Need Answers!

[beka11]

I am 22 years old and discs L4 and L5 are herniated. I have had severe pain for the past 7 months and had an MRI in August and found the herniations. I have had 3 epidural injections in the last 3.5 months and they last about a month before the pain comes back. I cannot have anyone injections for 6 months. Medications as strong as hydrocodin and loratab do not work. Recently pain has gone to my left leg and foot to where I can hardly walk a times. My right hand goes numb often and I am having neck pain and pain between my shoulders. I have not had a period for the past 8 months and I have lost my appetite and have been severely depressed.  My orthopedic Dr. referred me to a orthopedic surgeon and I went  this week and he said I do not need surgery to give it time. Basically deal with it!   I started back PT this week also and I have been in the worst pain yet and cannot function! My age seems to be the problem b/c I'm so young. My orthopedic Dr. seems to think I will need surgery once all the options are gone. What would be the best for my situation. Orthopedic or Neurosurgeon? I want the best and I want someone who will help me and listen to me! I'm in college and I am not able to do normal activities. I use to be very active and now I can barely sit down without hurting. I need answers and I need them soon. Please help!

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

I am sorry that you have to experience these symptoms. I do hope you would get better soon.

While I understand your frustration at the way your condition is affecting your life, I must also tell you that I understand why your orthopedic surgeon is leaving surgery as the last option.  Spine surgery, as with all types of surgical procedures, carry some form of risk, moreso in this case where vital structures can be affected. Although numerous advances in spine surgery have been made in the last decade, complications can and still do occur. It is only when conservative treatment has totally failed that surgery should be commited to.

However, if you feel that you have reached that point and that conservative treatment is no longer an option for you, you should tell your surgeon. If he/she declines, you could opt for a second opinion from another orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon.

Good luck.

[Caliber2005]

Hi,
How are you feeling now?
It's really sad that you are going through all this.
There are many different terms used to describe spinal disc pathology and associated pain, such as “herniated disc”, “pinched nerve”, and “bulging disc”. The bones which form your spine are called as vertebrae. The space between two vertebras is cushioned with disc. When disc bulge or break open due to any reasons like ageing (aging), or trauma to spine, it is called as herniated disc. It can happen in any region, but more common at lower back in lumber region.
Yes the doctor is right in advising you physiotherapy for muscle strengthening of lower back, pain killers and pain management specialist for initial conservative management. But if this fails, the option left is surgery. You may want to consider surgery if you have had severe shooting pain in legs radiating down from hips for longer than a month. Only about 1 person in 10 still has enough pain after 6 weeks to think about surgery.
As there are complications associated with spinal surgery and you are young, the doctor will exhaust all his conservative management and then opine for surgery.
Discectomy, Laminotomy, Laminectomy or percutaneous laminectomy are usually considered surgeries.
Hope this helps you.
Bye.