I am 21 years old and been suffering with very bad back problems for about 7 month now. I have had chiropractors and a number of physios and injections all without success. The MRI scan shows bulge on L4/5 and L5-s1. A number of physios have suggested it's all mechanical and told me I can be helped without surgery. Hundreds of pounds later still zero improvement on the pain and is badly effecting my life. Nhs doctor has suggested further injections whilst seeing yet another physio. Everyone I speak to says avoid surgery?
Hi Ben
I don't think it is a matter of not having surgery though it is not something to be undertaken lightly. I believe most medics say it will probably clear within 6 months, You are just over that and appear to have worked hard to resolve this without success.
At this point I wonder if the time has come to ask your GP to refer you to a neurosurgeon for advice. This doe not commit you one way or the other. An NHS surgeon has plenty of work and will not advise surgery unless needed but reading your MRI scan with you will advise you on the best course of action. Even if the answer is yes and you agree, from my own experience and that of some others on the board they will tell you you are free to change your mind later.
Finally if it comes to surgery do not let people influence you too much.- particularly those who have not suffered the pain and life disruption. Finally, if you have not already done so read a lot of the posts on here to get a feel.
Good luck
Angela
Thank you, this is very helpful the NHS physio I am currently seeing is not going to prolong treatment as I have already had a number of private ones. He's just trying the next few weeks and referring me back to a consultant for either injections or discussion of an operation.
Welcome Ben!
Thank you, this is very helpful the NHS physio I am currently seeing is not going to prolong treatment as I have already had a number of private ones. He's just trying the next few weeks and referring me back to a consultant for either injections or discussion of an operation.
Hi Ben.
Do you know what injections you are likely to have Ben, if you are having nerve root block injections at the L4/5 & L5/S1 levels, the thing to remember is that if you have these cortisone based injections they are very strong and and work very quickly (15-30 minutes) often completely eradicate the bulk of the pain!
But, only if they are injected into the area where the 'root cause of your pain is located' In other words, if your feel 'little or no' pain reduction the likely hood is that your pain is coming from elsewhere and you will need to be strong and demand more tests!
I hope all goes well, take care.
Best of luck Ben
SPINELF