Lower back pain

[wardfamily06]

Hello I recently had an MRI done with the following results: Minimal scoliosis of the lumbar spine with minimal hypertrophic osteoarthritic changes, degenerative disk disease with asymmetric disc bulge at L4-5 to the right producing mild right foraminal stenosis.I have suffered back pain since age 16 with the siatica pain with right hip and foot pain.I also have lack of control of bladder with anytime of running or jumping even with sudden movements.  I have been thru theropy, injections, muscle relaxers, cortizone,and steroids along with mutiple pain meds with no relief. I am now going to see a spine specialist after already seeing 4 other ortho drs. I am only in my 30's and really dont want to have surgery and am concered for the recovery with have three young children. Can anyone provide any insite to what my next step should be or what questions I should ask the Dr? I also just recently started to have numbness in my right big toe. I just want my life back and to be able to play tag and chase with my children.

[wardfamily06]

So now I am being sent to a urologIist and getting an MRI on my right hip. I am so confused as to why I have to have these test done. The Dr. really didnt seem to care about the numbness in my foot nor the grinding feeling that I feel in my lower back with every movement. I really just want a Dr. that can fix the problem and give me back my life, am I asking for to much?

[tailback34]

I am 30 years old also. At age 16 I was diagnosed with a rare spinal cord tumor of my cervical spine. I had a C1-C2-C3 Laminectomies and partial Craniectomy to remove the tumor. At age 21 they had to go back in and fuse my C1 through C3. I now need a third surgery to stabalize my spine.
  Once you have surgery on your spine it's like setting off a domino effect, the spine above and below will eventually present problems as well. In your case, with bladder control issue's and numbness you need to see a neurosurgeon. I had mine done at U.C. San Fransisco and they have one of the best neurosurgery/neuroncology programs in the country. If your anywhere close to California maybe check it out. They work with Stanford Medical Center on research and have many trials you can enroll in. I think in the long run you would be better off having a fusion now, but that's totally your decision with advice from your doctor. Lumbar fusion are much less invasive today and recovery is actually pretty quick. Again, Im no doctor but I do have experience with the spine and it's not an area to take lightly. Spinal cord damage and paralysis is not worth living with if you can prevent it. Good Luck to you