Degerative Discs And Transitional L5/s1 Vertebra? Posted: 01-14-08 15:55pm
Greetings everybody.
I'm 37 and have struggled with low back
pain since the age of 14. There wasn't an
accident or traumatic event ... it just
got sore one day and has continued to get
worse.
It's all on the Left side at what feels
like the L5 S1 area and radiates into my
groin and upper leg. I can't bend to the
right at all and bending forward is very
uncomfortable. Driving, especially right
turns are tough. I can't to a left legged
straight leg raise.
My medical dossier is thick. I've had
several MRIs that all point out moderate
degeneration at the 3 lowest levels, but
no bulges or other anomaly other than a
mention of a transitional vertebra. I've
investigated these it sounds somewhat
controversial whether or not these have a
bearing on low back pain.
I get frequent flareups, and even my
normal level of pain is significant. I
haven't been able to do a left ham string
stretch in over 20 years. Everytime I try
(at the suggestion of reputable health
practitioners) I flare. Can all this be
caused by a few moderately degenerated
discs? Could the Lumbo sacral
transitional vertebra (fusing lumbar disc
and sacrum on right side) be responsible
for Left sided pain?
