Seeking Statistics of Disc Herniation Posted: 10-24-07 06:26am
I am a middle-aged male in good health.
In 2005, and in 2007, I have substantial
acute lower back pain, associated with
severe physical exercise on my part. At
least I take comfort in knowing that
much...the proximate causes.
Some 12 years ago, I strained something in
my lower back, stupidly attempting to lift
a heavy desk from a squat position. I
could feel a hot rush on both sides of my
lumbar spine, at the moment of lifting, on
that occasion. I knew I was impaired at
that moment, and made it home that evening
after a long drive. The next morning I
couldn't get out of bed without heavy
assistance. I went to the hospital (this
was my first lifetime episode of back
ailment) and the Kaiser HMO doc knocked my
knees with her little hammer, said I
didn't have a serious problem, and gave
me pills... Motrin, I believe. I needed
only one...as is so often my case with
pain medications.
Nevertheless, the memory of this has
scared me ever since. I have wondered if
I herniated anything, etc. I have had
occasional acute back ailments, following
heavy garden work, etc., over the years,
but no chronic pains.
In 2005 and 2007, I received X-ray
diagnostics for my back episodes, but my
requests for MRI have been refused.
Kaiser HMO doc says I get that only in
work up to surgery, which is not a
consideration here. X-rays show no
conspicuous compression. One doc in 2005
said I show evidence of arthritis in lower
spine, but since then I've heard
"everyone" shows this sign by age 50.
Lacking MRI, I am wondering how I might
gain further assurance that my discs are
not herniated? Are there statistics
available on this subject?
I presently believe my occasional back
pains are muscular or ligament -oriented
in nature, rather than skeletal. My
elderly parents have had more substantial
episodes consistent with herniation, etc.
I would rather compare apples to apples,
though, as aged parents are very different
case studies. Hence my interest in this
forum.
Any links to reputable statistics would be
greatly appreciated. I take solace in
numbers, if I cannot get pointed medical
diagnosis.
|
yogahoneybunny
Supporter
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 880 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Alternative treatment options for possible
disc herniation:
Saal, JS and Saal, JA., "Non-Operative
Treatment of Cervical Herniated Discs: An
Outcome Study." Presented at the North
American Spine Society annual meeting;
Minneapolis, Oct 1994. http://www.soarmedical.com
Nelson, B. The Herniated Disc: New
Concepts and Treatments. Physicians Neck
& Back Clinics [2005] http://www
.pnbconline.com/research/herinated_disc.ht
m
West, B. Backache and High-Tech Tests.
Health Alert. 1994;Vol. 11, No 10
