Re: Sciatica

Posted By CCF Neurosurgery MD/GM on March 30, 1998 at 21:25:03:

In Reply to: Sciatica posted by John on March 30, 1998 at 01:33:18:






I hurt my back four months ago cutting firewood.  I thaught I just pulled a muscle in my back and leg.  I went to the doctor a few weeks later and he said that I have a condition called Sciatica and that I should have an MRI.  The MRI confermed that I herniated my L5/S1 disk.  He prescribed p.t.  At the time it hurt too bad so I stopped going.  I started going to a chriopractor and after about 30 treatments I stopped that also because I felt I wasn't getting any better.  Since the initial injury my pain has subsited a little.  I don't have back spasms anymore but I still have pain radiating down my left leg.  The pain starts in my left buttock and ends at my knee.  The only thing that helps me is to take 600 mg of Ibuprofin 2 to 3 times a day.  Will this much Ibuprofin every day hurt me?  After I take the Ibuprofin the pain will subside but the back of both my knees and calfs start to ache.  What does this mean?  What other treatments are there for herniated L5/S1 disk?  What are the "pros" and  "cons" of having an epidural injection in that disk?  Thanks John



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Dear John:
Most herniated discs resolve on their own following PT and conservative
medical management. If after four months your symptoms have not resolved,
I think that surgery is almost inevitable. If This problem is not
corrected, you may end up with peramanent damage to the nerve. I advise
you to seek the opinion of a neurosurgeon. You can certainly try
epidural injections but I think that given what you describe, you
will not benefit from this.
Good Luck!