I herniated a disc in my back a few years ago and had thought I could “will” my way back to health. It hasn’t worked. Have resigned myself to the probability that I will eventually need an operation and would like to have it done by the best doctor I can find. Any recommendations I could get would be sincerely appreciated.
Thanks.
I don’t know your situation bob, but from my own experience of not being able to walk for three months, I have essentially made a full recovery (touch wood). I opted not to have surgery but to simply wait it out. Every doctor I saw recommended surgery, but my sister’s failed surgery and now constant pain from sciatica made me wary of it.
In England you cannot have back surgery for something like 12 weeks because of problems with the health system, however something like 97% of people spontaneously recover in that period and then require physio-therapy.
The longer term outcome from not having surgery Vs having it are negligible.
dartmed.dartmouth.edu/winter06/h … papers.php
Fox is right. The long term prognosis is about the same, whether you have the surgery or not.
Most herniations turn into natual fusions after 5-7 years anyway, due to the disc material drying out and shrinking.
If their is no risk to the spinal cord, you may be better to wait it out.
I suffered a few herniations in 1990, I was laid out for about 3 months. It then took about 4 more months of PT and about a year of chiropractic care to feel better. I don’t think chiro is a cure, but may offer some pain relief, ymmv. Mine worked well for me, and gave my body time to heal itself.
Now my only problem is occasional flare-ups due to the reduced opening for the nerves. There is not enough space to handle an inflamed nerve. However, this is true whether you have a natutal fusion (ie. do nothing) or a surgical fusion.
Since the long term outcome is the same, in most cases, why risk someone with a knife so close to your spine.
Thanks fox.
I’ve had back problems most of my life. Bad about fifteen years ago, then it really popped about three years ago and “in near constant pain from sciatica” is probably a good description of my condition now. It’s not “always” that bad but it’s bad enough that I almost never forget about it. If I could lose weight, who knows? Damn it’s hard to do though at fifty living in Taipei.
So many things seem to be factors. I’m positive that walking around on concrete surfaces all the time is bad. I’m sure stress is bad, fatigue is bad, screwing “seems” to be bad (hell of a hit there if it turns out to be true) but I’m thinking the stomach I have is what is doing the most damage. Some people can carry weight because they are just big people. Not me. I should weigh about seventy but actually tip in around eighty.
[quote=“bobl”]Fox is right. The long term prognosis is about the same, whether you have the surgery or not.
Most herniations turn into natual fusions after 5-7 years anyway, due to the disc material drying out and shrinking.
If their is no risk to the spinal cord, you may be better to wait it out.
I suffered a few herniations in 1990, I was laid out for about 3 months. It then took about 4 more months of PT and about a year of chiropractic care to feel better. I don’t think chiro is a cure, but may offer some pain relief, ymmv. Mine worked well for me, and gave my body time to heal itself.
Now my only problem is occasional flare-ups due to the reduced opening for the nerves. There is not enough space to handle an inflamed nerve. However, this is true whether you have a natutal fusion (ie. do nothing) or a surgical fusion.
Since the long term outcome is the same, in most cases, why risk someone with a knife so close to your spine.[/quote]
Thanks bobl.
First I’ve heard about “natual fusions.”
The thing is that this has been going on for a number of years and if anything, seems to be getting worse.
I’m not big on the idea of an operation either but have heard that the techniques have improved substantially in the last few years.
What a few good doctors have told me is that I should try to lose weight, pay close attention to what does and does not aggravate the condition and adjust my lifestyle accordingly, but if it pops again have a good surgeon lined up.
Ever tried chiro? I was in a car accident that gave me 2 herniated discs and I walked on crutches for half a year. Physiotherapy only took me to so far but chiropractic care took me to the next level of pain relief.
Also, regular exercise, especially core muscle exercises (abs, lower back) helps to stabilize the spine and decreases pain.
Back in the land of blizzards and beavers that was something that definitely worked. That was before the disc actually popped though. I had a tui na guy here for awhile and I’m sure he agrravated the thing.
Also, regular exercise, especially core muscle exercises (abs, lower back) helps to stabilize the spine and decreases pain.Been lazy about that recently I must admit.
Went to one of those “ladies in underwear get in free” deals last night. First time out in ages. Danced till the sun came up and cured my sciatica. Now I’m sitting here and it’s coming back.
From having witnessed my father over the decades, I would do everything possible to avoid back surgery. He must’ve been in his early 30’s when he had his first operation, which led to another years later, then another, then another, then another, then another, each time thinking the next surgery would cure the problems caused – yes perhaps somewhat by the initial problem, but – mostly by the succession of surgeries. My dad’s always enjoyed exercise, was on his college swim team and hikes regularly, but now almost age 80 his back is rigid from all the discs fused together (5? 6?), fancy metal contraptions imbedded inside, and tensed, tangled knots of muscles and scar tissue where all the incisions were made in failed attempts to cauterized pinched nerves or fix worn out discs, etc., etc., and from the insertions and removals of various devices. And it didn’t all turn bad for him in his 70’s. While he’s enjoyed an active lifestyle since my childhood – waterskiing, climbing mountains, traveling – he’s always known back pain, sometimes subsiding so that others aren’t aware of his condition, but other times getting so excruciating that we all know he’s a mess and is drugging himself heavily trying to deal with the pain.
As I mentioned, having seen his progression over the decades, I strongly believe he screwed up by going under the knife over and over and over. His back has now been messed with by so many surgeons (admittedly many are superstars in the medical profession, but so what) and been altered in so many unnatural ways, that he could never expect to have it return to anything close to a normal, healthy state.
So, good luck to you. Having seen what I’ve seen, I’d do everything possible to lose weight, do gentle stretching exercises regularly (twice a day), begin a very slow, easy light-weight weight-lifting program to strengthen the back muscles, use massage, heating pads, hot-tubs, etc, and forestall surgery until you’re in screaming pain and absolutely can’t take another minute.
Thanks MT.
You can believe I don’t want any operations.
Anyway, my back had been bugging me so bad, and for so long that I was beginning to think it was inevitable.
Then two nights ago I went out, got pissed and danced all night with a bunch of girls in their underwear. Effected a near complete cure as far as I can tell, so far.
Stupid story but completely true.
I’m going to keep trying the heat, yoga, light exercise, accupuncture (met a brilliant accupuncturist) diet and rest. Rest is best. Rest, and dancing apparently.
Girls in their underwear? Dancing? Where?
In their underwear silly. 
It was admittedly a little crowded in there…
… and the ol reach round, squeeze a boob didn’t go over so spectacularly as might have been expected given the level of intimacy acheived so far. Oh well, it’s a “cultural” thing I guess.
Live and learn.
TTIWWOP