My MRI stated that I have mild disc degeneration at l4-5 without focal disc or spinal stenosis.?
I need help understanding how servere this issues is and if it can be treated? I have had a emg/ncs study test and it was normal and I have had physical thearpy. After receiving thearpy my back continue to hurt.
Answers:
My boyfriend suffered a major work-related injury to the same area and has since suffered with chronic pain and can no longer work labour jobs. The most effective treatment is Pilates as it works to strengthen the muscles in the area and is generally low impact. Also maintaining a good healthy diet high in calcium to maintain strong bones will help. There are solutions out there. Good luck and good health!
This is good news! The disc has only mild wear and tear, and there is no sign of nerves being pinched or pushing on any of the other nerves that pass by. This means your body will heal up with time. Other than resting your sore back, no special treatment is needed otherwise. Therapy will teach you how to do your everyday activities, without making it feel worse. If you hurt more after therapy, then I would suggest you should stop.
You have 5 lumbar vertebrae. Between them are jelly-like structures called discs. Age, injury and genetics can cause degeneration of these discs at any level. I happen to have it at levels 1-5. You're lucky to have it at only one level: between the 4th and 5th lumber vertebrae. It can be severe if left untreated. If the emg is normal, just continue to exercise and do therapy. Eventually the pain will go away.
I personally have been seeing a Chiropractor for 7 years and have pain only intermittantly now.
Surgery is a possibility, but most people I know who have had surgery said they only got worse.
I have the same problem, but with more disc degeneration & more disc involved. You can get injections to relieve the pain, NOT get rid of it.This is something that you actually have to learn to live with and know your limits on what you can do.Your Dr. can also prescribe pain medication to help with the pain. The deteriation should not worsen was what I was told, but due to the lack of deteriation the Dr.'s can't do surgery. There is one major surgery that can be done. A steel rod can be placed in the spine. This is a long healing process. My cousin had it done, and she is good as ever, but went through allot of suffering.
I can tell you that I was diagnosed with disc degeneration at 19, i had a discectomoy on my L4-5(I had another surgery 9 months later on the same disc--I fell down a flight of stairs and reherniated it) but I can tell you that I haven't had surgery since. it has been 8 years, and no pain since right after the surgery!
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