little miss fire

Has anyone every slipped a disc in their back? If so, did it make itself better or did you have to have an operation?

I found out this morning that I have a slipped disc (not all the way, but a bulge apparentely) and I've got to go to physio to see if that helps.

Thanks

lmf

GaryCat

Go to an Osteopath, they are far more effective than a physio.

Trashman

A slipped or to give it it's proper name Prolapsed Disc is just as you describe - a bulge in the disc where the jelly like contents ooze out.

Yep had it and still do (most of whats left of the bottom few discs in my back are 'slipped). I suffer more with sciatica which is commonly the problem people report - pains in the leg and buttocks/numbness down the outside of the leg and foot - caused by the bulge pressing on the nerve.

My consultant said that in most cases, it will clear up given time. Various methods help including ultrasound, heat treatment, physiothereapy (which actually include the first 2). Was going to go for an Op but when I weighed the level of pain/inconvenience on the last biggest episode (and having tried the epidural procedure as well and more intense physio and acupunture), I decided to wait. And things have improved, although I am left with a permanent numbness in my right leg and get pins and needles if I stand awkwardly or in the same position for two long.

Bizarrely in my case, the hard ride and bucket seats of the scoob actually help my back but then I was a contradiction in most treatment also

As I said, in most cases it will clear up, even if the disc never actually returns to normal.

How did you do it BTW? Mine was originally a lifting/twisting above chest height injury - yep worst thing you can do as the person who saw me lifting knew. Unfortunately suddenly grabbing the other end of a TV and sifting the weight is what did the damage.

You have my sympathies - very nasty and painful injury Hope it clears up soon.

little miss fire

Gary Cat

Have been 4 times to the oestopath in the lst 18 months. He sorts it out for a few months only, then the pain comes back and I have had to go see him again. Thought that i would try to get to the cause of the pain this time, so have been referred to physio by my GP.

Trashman

Depends on the injury, Osteopaths deal with bones. Physio's deal with muscles. Discs sit between the two though a good physio will be able to deal with that (and I mean a good one who specialises in back injuries/problems). If you can get to Berks I know a very good one.

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

Never could initially understand when Mrs D continually had a reoccurring slipped disc why there was a reluctance to operate, finally when one ruptured they finally did decide to operate. It took about a year for her to return to normal & wasn't the quick fix that we had presumed, and reinforced the why all alternatives are sought first.
Look at an operation as a last resort and not as an alternative to rest & physio. (difficult when you're in major pain.)
Find out who the top local consultant uses as a physio & get referred to them, not the local sports injuries rub down clinic.

D

little miss fire

Trashman - I can't exactly put it down to doing somethimg in particular. I've had problems since last Feb and the physiotherapist said it has just slowly come out over time. I last bout of pain came the weekend before last when I was doing many things that could have caused it, gardening, play fighting, being pilion on a road bike, thrashing my quad about.......... No more of that for a while

I've been referred to a BUPA hospital (works private health) and the guy is the senior physiotherapist, so hopefully I'm in good hands.

Trashman

As per above, the lifting did the initial damage, the final blow was 2 days at Alton Towers and 2 nights in a tent getting pi$$ed

No reason why you wont return to full fitness and can go mad again. You're on BUPA - great, you've paid for this through income tax so don't be afraid to keep insisting if things aren't right or aren't working. But do be prepared for it to be a while before you are 100% fit - as you rightly say this didn't happen suddenly (neither did mine) and it wont be fixed suddenly so don't get despondent if it drags on.