thing to ask about. There is a Weight Bearing M.R.I. instead of lying down for the M.R.I. you sit and sometimes thats when the bulge gets bigger and causes more pain. Lying down makes it seem less bulging because there is no weight on the back. Just thinking.

Hope I'm Helping

[noneck]

Google Weight Bearing M.R.I.

noneck

[Sweetpotatoe57]

I did wonder about a weight bearing MRI, problem is I can't sit!!!  Horrible pain in the sit bone area, and other areas.  The Dr. also thinks I have piriformis symdrome.  You make so much sense.  Hoping Grleeegrl responds.  I asked her about the size of her cysts.  Also, hoping she can shed light on other issues she might have.  Check out the CDC on the subject of Lyme's.  Would love your opinion.  They are doing the Westen Blot Test.  I had the ELSIA if spelled correctly?  the last time. My Dr. wanted to do the best test for it.  Just got done with ice!  UGH!!!  You are a big help!  Sweetpotatoe57