Adolesent with LS problems

[Jomi]

I have a 14 yr.old son who has LS L3-4 and L4-5 herniaed discs.
My question is this, what are his chances for a complete recovery if he opts for surgury?His loves are playing ice hockey and football(the later is what the injury is from). His doctor has told us about the cordizone and novacaine shots he could get (he recommended them) but I am told by many people that they don't work and are very painful.  They would have skipped them and  just got the surgury, in hind sight. He was on oral cordizone and it did little to help him.  He has also been on other meds like Vikodin, which only made him sick.
Any information you can give me that would assist me in my decision would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you,   Jomi

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Jomi:

I hope the surgery works out well.

CCF Neuro MD

[Jomi]

Thank you for your time and advice.  I guess we are going through
with the surgury.  My son is still going to physical therapy even
though it doesn't do much more than it has been.
He refuses to try the shots of cordizone and novicaine.  I will let you know how all goes.  He is scheduled for surgery middle of next month.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Becky:

We treat alot of adolescent migraines and we use elavil as our first line medication.  If your son really has "heat stroke" from elavil you need to have your physician report this to the NIH as this has never been reported.  We find the most frequent side effect is dry mouth, fatigue, and weight gain.  There are other medications available.  You will need to see your physician and talk about the other types of medications.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Becky]

I know this is off subject, but is also adolescent problem.  If you have a 15 year old with migraines, what is the safest medicine they can use to try to prevent them from happening?  My son's doctor prescribed elavil which has some bad side effects as heat stroke, etc.  My son is active in the summer, and I didn't really want to risk something like that happening.

Thanks for any information you have to offer.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Jaomi:

Sorry to hear about the football injury.  There may be no other choice than surgery, however, one must always try and find other avenues before surgery.  I am assuming that the rehab was done by a good group and the reason for quiting was not your son's lack of motivation.  I would get a second opinion concerning the surgery with another neurosurgeon.  If the rehab failed, medical treatements failed (steriods, anti-inflammatory agents, etc), then the last resort would be surgery.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Shawn]

Can someone tell me the difference between a herniated disc and protruded disc?

Thanks,

Shawn

[Jomi]

The initial injury happened in the early fall from football. It was originally knee pain.  Then it became loss of mobility in the right leg and then the back spasms started.  After two MRIs and a bone scan the doctor found the two hernia discs.  He is scheduled for a Mylo/CT next week to see a more complete picture of what is going on. Most of his pain is in his buttocks and down both legs.  In the left leg the pain goes to his ankle.  He has severe spasms to where he loses his ability to stand. I have taken him to the emergency room due to this 'cause he would end up light headed and complained of a fluttering heart.The ER doctor decided that he was hyperventilating due to the pain.  Right now he is only on Celebrex bid.
Is there any other treatment you could recommend other than the surgery ( the doctor is going the cut off the pertruding portion of the disc) or the shots?  He is going to physical therapy which was helping initially but isn't doing much any longer.  
Thank you      Jomi

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Jomi:

What is the etiology of your son's herniated discs?  Surgery is the last option, and I would not procede until you have eliminated all the options.  The outcome of surgery is usually good, but there are many patients who do not get pain relief.  Unless surgery is for a mechanically induced pain, the outcome is hit or miss.  I would really seek other opinions.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD