Degenerative Disc

[Claire Welsh]

I have severe degenerative disc L5/S1,the mri scan shows some deteriation of the bones either side of the worn disc.The spinal surgeon has recomended spinal fusion,but im not keen on having this done,its a big decission to make ,whether to have to have it done or not,i have constant back pain.Also i need to know what will happen to my back if i dont have the fusion.Are there any alternatives?please help!!!!

 

[waitingontheworldtochange]

HI Tink!

Sorry you had to chase me up.

The relief you got from osteopathic treatment - how long did it last and did they give exercises to help yourself?

Did you have a course of treatment or just a few one offs?

You may fair better with one that uses acupuncture as well or one that is also a naturopath.

In the absence of numbness, then I’m quite surprised that they offered to do a spinal fusion and, I’m guessing that you’re not particularly old.

Surgery is and should be a last resort and I would say that I’ve treated a couple of people with fusions, only to be able to give temporary relief. If they’re honest, then they would say that there is a possibility that it may make no difference or may even make it worse. Sorry, but I’d be lying to say otherwise.

If you’ve had temporary relief before, then at least you know that it can be better. Pain is almost solely due to inflammation;

Locally in your low back is most likely from the small face joints at the back of the spine ( I don’t know if they include them in the fusion), which are probably irritating each other because they are now closer together due to loss of disc height.

In the buttocks is likely to be referred pain, rather than the direct irritation of the nerve roots themselves.

The changes noted on the vertebral bodies themselves are likely to be osteophytes which are extra bony growths around the upper & lower rims of the bodies. They think this occurs as an effort to stabilise & support the ailing disc in between.

In short you need to reduce the inflammation, ideally without the use on pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories, as they act by blocking the inflammatory process, which is an essential part of the healing process. Essentially they cause more degeneration if taken long term. The research on that wasn’t well published not surprisingly.

Things to reduce the inflammation and help it drain away.

Keep moving, without overdoing it – different for everyone.

A naturopath, homeopath or herbalist would best advise you on things that may reduce the inflammation. Some I recommend on occasions include a low acid (buffered) Vitamin C with bioflavenoids, a super antioxidant formula called Revenol and Cat’s Claw.

Don’t take Cat’s Claw if you are any other medication or have any blood disorders, as it thins the blood.

And also, note that vit C can acidic fruits could also aggravate then inflammation.

Things that may help the integrity of the discs.

Drink plenty of water and cut down on diuretics i.e. tea, coffee & alcohol.

A Copper supplement and if it helps, then maybe a bracelet may be sufficient to keep you going.

Glucosamine sulphate and I believe that one with Glucosamine Hydrochloride is better, if you can find it in the UK. Others that seem to hep with cartilage are MSM & chondroitin.

Regular use if an inversion table, where you hang upside down may help, but be careful.

If you can calm it down for long enough, then it may settle, but some of the supplements may need maintaining for a good while or even indefinitely if prone to disc degeneration and injury.

If you go for the fusion and do nothing else, then you may have more discs do the same.

Good luck – Andrew.

 

[Maryshaye]

Thank you so much for your reply.i had 3-4 sessions with the osteopath,relief varied from 1 to 3 months,but the last time the relief wasnt good,but thats b4 i found out it was degenerating disc. What would your advise be regarding epidural pain relief? Thanks for all of your help . T

 

[Ranger]

It's relatively normal stuff. Degenerative disc are very common, in fact it happens to us all sooner or later. The difference with you is that the loss of hieght has been over a shorter period of time, so the surrounding tissues need time to comensate.

1-3 months relief is pretty good, so I would persue this. Have a course of treatment, then keep on top of it with appropriate exercises and the occasional maintainance treatment. But don't wait for the symptoms to return for this. Given time, you'll hopefully need these less frequently and may even be able to stop. That said - an occasional osteopathic treatment to keep everything moving is generally a good idea for most of us.

Re. Epidural - it may calm it down in the meantime, but won't address the underlying problem.

Andrew.

Some of above ideas may also help.

 

[RAF]

Thank you Andrew for your help and advise,im going to talk to my osteopath
today,shes calling me back later.Also going to purchase an inversion table (from ebay) been reading about them on the net.What did you mean about being carefull using one?are ther any contraindications?also whats the recommended daily time for using one?I appreciate your time to answer me and giving me your opinions...it means a lot...thank you again.Tracey

 

["Vallamkali"]

After doing a search on this site re the use of inversion tables, I found this thread, and it seemed to kind of hang up (haha, yeah, a cheesy intentional pun, my apologies)

I too am interested in the drawbacks of using an inversion table, I have one in my basement, that my father gave to me. Incidentally I do know of one drawback, and that is the reason I have it and my Dad doesn't. He is on aspirin therapy for his heart, and I guess that thins out the blood a bit so using the inversion table was giving him excruciating headaches. so when I started having my back problems about 3 years ago, he gave it to me. I have had it in my basement due to a combination of fear of using it for the wrong symptoms, as well as forgetting that it was there from time to time.

Thanks in advance for the info,

Buck

 

[Harlow Ember]

Hi Tink Im sorry you are going thru this, unless u suffer this no one can understand the effects it has on you. I have mild degenaration of l4/5 and 15 months ago my disc prolapsed very badly. I could only walk seconds before the pain became overwhelmingIfelt very low. Pain killers didn't touch it. after two microdiscectomy's My pain was still there and my quality of life became minimal. I researched lots of options one including a disc replacement this has good outcomes enables you to lead a normal life with full movement ( I work in the nhs lifting patients alot) and thought this would be perfect but unfortunatly not all nhs consultants will perform this. Mine did so I spoke to him about it but due to having the two ops early last year i had scar tissue which would not settle post op as the movement would affect it. my only option was to have a fusion which as you are aware is a scary thought.In my job Ihad not heard of many success stories so as you can imagine I was devasted but needed to give a go as I couldn't carry on the way I was. I had the op at the end of November 05 it was painful and felt alot of discomfortfor a few months follwing. I can go thru that further if you wish.on a positive note I am off all my painkillers ( 6 weeks now) still have discomfort but minimal Im back at work not full lifting yet but am now exercising more and more and am happy I have a long way to go still as you can't rush it but I believe that it is successful and there is lots of light at the end of the tunnel do look into your options I have a few links if you want. Hope this helps feel free to ask more TQ