Might be going under the knife?

So all my life, even as a teenager, I've felt with sciatica nerve issues and back pain/ problems. Older I get the more my sciatica flair up. A year ago it got to the point I couldn't take it. X rays showed I had a extra lumbar vertebrae that was down in my hip socket. Physical therapy relieved it, and for 4 months or so I was pretty good. But soon sitting got uncomfortable, then couldn't walk as much. On January 31 this year I was cutting wood and slipped, that really set my back off. Finally gave in and went to chiropractor, he said my left leg was 10mm short of my right, and the 4th and extra 5th lumbar where twisted, along with rotated hips. Scoop a lot of adjustments later, and a set of orthopedic inserts for my boots (lots of money in both) and still not better. Went back to my medical Dr and he ran my through tests and found me to be less flexible then some of his 80yr old patients. (I'm 37) so he did a lot of muscle manipulations on me and was getting better, but not enough improvement for his liking. He thought all my problems where rooted in my back, but wanted a lower body MRI done to know for sure. Of course I freak fearing a tumor will be found. He assured me that it was all a nerve problem, just not sure what's causing it, and that surgery was a "very distant" possibility. So on Wednesday morning I got the MRI.

I gotta say, the MRI was extremely cool to do, I was fascinated by it, and got a short nap. The tech said that the radiologist would review it, get it to my Dr and he should get back to me by the end of the day... Two days later I finally go a call from my Dr, turns out I have a herniated disc, and my options are steroid shot or surgery. I'm to think about it over the weekend and let him know Monday.

I am so ready to be without pain, just need more info from the Dr to know what option would be best for me.

 

Man, that's awfully young to be having such issues.

I hope you get the relief you need with this possible surgery.

 

Good luck!

 

Good luck with all man.

 

Farmhand78,
I agree with other that you are very young to have those problems. My doc told me that we are born with sciatica in our lower backs. I have but not as bad as my dad had it. All I can tell you is he found great relief with the chiropractor.
Have you considered a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic. That is a world class place. Most good doctors respect a patients desire for a second opinion.
Whatever, your decision my prayers are with you for a right decision.

 

Thanks for the support everyone, I am really leaning towards the surgery. My mom had the same procedure done 20 some odd years ago, I know countless others that have had it done and claimed almost instant relief. My concern is my age, will this last my lifetime, or will I have more problem 20-30 years from now?

Lots to think about.

 

Good luck Bro....we need a this sucks button!

 

I really would get a second or third opinion, Minnesota Marty is right, the Mayo clinic is top notch, and worth a check. There's been so many issues with doctors recently not looking out for what's best for the patient.

Are there any side or ill effects of this possible surgery?

 

Like all surgeries there are the possibility of things to go wrong, but even the shot (if gone horrible wrong) could paralyze me.

Really since my Dr thought surgery wasn't going to be a option, we haven't talked it all the way through.

 

Do your research. Go on the web and look to see what your MD's hx is like. I've taken care of several post op patients who have had surgery. Outcomes are like night and day as to who did what. You want a well known specialist touching your back. You are young with a long history of back pain. Glad you got the MRI done.

 

I feel for you. I have 2 herniated discs which occasionally press on the sciatic nerve. It ain't fun. I was told that the operation works on some but I could also come out worse than I was before. Back Specalist suggested to me to try it without the surgery. I am now very careful how and what I lift. Based on your age that may be more difficult for you. Either way, best of luck to you..........

 

I herniated a disc several years ago - follow through on the shot, and follow physical therapy.
My pain went away as I walked out of the hospital, but a bit of nagging numbness/tingling down the back of my leg persisted off/on for 3-4 months.

The steroid will help relax and reduce swelling around the nerve, allowing things to heal up.
And as for the chiropractor(they have a place) but they want to put a ring on your finger - I have the fancy inserts as well

 

It seems scary, been there - they do these shots everyday for women in labor. I had mine in September and the Anesthesiologist was backed up that day- I joked with the nurses about it being a cold January, they kind of looked at me confused

 

Before the shot, did you have more back pain, or leg pain/numbness?


I am hoping to get a consult with my Dr on Monday to go over the options, as before the MRI he didn't think surgery would be necessary.

I think I will be looking for a new chiropractor at some point, I've had these inserts for 3 months know and my feet still hurt.

 

Definitely get a second opinion. A few of my friends parents have had back surgery. On one the pain was gone immediately the others pain still lingers on. Your in our prayers.

 

sorry to hear your at this point . last March I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease and advanced arthritis in the back. I commiserate with your thoughts. toughest part is thinking another attack is overdue with each passing day. the only thing I've done is maintain ibu therapy to stupid to do phys. ther. good luck and a pain free day!

 

When my sciatica started, really had no specific incident to tie it to outside of tripping over an old tomato cage while cutting on a slope - threw the saw and kind of landed on my butt.
Pain gradually got worse over several weeks before going to first chiropractor, finally got into an Orthopedic Surgeons office, he said radiculopathy(no that doesn't mean ridiculous - means bulging/herniation of a disc pressing on a nerve) Ordered an MRI - my immediate concern was he was ready for surgery, later learned that wasn't the case....
Within a day or two of the MRI being approved I woke up and the pain was gone, for a few days anyways.

I tried another Chiropractor he thought it was pelvic mobility - and every Chiropractor will tell you one leg is shorter than the other
I'd feel sometimes worse after leaving his office but kept wasting my money.
Finally went back to original Ortho surgeon, explained my concerns about being cut on. He reassured me that would be the last thing he'd ever recommend with two disc issues himself.
Had the MRI, and went to a Nerve specialist for additional testing, he was able to remote in and see the MRI and said he could see the herniation but the Orthopedic doc would have to give final diagnosis.

After getting back in to see him, confirmed L5-S1 herniation, which is common in women, and rare in men - unless you've had a fall type injury.
Had the shot a few days later, went to a PT who believed I could perform the stretches on my own, followed through on my end and haven't had any issue since.

Moral of the story: follow the real doctors advice, stop wasting money at Chiropractor

The inserts you have may need to be adjusted/shaved a bit, the place that made them should have included follow up appointments in the initial cost

 

basod thanks for your in put, I really appreciate finally hearing from someone that has lunch with the shot.

My main concern is relief of leg pain, and getting at least some range of motion in my left leg (I can only lift it 8-10" off the ground without pain now) if I still have back ache I can live with that, between exercise and ibuprofen I can manage back ache/pain. But nothing I do relieves the leg pain, numbness and tingling.

Will also look into getting inserts fixed!