NEUROLOGY COMMUNITY
Degenerative discs

Degenerative discs

Im a 21 year old male who recently been diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis with L4-5 disc protusrion and L5-S1 extrusion.   I got this from a car accident back in early May.  The pain isnt always there, it just comes on and off just for like a slight 30 seconds and then goes away.

My MRI says:

At the L4-5, there is a broad disc protrusion eccentric to the right which indents the thecal sac and abuts the traversing right L5 nerve root.  Again, the neural foramina appear patent.

At the L5-S1 level, there is a broad disc extrusion which effaces the anterior epidural fat and nearly abuts the traversing S1 nerve roots.  Marginal osteophyte and facet arthropathy minimally encroach upon the neural foramina.

Some diminution in lumbar lordosis is noted, however, possibly due to muscle spasm.

With that being said can those discs heal completely and let me live without pain?
Will i be able to have sex with no pain? Im fairly young and dont want to be dealing with pain the rest of my life.
Related Discussions
2 Comments Post a Comment
Blank
144586_tn?1284669764
Unfortunately the discs usually never heal completely. You have a nerve that is being pinched intermittantly. I'm not telling you anything you probably haven't figured out.

You need to find a referral to a good physical rehab specialist and begin a series of rehabilitative exercises. You can't learn these exercises on the internet. Count on a dozen sessions. Whatever they charge will be worth it.

Ask your physician about prescribing a TENS device to control the pain.

Don't take muscle relaxants. They are inappropriate, reduce muscle tone, and cause more damage. Good hydration helps.

Surgery is an end-of-the line option. If you decide to go in this direction get a second opinion.

Blank
Avatar_n_tn
Do you think with this condition I will have pain the rest of my life?

Does alcohol, marijuana, or ecstasy affect my condition?
Blank
Post a Comment
To
Comment
Post A Comment
Go
Blank
Mood Tracker
See what affects your mood
Start Tracking Now
Blank
Pain Tracker
Track location and severity
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Blank
Moody Me
Have more happy days!
Download Now
Top Neurology Answerers
620923_tn?1335125657
Blank
selmaS
Allentown, PA
1475492_tn?1332887767
Blank
Sidesteps
Seattle Area, WA
338416_tn?1260996698
Blank
jensequitur
Fort Worth, TX
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
ggreg
NC
999891_tn?1330652344
Blank
rod44
Cork city, Ireland
1548028_tn?1324616046
Blank
ku111
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia reduces...
May 03 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank