BULGING DISCS

[carlyon bay]

I HAVE HAD A MRI SCAN AND HAVE 2-3 LUMBAR DISCS THAT ARE BULGING WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR THE AWFUL BACK PAIN I HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO A SPINAL NEUROSURGEON DOES ANY ONE OUT THER HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM AND WHAT TREATMENT DID YOU HAVE ?SURGERY AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME THANKS FOR ANY REPLIES

[JamSam17]

Hi there, this isn't the most helpful answer but I have the same problem.
I was referred and I had my first surgical opinion yesterday. He's offered me the surgery which is cutting bits of the bulging disc away as opposed to any sort of fusing, which I was worried about.

Let me know how you get on and I'll keep you updated :)

[Scarlett]

I have had slipped discs for 12 years and really didn't want a back operation. I think the statistics are 50% chance you have an improvement. ie- 50% you stay the same or get worse. I couldn't take that chance. I lived with the pain for years, but in February I had 6 injections to my facet joints (under x ray) which has REALLY helped my back pain beyond belief. I would go down the route of chronic pain first- most hospitals run clinics for this; they offer physio, TENS, injections etc. Try everything first. Also, bulgy discs often will dry up over time (the bit that is poking out) and break off, and be absorbed back into the body. So, the pain CAN go away on its own. Keeping active and as supple as you can also helps. Use heat or ice on your back- whichever you prefer, and see an acupuncturist. I would have an operation as absolutely the last resort.

[beso]

This is a classic case of herniated disks. The disks are shaped to fit perfectly with the vertebra. However they can move relative to their proper engagement resulting in lumps against lumps, compressing the cartilage.

The displaced cartilage then bulges beyond the perimiter of the vertebra. More importantly it impinges on the nerve bundle that joins the spine at that point. This results in pain. Unfortunately it also reaults in disturbance of the motor nerves to the region and often stimulates the musclature to exacerbate the problem.

The relocation of the disk mainly requires all the load removed from the area so that the disk bumps can move back into place in the vertebra. Appropriate twisting, flexing and manipulation of the muscle associated with the are important to assist the movement but the shape of the cartilage and bone naturally will move if given the chance.

I had a debilitating herniated disk injury. I could barely move without agony. I saw a chiropractor and I came out much better and had several followup visits to maintain the correct posture and muscle tension. I raised my awareness of that part of my body and did yoga. It has happened again since but was much more easily fixed.

Then I learnt a manoever to fix it myself. The power of this is being able to fix it immediately before the muscles are seriously affected by the herniation impinging on the nerve.

[Sqad]

I have never had your problem, but if my precis helps then fine. I agree with all that Scarlet and Beso have said.

The symptoms of intervertebral disk prolapse may be divided into two stages; the stage in which pain is confined to the back, and the stage in which pain is also present in the leg. Remissions are characteristic and are largely independent of treatment.

Surgical treatment of prolapsed disk is by no means certain to result in cure, certainly not immediate cure, and in some cases it is doubtful whether the slow improvement which results is directly attributable to surgery

It is my opinion that surgery should be reserved for those patients in whom prolonged rest has failed to give relief or for those in whom economic reasons render the prospect of a rather more speedy return to work desirable.

Good luck.

[carlyon bay]

thanks jamsam17,scarlett,beso,sqad and all will keep you posted