Herniated Disc in lower back

[TSandM]

Low back pain is an interesting entity. It is extremely common (I think something over 40% of Americans will suffer it at some time in their lives, enough to see a physician or other practitioner). The etiology can be difficult to sort out. A lot of people with back pain have disc bulges on MRI, but a lot of people with NO back pain do, too (those studies have been done). It can be quite difficult to determine whether any individual's pain is due to a disc issue or not, unless there are clearcut neurologic symptoms to go along with the pain.

The initial treatment of low back pain is antiinflammatories and pain medication. If there is muscle spasm present (which there usually isn't, but these often get prescribed anyway) we use muscle relaxants. None of this works very well, but luckily, in the majority of cases, the symptoms are self-limited and resolve within a week or two.

Beyond that, physical therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture are used. According to the literature, none of them works very well, either. The pain relief from PT and chiropractic is about the same, but the patients seeing the chiropractor generally report a greater amount of satisfaction. (In my personal experience, that was because the chiropractor was the only person who honestly seemed glad to see me with my back pain. ) Acupuncture has a good record for pain relief, but does not treat the underlying problem.

Surgery has a very spotty track record. If patients are carefully selected for clearcut neurological symptoms, they tend to do well. Unfortunately, surgery is all too often employed for patients who simply have not gotten pain relief from any other modality, and they often don't get good relief from surgery, either.

The good news is that, at least from my experience and what the literature says, a herniated disc at age 28 is NOT a death sentence for anything fun you want to do. It IS a strong message from your body that something needs to change. Strengthening the core muscles can help prevent further injury. Looking at the technique you use for the things you do is well worth while -- Are you using good technique to minimize stress on your back?

I had ten years of intermittent symptoms, sometimes quite severe, and here I am at 53, lifting tanks and carting doubles and scooters in and out of the water. I'm careful, but I get it done. Don't give up hope!

 

[ppo2_diver]

I had ten years of intermittent symptoms, sometimes quite severe, and here I am at 53, lifting tanks and carting doubles and scooters in and out of the water.

I thought you had drones that do that! Thanks for the insight.

Duane

 

[wildwater]

Just wondering about the subject of "Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy" we are all divers here and I have heard the pressure/increased oxygen reaching the capillaries during diving, will help in the healing process. So I have done two 33 ft dives which is the depth I heard was appropriate for healing. (?)

I am investigating this subject and asking these question because, two weeks ago I had a mystery bout with an incapacitating, left: upper back/neck/arm problem - including numbness out to my index finger- (like it is asleep- still)

This occured over night during my sleep without cause - strange - and painfull - I couldnt move to even get out of bed.

All this to say I had xrays done with no identifiable issues in the bone and was just prescribed pain killers, anti inflammatories and some relaxation, which has reduced the pain to an ache in the arm and numbness in the hand and fingers.. so It will probably pass eventually.

Any information you may have on this subject of diving therapy, or a pointer to some, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Andrew

 

[Otter]

Interesting thread. A couple months ago I was having muscle spasms in my lower back that almost left me unable to walk. The doc gave me some muscle relaxers and pain meds. That helped for a while, but the chiro stuff over the past couple months has helped out a lot and I don't have any back pain. Now I've got pain down my right *** cheek and hamstring. I think it is sciatica and a herniated disk, but the doc says it was just muscle strain. I have not problem walking/running or doing anything. It just hurts like all hell when I try to stand up or sit down. I go back to the doc this coming week to discuss the diagnosis.

Thats exactly how mine started....turned out to be a herniated disc between L4-L5. It got progressively worse to the point that it felt like my leg was on fire. Between time, PT, and anti-inflamatories it got progressively better. Its been over a year now and while I am still cautious, I have had no significant reoccurances. I do planking 3-4 a week which has helped core. I and the Doc opted not for the shots -- one they became less and less relevant and two, while they are relatively low risk, anytime you are sticking a needle into your back, there is risk -- if nothing else, from infection.

 

[ppo2_diver]

Between time, PT, and anti-inflamatories it got progressively better.

How long did it take before the pain subsided? I'm not to big on taking pills or shots, but I just want some kind of relief soon.

 

[Scared Silly]

Duanne, I had what you are describing but it went all the way down the back my leg and wrapped around my ankle - textbook siatic nerve pinch. L4-l5-s1 for me. 9 months on Vioxx (now banned) and reurontin, plus three shots in the back. Took 9 months for the pain to go away and 12 months to pretty much fully resolve. Short term you can do surgery - mostly a quality of life issure as the recovery for both routes I was told by my surgeon was about the same. I chose pain over surgery .

 

[abacosteve]

Surgery should be the last resort after conservative therapy has failed. That being said, the danger is that once surgery is indicated by MRI, putting it off can cause permanent paralysis due to chronic nerve root compression. One of my bar tricks is to stick the lateral portion of my left leg with something really sharp - I can't feel it. I also tend to trip going up stairs if I don't concentrate (permanent foot drop). Earlier this year I stupidly went skiing in Colorado with one herniated and one severly bulging cervical discs. The neurosurgeon told me that I was quite lucky not to be a paraplegic after that particular endeavor. After 6 spinal surgeries, I figure diving might be a bit less conducive to a seventh...

 

[Otter]

How long did it take before the pain subsided? I'm not to big on taking pills or shots, but I just want some kind of relief soon.

Me either...but I can tell you that Ibuprofen and ice packs became my friend. As for how long, symptoms began March 21 and were pretty much gone 5 months later. Everything I read says it takes on average 6 months....youngster are usually faster, oldsters a bit longer. Intense pain lasted 2 months or so with 1 week of pure hell (about a month after symptoms began and ignored).

I used to think that taking Iburprofen was just to kill the pain -- and therefore I could do without -- however, I believe the anti-inflamatory benefits mean its worth it. Now, when I feel a twinge, I pop 3. Probably have only had do that 2 or 3 times in the last year.