protruding disc at L5 S1

[bubbles_27928]

In JUly 2006 had an accident while lifting obesity patient during work on a transport agency. Had MRI and found out i had central bulge disc L5 S1. Have been to chiropractor, physical therapy, cortison shot, and oral steroids. It has gotten worse with pain symptoms so had another MRI last week and now saying central bilaterally protruding disc L5 S1. Does this mean it is worse or have helped doing the different things I have been doing? I also have seen a surgeon and he recommends surgery PLEASE HELP ME!!!

[MKappelmann]

I'm not a doctor, but from my research on my own back problems they say that a disc bulge is where the nucleus is bulging but a disc protrusion is where is has protruded through the annulus(sp?). So it sounds like it has progressed, unless the radiologist who read your MRI just used different terminology. Good luck.

[DannyDanko420]

im no doc either but i've had the same thing for 5 years now. well my last MRI showed two bulging disks but they werent protruding. it does feel like its gotten worse within the past year and i've been to everything, seen everyone, and i still till this day lay here in pain and on those damn oxy's which dont do anything. i think your problem is worse then mine cuz it has progress even further then mine so i can just imagine your pain and if the surgeon recomended surgery go for it, dont wait on treatment my friend thats y i lay in my bed everyday, i declined two surgery options and now im in bad shape. i've had to start over a couple times with new docs tellin my story over n over so dont wait. i hope you get wat you need and get it quick. best of luck to you, take care

Danny

[rescue304]

This is close to what i am suffering from. Yes, my problem is also from lifting patients over time. I have l4,l5,s1 disc herniation with tearing of the l4,l5. the pain in my legs somedays out does the pain in my back. I was with the rescue squad and at 911, but the pain killers have taken me out of my job at 911 and can't do much at the rescue squad. I have surgery scheduled on April 25 at Moses Cone in North Carolina. I'm scared but to get out of this pain - its all I can do. ! See the comments written by Beane - she just had her 2nd surgery done.

[ryanmitton]

Hi all.  I was 8/10 on pain scale, tried everything, wound up at a place in calgary alberta with a 'decompression' machine called the drx9000.

im not a doctor, but i do/did have a herniation in l5/s1, the whole bit.  this machine put me to 0/10, i DO HAVE the odd flair up, if i play 5 days in a row of hard squash for example.

im 30, always have been into sports, and don't like being told what to do.  this worked for me.  i would look at it.  rarely have i seen a surgery whose effects lasted.

ryan.