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Opinion question, my husband is 40 years & has 3 lower herinated disks. We did a series of 2 lumbar injections & physical therapy (injury occured in Jan.) and now they want to go in an remove "pieces" of the disks in hopes of relieving the pressure and pain. If this doesn't work then they say we're looking at "Plates & screws", how do you feel about these options. They did a discogram a couple of weeks ago, which made him in more pain than before. It now radiates down his right leg constantly along with all the other pain. I can't find much information on the web about any of this - and feel like I'm at the doctor's mercy. We've been going to a neurosurgeon and he along with an orthopedic would perform the surgery.
In Reply to: Herinated Lumbar Disk posted by Alee on April 30, 2001 at 14:56:49:
There is a treatment that regenerates the disk and strenghtens the ligaments that hold the disk together to begin with. It is called prolotherapy. www.prolotherapy.com is the link.
In Reply to: Herinated Lumbar Disk posted by Alee on April 30, 2001 at 14:56:49:
Alee,
Not sure how long your husband can hold out; but along with physical therapy chiropractic is another conservative approach. There are many cases where a patient wont need surgery after getting treated by a chiro for disc herniations. That doesnt mean your husband should go skiing in the future but it might be better then surgery.
Again its your choice what you do and I'm not sure how much pain your husband is in etc (or the lack of function etc...)
Personally I would look for a chiropractor and be upfront with him/her about your husbands condition and also look for one that does a technique called 'lumbar distration' (uses a special table that was developed to help in disc cases etc ...).
I mean look at it this way. After your husband has surgery I think there is a 50% chance that he'll still be in the same amount of pain or worse (not sure if those statistics are still accurate). And there isnt much else you can do after surgery (they remove bone and or disc etc ...)
just some suggestions ...
Sean
In Reply to: Herinated Lumbar Disk posted by Alee on April 30, 2001 at 14:56:49:
Hi, Alee.
Start by reading everything in the archives about spinal problems. THEN, if you still have questions, write again.
Walt
In Reply to: Herinated Lumbar Disk posted by Sean on May 02, 2001 at 05:29:53:
Thanks, Sean.
Actually the statistics are 30% show improvement, 30% stay the same and 30% get worse following surgery.
For, Allee: Both you and your husband need to sepnd a few hours on the archives about spinal conditions so, at least, you will know most of your options. You can always have the surgery!
Remember the old adage: "To a hammer, everything looks like a nail!" SO, if you go to a surgeon, he will recommend a surgical solution. Then both you and your husband have to live with the consequences.
Walt
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