Bulding disc

[linder60]

I am 60,female, in very good health and weight, walk 10 miles a week.  Had leg and ankle shooting pain, went to orthopedic doc, she ordered an Xray and MRI and I have a L-5 bulging disc.  Mild degeneration but no osteoporosis or other findings.  Question..........what is the best treatment for this...... I love to walk.... The PT gave me exercises that hurt.  Ice and Ibuprofin work great, but don't want to cause stomach problems with prolonged use.  What is the very best treatment for this type of injury.  I do not know how I did this.....maybe lifting too heavy objects?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

You could arrange for traction at the lower end of the bed. Attach the traction to pull lower limbs for about an hour each day when you sleep. Ask your doctor if you can arrange in at home. There are devices available which can be attached to the bed.

Complete rest may not help you in the long run. In any case, you will have to make some movements of the lower back. At present, you are doing well to prevent any significant movements. L5 herniation can lead to a lot of nerve problems.

Regards

[pussycat574]

Hello, I really feel for you as I have had similar problems for years...back ache and sciatica and eventually 2 prolapsed discs L4/5 and S1. I have tried to cope for years taking tablets (I, like you don't take tablets unless really necessary because of upsetting the stomach) I have had scans and are now considering a Discectomy operation which involves cutting the offending discs away.
I'm not a doctor but have learnt lots about this over the years. In my experience doing regular excercise as long as you are not overdoing it, helps. Walking is good so long as you have comfortable shoes i.e trainers and walking off-road is better than pounding the pavements because of the shock to the disc. Pilates is good gentle excercise and helps build core strength. Also, obviously, no heavy lifting and always bend the knees.
Discs bulges can receed and improve but it is a problem that will recur.
Also having surgery too early or if there is only a slight problem will not help in the long run so having a good surgeon to advise you and ***** the damage will help.
Unfortunately it's a long drawn out process and there's no quick fix. It is also extremely common.
The L5 region is at the base of your lumber spine before the hips. I would think this the most common place because of all the weight on your spine from above.
I hope this helps. I find just chatting to people with the same condition very helpful as they know what it's like to cope.

[linder60]

forgot to mention it is bulging at L-5.......is that good or bad........

[linder60]

Thanks your for your comments.  I am currently doing PT for the bulging disc and will find out next week how severe.  I have pretty intense shooting pain down leg and ankle.
Is complete rest an option, walking, the excercises.....lying flat and lifting up slightly.  What about sleeping positions.  I love laying on my back.....am I hurting or helping on my back.  Ice for 10 min works great....  Any other suggestions!

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

The treatment options depend on the severity of the bulging and the extent of the effect it causes on the spinal cord and nerve roots. If you have significant distress due to the low back problem, you can consider surgery as a good option. The disc can be removed and the space can be filled in by bone graft or artificial disc. Alternatively, the vertebra can be fused, but it will limit some movement.

Most people do not need surgery. Non-surgical treatments can relieve symptoms. But you always have a risk of the problem recurring.

Now with minimally invasive surgeries, the procedure has become less risky.

Regards