Ruptured disk?

[rickyboy]

I'm going to wade in here because I have also had the herniated disc issue. L4 L5
I had a procedure called a "percintanious disectomy" {not sure of the spelling}
It was micro "day" surgery where they went into the back, through the main nerve coloum {that's a story in it's self} with a needle that was inserted into the center of the disc. There it "chewed up" a portion of the disc and was sucked back out through the needle. Kind'a like letting some air out of your bicycle tire to alleviate a bulged tire. They slapped a bandaid on my back and I walked out of the hospitallater that day. I was awake for the entire procedure and watched it all on a TV monitor. I had some local surface freezing but had to be able to wiggle my feet so they knew they hadn't hit nerves for my feet and could cause "drop foot". That's where you end up having to flop your foot in order to walk, because of the loss of some motor skills in the ankle/foot. ..... The trick was to stay perfectly still {other than "wiggling" my feet when asked to} during the entire procedure. Some of you reading this are sure to enjoy this explanation......They first had me lay in a fetal position with my legs taped together .... hands above my head taped together and then finally I was taped at the feet and arms to the gurney just to insure I didn't move. LOL !!! Upon inserting the needle they hit the main nerve running the length of the spinal column and it was like I was hit by a high voltage wire, where I involentarily ripped myself free of the gurney I was taped to. orderly's/people came out of the woodwork to hold me down telling me "don't move!!" Like I had a choice !! They also cleaned up the small spurs around the disc's that were helping to compress the nerves. Anyway, it went well over all and I took it easy for the next 4-6 weeks. After that I went into a rehab program for a few weeks to strengthen the core. Other than a few instances over the yrs. since, I haven't looked back. IMHO a far better choice than getting a fusion done. But to each their own. I wish you good luck with whatever choice you make.

[dank]

Just FYI for everyone: the Terms "herniated" and "ruptured" are used to describe the same type of disc injury/problem. Herniated discs are the same as ruptured discs. The other category is bulging disc.

http://www.symptomfind.com/health/bu...erniated-disc/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bulging-disk/AN00272
http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/h...ed_vs_bulging/
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/tc/he...topic-overview

[Tynker]

Originally Posted by Pitchinguy

MRI results back today & confirmed a ruptured disk between L4 & L5. Dr wants to try steroid injection. Anybody been there, done that?

Been there done that. Injections helped, for 3 months. Then operation was next. It was in 1996. 3 days in hospital, then no duty for 30 days, then light duty for 2 months. I was a truck driver then. Have not had any problems since. I did lose 11% on my range of motion. I can only ride my bike for 50/70 miles, before I have to get off and walk around for 5 minuets. I can do this all day with no problems.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by dank

Just FYI for everyone: the Terms "herniated" and "ruptured" are used to describe the same type of disc injury/problem. Herniated discs are the same as ruptured discs. The other category is bulging disc.

http://www.symptomfind.com/health/bu...erniated-disc/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bulging-disk/AN00272
http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/h...ed_vs_bulging/
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/tc/he...topic-overview

Good catch! You are very correct...