Lower Lumbar Spine degeneration - advice needed

[mbl]

Hello All,

I am a 50 year old female, I will tell you the story from the start so as you can get the picture !
back in December I fell over on the ice, I was initially ok after the fall with no cut or bruises, however about 3 months after that I was experiencing some pain in my thigh area, upon investigation i was diagnosed with Hip Bursitis, I went for a cortisone injection the other day and the consultant examined by lower back and it was rather tender and he said it was wear and tear and advised me to arrange some core strenghtening excercises through physio dept, anyhow I had his report sent to me and he mentions that the bursitis is in no doubt secondary to my lower spine degeneration !
As I had gone to him intially for bursitis problem maybe that's why he never went it much detail about this, obviously I am concerned about it and want to know more about it, I will be going back to see him but in the meantime as you can imagine I am very worried - Tenderness in L5/S1 region was mentioned
Just wanted to know if lower lumbar spine degeneration is the same as Degeneration disk disease
and is arthritis (wear and tear) all one and the same.

Thanks in advance

[admin]

Hello mbl

Degenerative disk disease is different from arthritis

My understanding is that many people get degenerative disk disease as they age and also have some level of arthritis - although for many people it has little or no effect and so they never really know about it.

So I wouldn't worry about it. Physiotherapy and lower back exercises are a common prescription for this.

Please do share how the exercises go and what sort of exercises you do.

Good Luck

[Leeann]

Degenerative disk disease is just the drying out of the disks ~ they lose hydration due to age, and this tends to make them bulge and/or herniate. Most of the world's adult population is walking around right now with either a bulgiing or herniated disk, and they don't know it. We "get" degenerative disk disease as we age, but some of us get it earlier than others. I was afflicted with it at age 38 - at least that's when I was diagnosed with it - I must have had it much earlier. There does NOT have to be arthritis with DDD.

You should do back strengthening exercises with it, to keep the disks from herniating. Physical therapy can teach you the correct way of doing these. You should be very careful about lifting and twisting. There are proper ways of lifting and physical therapy will show you that as well. Best of luck!

[Thoamas S.]

mbl,

I'm a 42 year old who fell at work 2 years ago and herniated my L-4, L-5, S-1 that affected both of my legs with severe pain. I was also diagnosed with DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) from previous injuries over the years. From all the information that I have received over that past couple years the terms you mention at the end of your post are all the same. mbl, I was given extensive medications, was told that I needed surgery (2 level fusion), physical therapy 3 times and the one thing that worked was this GSM HAN TENS UNIT. I had similar treatments with it in therapy but from what my therapist said it's a new revolutionary device that they love and have been using in their clinic for the past 3 months. They had a rep from the company come to my therapy appointment and he went over everything. I felt immediate benefit and want to share my experience with everyone because I was hopeless. My back feels 50% better since I get this device 2 months ago. I take it everywhere I go. See if you can get one, mbl. The company is called Golden State Medical, Inc. and they have a website. Good Luck!

Thomas

[Leeann]

Hi Thomas ~ You were told that the TENS UNIT is something NEW???? I had one 25 years ago! It certainly isn't new. I don't know why he told you it was a NEW device cause these have been around for a very long time. Unfortunately for me, it tended to irritate my sciatic nerve even more, so I didn't use it much. I had hope it would work, but so far nothing has, and I've had sciatica for 25 years. Thanks for the info, tho. God bless. Hugs, Lee

[mbl]

Helllo Thomas,

Thanks for the reply, I am seeing a spinal specilaist this Friday with a view to getting an MRI. I have looked up so many back conditions and symptoms that I really don't know what I could have, I'm thinking it could be facet joint syndrome but then I dont have trouble
bending backwards ! I just get stinging stabbing like pain in the buttocks that don't radiate down the legs I also get a strange deep stinging throbbing sensation around the pelvic area... I am hoping the MRI will reveal all and hopefully then; I will get the right treatment.

Will keep you posted

Marian

I'm a 42 year old who fell at work 2 years ago and herniated my L-4, L-5, S-1 that affected both of my legs with severe pain. I was also diagnosed with DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) from previous injuries over the years. From all the information that I have received over that past couple years the terms you mention at the end of your post are all the same. mbl, I was given extensive medications, was told that I needed surgery (2 level fusion), physical therapy 3 times and the one thing that worked was this GSM HAN TENS UNIT. I had similar treatments with it in therapy but from what my therapist said it's a new revolutionary device that they love and have been using in their clinic for the past 3 months. They had a rep from the company come to my therapy appointment and he went over everything. I felt immediate benefit and want to share my experience with everyone because I was hopeless. My back feels 50% better since I get this device 2 months ago. I take it everywhere I go. See if you can get one, mbl. The company is called Golden State Medical, Inc. and they have a website. Good Luck!

Thomas[/QUOTE]

[mbl]

Hello All,

I had a Ct scan recently and had the results last week, as suspected I have facet Joint Hypetrophy (although I do need to see a copy of the letter he is sending to my GP)
has anybody else on here got this and how do you cope with it, and would you advise joint injections

Thanks

[Leeann]

Hi ~ Well, these injections are steroids, and they are just a temporary fix IF they work. Many many people don't get any relief from them, but it's possible you may get some. Usually people only get perhaps 3 months relief or so, but I have heard of folks getting up to a year of comfort. That is very rare tho.

I guess it's worth it if that's your only option. I HOPE your doctor has you on some sort of pain medication too! I know that this can be very painful. Best of luck and please let us know how you came out, ok? God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee