backpain

ive had an mri scan and it shows a torn disc but the consultant didnt give any advice on what could be done to make it better.i am in agony 24hours a day.the pain is in my lower back to the left side.i have seen osteopaths etc but with no joy,hence thats why i paid for an mri scan.it showsmy disc L5 as mostly black with a white tiny hole on the edge although this appears to be still enlosed by a very thin layer of ?.im at a total loss of where or who to see.is there people who specialise in discs and can anything be done to solve this problem .
        many thanks julie xxxxxxxxxx

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. Sounds like you have what's called a radiculopathy, an often painful condition that results from something (usually disc) pushing on a spinal nerve as it exits from the  spinal cord down to an arm or leg. Start by seeing a neurologist who can help you interpret your MRI and examine you.  We usually recommend medical treatment with rest, light physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory meds like ibuprofen to start off with. But depending on what the MRI shows and degree of pain/discomfort, we sometimes recommend surgery to correct the problem right off the bat. If the disc is torn and pushing on the nerve, it may need to be removed.

If financial concerns are a problem, then consider skipping the neurologist and go to a neurosurgeon (you will likely need one eventually) to have your films looked at and an exam.If you are in the area, I would recommend a referral to Dr. Ed Benzel and Dr. Ian Kalfas who are excellent neurosurgeons here at the Cleveland Clinic. GOod luck.

[fatty]

I have been in pain for 5 months and had a MRI said spinal cord was fine but somthing to do with my lumbar verterbra nerve gave me a epridural injection. Will this help and will I be able to do what I use to do?

[yasmina]

I have had a protruding disc at L5-1 for the last five years. I am contemplating surgery to relieve the pain once and for all. At least I hope. At what stage is surgery recommened for this? I am O.K. some days but others, especially when the nerves become inflamed, are almost unbearable. I dont' have leg pain per se, but I do have a sensation down both legs that feels like light tingling and sometimes both the bottoms of my feet tingle.
When does this condition warrant surgery and what types are available?

[MISY]

I WAS TOLD I HAVE L-5 SENSORY NEUROPATHY,. I HAVE PAIN 24/7. CONSTANTLY, FROM MY NECK DOWN TO MY BOTTOM. NOW MY FINGERS AND TOES GET SWOLLEN AND PURPLISH COLOR. MY FINGER TPIS AND THE HEEL OF WY FOOT GETS NUMB FEELING. IS THIS ALL RELATED TO MY HERNIATED BACK? THERES TTIMES WHEN I HAVE NO ENERGY TO MOVE. I DO HAVE A APPT WITH A NEUROSURGEON NEXT WEEK WOULD SURGERY HELP ME?

[etmercado]

I have been through 2 back surgeries in the last 6 years and my doc. wants to do a third one. Before the 1st one my L5-S1 was pinching the left nerve that went into my leg. Physical therapy made it worse. Ended up having a MICRODISCETOMY. That stopped the pressure on the left nerve , but still in pain. In oct. of 2000 had an ANTERIOR LUMBAR  FUSION at L5-S1 w/ Bone Graft from a Bone bank. My disc was degenerative and had to be totally removed. The fusion healed ok, but still in constant pain on left side. Had a FAUCET NERVE BLOCK, which didn't work and it hurt more to have it done than the pain I was in. Now doc. wants to put in PEDICLE SCREWS/ RODS. So therapy might help or might not. It didn't for me. But the surgery did. It's just that my disk was to far gone already that i'm still having trouble. I am only 30 now and hurt myself at 25. but before decide to get surgery see 2 or more NEUROLOGIST.

[wannaknow]

I have a ruptured disc in my lower back that at times causes me unbearable pain. At those times that the pain is the worse is when I feel like my lower right side is about to explode, the pain is so severe that even farting causes me to scream in agony!!! I feel for anyone who has back pain. I am only 45, but feel so much older at times.

[pikamom]

When I was 25 I ruptured my disc at L-5 S-1 while coughing. Pain exploded down my leg and I could not sit or stand. I crawled to the phone to call my husband at work and my doctor. The doctor called in a prescription for muscle relaxers and pain relievers, didn't help the incredible pain. I could not even hold my head up to eat. I had an MRI which revealed a herniated disc and a large piece had broke off and was in the canal. I had emergency surgery but it was a difficult recovery with swelling around the spinal cord and a ten day hospital stay. I went through physical therapy and did pretty well...some chronic back pain if I did too much. A serious bladder problem developed at the same time, which I have to this day, severe and painful bladder spasms all day and night every day. Then when I was thirty my foot started hurting to the point I couldn't walk on it, and then it started getting numb, and then the numbness gradually creeped up my leg each passing day. Another MRI, myelogram (that's a horrible experience!) and surgery for the SAME disc. This time I never fully recovered and I am now 37. I walk with a cane, have back pain and foot numbness every day. Sometimes I can't drive my car. I haven't been back to see my nuerosurgeon since 1999. I was told another operation could make me better, worse, or just the same. I don't want to risk worse. So I just get through the days as best I can in spite of my back, bladder, and...you guessed it...good old depression. I take alot of medicine from the urologist and psychiatrist, and now from the cardiologist for an elecrical problem. It just seems like some things can't be fixed.

[butchlaura]

in aug 2001, i had l03-4-5-s5 i am still having pain they used the rods and pins and a bone graft from my hip, i stayed in brace from july2000 until feb.2001 i have a water burning feeling in my front of my thigh, that my dr. doesn't understand i still hurt and can't walk real good i also had to have surgery again in oct.2001 for spacers that came out then i fell while in the hospital after 2nd surgery and then had to have the third surgery on oct.2001 what can i do

[thegrizz]

You back pain people keep the faith. I am 60 years old, a retired firefighter, builder, furniture mover all at the same time. Had a ruptured disc when I was about 40. Went to a great back man that basicly said shut up big guy and go to physical theropy. I did and I worked out for years and am working out again now because of weight gain. Feel great, if I get a pain I take care of myself and take 2400mg. of Ibuepropen a day for a few days and the pain is gone. Never thought I would be healthy again but I am in the sun, 70 degrees today in February and feel great.

[lynnlynn]

I am 44 and 15 years ago I had two discs removed from my lower back and a spinal fusion done with bone from my hips - I spent the next 4 years not caring if I lived due to the intense pain.  I have over the past years simply tolerated the pain.  I continue to have pain down my leg, cramps at night and am never pain free.  I have spent the last years on pain medication and muscle relaxant medication.  I can not stand for long periods of time and now my sitting in an office chair for 8 hours a day is causing me continual pain.  I can just stand up and irritate my back to the point that I spend the next few days at the chiropractor and laying the floor and taking medications.  I have reached the point of not being able to continue working all day with this pain.  I was laid off from work a year ago and during the time off between that job and my current one I laid on the floor 3 times a day doing streching and simply relaxing.  I was able to control the pain so that I was not so reliant on medications.  Over the past year of working again I am once again in constant pain.  I can not continue with this pain and want to look into receiving disability but have heard it is very difficult to receive.  We simply cannot go without income of some kind from my end or we would not be able to afford health insurance along with other life necessities. I believe I may be able to work on a part time basis and control my back pain but am not sure.  How do I go about receiving help?