Ruptured Disc???

[TinkHappy]

My husband just received his results of his MRI...not good , he has a ruptured disc. He is in a lot of pain. Has anyone ever been through this before? I am not sure what to do for him.
Please help...Thank you!!

 

[VampHeartless]

Is your husband a pro-wrestler or something??? Really, wrestlers get this injury all the time. Basically, there's these discs between your spinal column full of jelly and stuff, that keep the bones from rubbing together. Well, with alot of pressure (like being thrown around a ring or hit with a steel chair), these discs can bulge or even rupture. Usually it's corrected with surgery, sometimes fusing a piece of hipbone between the spinal column to keep it from rubbing together and causing pain. It limits mobility some. There's a new procedure too, but I don't know anything about that one.

And that is what I know of ruptured discs...from my extensive pro wrestling knowledge...lol

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Chiropractors treat ruptured discs. I would try anything before surgery!

 

[Ella2]

I've herniated a disc before. In the majority of cases no surgery is needed, as the disc will develop scar tissue that will hold it in so it doesn't press on any nerves. Physical therapy is usually recommended.

I went through two years of PT with only minor improvements...and BIG setbacks...and finally had a spinal fusion. That was not a fun surgery but it was absolutely the best thing I've ever done. I am pain-free and my spine is much more stable.

OH, and as for a chiropractor, I had a HORRIBLE experience with one before I saw an orthopedist. He did NOT diagnosis the disc at all and all his various treatments made me much, MUCH worse. I know some people swear by chirporactors but I would never, ever let one treat me for disc herniation.

Good luck to your husband! It's not fun, but it can be dealt with and it most definitely CAN get better!

 

[AZKathy]

First of all, your PCP will probably get your DH to physical therapy and put him on some non-steroidal anti-inflammatories for a while. Sometimes, traction is ordered and the physical therapist should take care of ordering the required unit needed for your home. He possibly will be referred onto a Neurosurgeon to look at your DH and review his MRI. He will check out for pain running down the back of his legs, leg/foot numbness/ possible bowel or bladder involvement. If there is any bowel or bladder problems, call your doc immediately. He could eventually get referred to an anesthesiologist specializing in pain management and get epidural steriod injection right at the spot where it is herniated. This usually happens when physical therapy does not work. Plus, they can go further with other interventions such as discography and LASE.(laser of disc endoscopically)

I was told that the pain with this usually will resolve on it's own without any intervention within a year. Okay, that is bad for all of us who need to work and are in terrible pain, huh? But the good thing is that there is a high chance that he will not require surgery and that is GOOD!

I herniated two levels this past October and unfortunately I have not been able to return to work, yet. I have been unlucky without any good results. Had to MRI's one CAT scan, EMG study, and three epidural steroid injections. I am taking some heavy pain medications since the pain is terrible into my legs and in my back. The numbness in the feet are horrific! I also have a few other problems with my back like foraminal stenosis and degenerative disk disease. I wish you the best and please feel free to PM with any questions, but please please first rely on your physician!

Oh, one more IMPORTANT thing. ICE ICE ICE! Mix 1/4 mix rubbing alcohol with 3/4 water in a zip loc baggie. Double baggie this just in case of leaks, put it in freezer. This ice bag makes a great slushie ice bag that will conform and be comfortable on the lower back. NO HEAT! Ice will decrease the inflammation that occurs with the injury.

 

[Microcell]

I had a coworker that was plagued by one for a year and a half! She had cortizone shots and anti inflamitories.

 

[wendyl]

My husband went through this several years ago--in fact that's why he had to get out of the Infantry--and so he left the Army. It was INCREDIBLY painful for him--and they had to do surgery, because he was started to have signs of nerve damage.

The surgery went fine--and after a LONG period of recovery--he has been fine ever since (about 6 years now).

It was hard because he was in pain all the time--but eventually he got through it.

I hope he gets help soon!!! I'm sorry you are having to go through this!

 

[Snowwark]

I've had surgery for a herniated disc, 3x actually. Bits of the nucleus had attached itself to the siatic nerve, and could only be removed through surgery. Yes, the pain was awful, I could hardly walk, and had numbness right down to my toes.

After seeing a family doctor, then a nuerologist, and having many tests done, I finally saw the orthopedic/spinal surgeon. He felt it was an emergency, and was surprised I hadn't lost bowel/bladder control (TMI, I know!). He operated 4 days later. I only had to stay overnight for 1 night, and the difference in how I felt was amazing!!

Unfortunately, 6 months later, I had to have the surgery repeated. Scar tissue hadn't developed as well as it should have, and more of the nucleus had leaked out, and back onto the nerve. Surgery again, same great result.

Two years later, my orthopedic surgeon was VERY surprised to see me again!!! Exact same problem, surgery, good result, although the last surgery took a little longer to recover from. He told me it was unusual to have recurrences at the same spot, but not unheard of.

The last back surgery was in '97. I haven't had any problem since. Knocking on wood!!

Good luck to your DH!!

 

[Deb in IA]

You don't have to be a wrestler to get this. I am definitely not a wrestler, and I had a HUGE disc herniation 3 years ago.

Chiropractors may manipulate backs, but my disc was treated with ESI's (epidural steroid injections) by interventional radiologists, and finally, it was removed by an orthopedic surgeon. And like Snowwark, I am SOOO glad I had the surgery, because it was the ONLY thing that finally took away the pain for good.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

DB is in currently facing this problem. He had a partial laminectomy several years ago and now looks like another problem is rearing itself. I am glad to hear good results after surgery as it looks like fusion is the answer for him this time.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I thought you were a wrestler, Deb. Albeit a small one.

Just hoping he does well, TH. I have periodic back problems, sometimes unable to move, so have a bit of an idea of back pain (and I have a long back, LOL). My best.

 

[Disney-Kim]

TinkHappy....I have been there.
I started with Chiropractor, steroids, anti-inflammatories, but in the end I needed the cortizone shots to relieve the swelling and extreme pain.

Good Luck with everything.

Oh..ps...the shots healed me up pretty well but anytime I have a resurgence in the pain I take Vioxx (nsaisd). its great for inflammation. 7 days and like new. I do not take it every day just when I have pain.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I just wanted to add that I had extreme nerve pain, tingling, numbness, etc for about 6 months. Your husband may not be that bad yet.
The shots were my last resort before surgery to get the swelling down and off my sciatic nerve. So happy it helped. I live everyday carefully now and I still have leg cramps at night which my doc has said is due to nerve damage.

 

[Kitty 34]

I was diagnosed last November with one after having gone to the ER because I literally couldn't walk and was in more pain than I was when I broke my neck years ago!!!

Anyway after a month of physical therapy and some heavy duty pain killers and muscle relaxants that I took for about 2 months, I can say I feel a lot better (knock on wood!!). I do lots of exercises, too which I hope has been helping. They were exercises my PT gave me.

Good luck!

 

[Ilove8Trax]

In high school, my friend ruptured her disc. She played many sports, lots of volleyball. Had surgery in October i think and was playing volleyball by december and continued through college. She still has problems.

My advice: Tell your husband to take care of himself. Don't push it.

 

[Jeafl]

My L4/5 disc actually had a third of it break off. I have to say that it is the worst pain you can imagine, and I've had three children! I was actually less than 24 hours from spinal surgery when I decided to get a second opinion. The second neurologist gave me a Medrol dose pack, which is steroids. This helped the pain tremendously, and I have been able to postpone the surgery indefinitely.

I really feel for anybody with this pain. You can't sit, stand, lay, walk or even move. At least when you're in labor you have that time between contractions. With disc pain it's constant.

 

[TinkHappy]

Thank you everyone for all your great information and support!! DH had to have another MRI and they found arthritis in his back as well (it runs in the family). I feel so bad for him, I just don't know what to do for him. He is in so much pain.
BTW...He is not a wrestler, but he did play basketball his entire life. He played in college and continued playing until he hurt his back, actually, he was playing when his back went out . He said he was just walking up the court when he fell to his knees, saw stars and couldn't move. It took 3 guys to carry him off the court.

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by TinkHappy
Thank you everyone for all your great information and support!! DH had to have another MRI and they found arthritis in his back as well (it runs in the family). I feel so bad for him, I just don't know what to do for him. He is in so much pain.
BTW...He is not a wrestler, but he did play basketball his entire life. He played in college and continued playing until he hurt his back, actually, he was playing when his back went out . He said he was just walking up the court when he fell to his knees, saw stars and couldn't move. It took 3 guys to carry him off the court.

Remember the ICE! Good luck!