Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 1 Location: North Carolina
bouts of back problems central protrusion Posted: 07-29-06 10:41am
Hello all-
i'm new to the boards and have some
questions. Any advice will be greatly
appreciated. I'll try and keep this
short:
2 years ago, my hubby fell off a 2 story
roof. We live in a beach community, so
he actually feel the equivilant of 3
stories. He landed on his face &
shoulders in the sand. He was air lifted
to the trauma center in the next state.
We were so fortunate that he walked out of
the trauma center that night with no
broken bones. The only diagnostic tests
performed at the trauma center that night
were x-rays. I asked them to do mri, cat
scan, something, but was told they were
just too busy. This is a long story, so
i'll just leave it at that.
Anyway, my husband had never had any kind
of back trouble before the fall. Since
the fall, he has bouts of back problems.
These problems have started happening more
often, are longer in duration and are more
and more painful with each flare up.
He has been through intensive physical
therapy several times and has finally
allowed our primary doctor to refer him
for an mri. We got the unofficial
"verbal" results by phone the other day.
Diagnosis is as follows:
"central protrusion l-4 & l-5 with a
smaller central protrusion at l-5"
if I am correct, this basically means
herniated disc? I just don't know.
I've done some research on the internet
and have found some information, but
really feel that I might get more
information from someone who has dealt
with this.
My husband will be going to an
occupational therapist again. I also
have him use my tens unit, but I really am
desperate to find out as much information
as possible. We need to know what we are
dealing with and what we might expect as
far as long term. I know different
people experience pain and recovery
differently, but any information will be
much appreciated.
Thank you in advance for any help you can
give. :)
lezlee
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MN-Mike
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 10
Re: Desprate For Info. Regarding My Husbad Posted: 07-29-06 15:19pm
Lezlee.
Amazing, they didn't have time for an mri
after a 2 story fall....Wow.
I wouldn't assume that your hubby has a
herniated disc. Usually a herniated disc
causes constant and consistent trouble and
pain. He may have a bulged disc or two
which can cause occasional or sporatic
trouble. If the annular ring has a tear,
this is considered a herniated disc. With
a tear, the disc material is allowed to
squeeze out and put pressure on the
nerves....Surgury is quite successful for
this type of injury.
A bulged disc sure seems to be harder to
treat but therapy, proper posture and
movement (no twisting while bending over,
lifting with legs, etc) can make life ok
with a bulged disc. Unfortunately, a bad
bulge can put pressure on the nerves and
cause pain too and, has a good chance of
causing an annular tear and rupturing
later in life.
Not all is bleak though. I can say that I
have been pretty good presently having 3
discs with multiple bulges for 10 years
and have had surgury on 2 multiple
herniated discs in my younger years. I
raced moto-x and snocross for years and
just retired at 40 only because I moved to
a different state. Sounds stupid and
risky eh? But I won't let life pass me by
because of a little pain.
It is a matter of opinion but, I have
stayed far away from chiropracters since a
couple of bad experiences - they caused a
bulged disc to herniate, maybe it would
have later anyways. I also found no
relief from pain with them. I tried
therapy for years with no real help
either, but others swear they couldn't
live without it.
Just harp on the hubby to be careful with
what he does, stay as active as possible,
and to stay or get in good shape. If you
find there is a herniated disc, find a
well known nero-surgeon with plenty of
experience, it is imperitive to get it
done right the first time.
I wish you both well.
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krisrench1
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 21 Location: new hampshire
Posted: 08-09-06 19:42pm
Bulging discs are very troublesome and do
often flare up with varying levels of pain
and incapacitation. I am an occupational
therapist and a director of rehabiliation
in southern new hampshire and do treat a
lot of patients with this condition. Have
you always gone to the same therapy
clinic? Perhaps it is time to consider
going to a different clinic...As treatment
methds vary greatly. The previous poster
is correct...Stay away from chiropractors
for this condition...Though they often
have therapists that they are affiliated
with who are spinal specialists.
Regardless, I think that you should find a
therapy clinic that specializes in spinal
conditions and perhaps you will have
better luck. What does your husband do
for a living? That may have drastic
implications on his rate of
recurrence....If you need anything more
feel free to email me.
