24 Year Old with Prolapsed Disc Needs ADVICE

[Kellie]

Hi Tom & Everyone Else,

Where do I start?!?........

I hope this is of interest and help.

I am 30 year man old, sporty person (footy, cricket, gym etc.) and have been all my life. About 4-5 years ago I suffered something called a Sports Hernia (Gilmores Groin), I went from Doctor to Doctor for 1-2 years in a lot of pain, they kept saying take some painkillers it should go away after a few wees (basically because they didn't actualy know what I had). Eventually I googled and found a specialist sport injury doctor and he diagnosed me and had me operated on within 2 days.

Post of was one of the most painful experiences of my life, mainly down to the type of op, but after 2 years of rehab I was getting better.

Since the op I had terrible back pain which was diagnosed after MRI's & X Rays as a Prolapsed Disc, this was probably due to fact I went almost 2 years undiagnosed with the sports hernia and this had a detrimental affect on other parts of my body. I had Physio & Facet Joint Injections all of which did nothing and maybe even made it worse.

I finally went to see an Osteopath in the hope that he could help me, as by this time my pain was so bad I was in a right state.

He went through and explained the situation telling me that it will take time and that these things don't actually heal themselves very well if at all and what I would need to do is strengthen the area. It all made pefect sense so I had concervative treatment every 1-2 weeks alonmg with him giving me various core stregthing exercises, i've had my ups and downs good days and very bad days but on the whole since all my hard work (in the gym on the swiss ball and alot of stretching (3-4 times a week), i am now able to play sports again for the first time in almost 4 years! .........

It took an awful amount of disiplin and hard work and I would suggest you may do the same. Strengthen the area with alot of the 'correct' core stability work, strech out and stregnthen your hips especially......

I can give you the routine I've been doing and what's worked for me, I understand everyone's different but you never know. My pain to start with was 11 out of 10 and constant, but 2 years on its a manageble 3. The only thing is now the disc is pressing on a nerve and I have bloody sciatica! but this is nothing compared to the pain I had before.

For me it's all about strengthening the weakened area and other areas of your body along with concervative treatment. It's a long road but work hard it and it will be worth it.

Hope this doesn't sound too preachy and is not too long.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Artism]

Hi everyone,

After no advice from my doctors and radiology department in the Isle of Man I saw this forum and had to send out message for some help. I was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc about 3 years ago now and have been in pain every day since then. After trying physio, and back exercises with no luck, it was finally suggested that I have facet joint injections. I recently moved to the Isle of Man from Newcastle so have had the procedure done here 2 weeks ago and am due to have more next week. The injections have not seemed to help at all unfortunately and the pain has now travelled down to my thighs as well as my back. It is a real task to climb stairs and every step hurts which has really got me down. I am a nanny for 4 children under 4 years old too which i am sure hasn't helped my back as am constantly lifting the 11 month old baby. On monday at work i suffered excrutiating back pain and the breath was knocked out of me it was that agonising. I rang my doctors straightaway and they said it sounded like a pulled muscle and prescribed me diazepam and diflofenac which have taken the edge off the pain but 2 days later I am still in a lot of pain and off work. I am worried that this is connected with my prolapsed disc and that I need a proper examination but the doctors here are being very laid back and are just telling me to rest. I am due to have the facet joint injections in one week but is this a good idea when i am still in so much pain? I hope someone can help me or give me some advice.

 

[abrawhisa]

Hi,

Personally I would ask for a re- assessment. A doctor can't diagnose like that over the phone!! After one disc it does seem to make it likely that others will suffer episodes too. Go make and make a noise. I You are lucky that you can still get facet joint injections as they seem to be cutting them down if not out.

 

[Caniac 30]

I had a prolapsed disc, trapping nerves in C6-C7 8 months ago. Saw Chiropractor, Physio, Surgeon, had Neck injections, shoulder injections. After all this, there was only one more option – Neck Fusion Operation. I couldn't lift my arm up, and surgeon was convinced the nerve was still trapped, and without surgery I would not be lifting the arm anytime soon! I had twinges in all manner of places, 1 being my bum! 2 days before the op, I could suddenly move my arm. (I had been continuing my exercises that Physio set). I cancelled op, and so far, I can still lift the arm, and gradually I feel the twinges are subsiding. The surgeon says this is very unusual for the nerve to untrap after such a long time, but I think it may have just done this!

I am reporting this to here, as there is hope! The only advise I can give, is keep up the exercise. I bought a neck stretching device, try everything and if you do need surgery - go for it, but you could have a rather last minute improvement!

If I ever get this again, though, I may not be so patient!

M