Herniated Disc Questions and Answers

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A: Hi Jen, I wish I had the chance to talk to you before that first fusion surgery, for that is most likely the cause of your ongoing pain and symptoms. Fusion is a poor choice for any back pain condition and can cause far more problems than it typically solves. I doubt the nerve blocks "went wrong", but I do doubt the diagnoses and treatments you have received. I hope you can find some measure of lasting relief. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: I injured my back at work Nov.16 and have been seeing a workman's comp doc. At first he diagnosed me with low back sprain after no impairment of patellar reflexes or diminished flexors. I insisted that was not the case due to the severe amount of pain I was and am experiencing. He reluctantly referred me to a surgeon, who reluctantly ordered an MRI. Turns out the radiologist diagnoses me with a ruptured l5-s1 and bulging l1-l2. However, this surgeon/specialist tells me on Dec. 19, I have a l4-l5 (never mentioned the bulging l1-l2) rupture and even though there is nerve impingement, the injury is not serious and I can continue normal activity as long as I can tolerate the pain. I currently have pretty bad sciatica, which worsens every day. And the pain in my back is close to unbearable. I am pretty familiar with phisiology and even I can tell it's my l5-s1 that's ruptured. I have examined the MRI myself. Is this guy a quack? I can't even lift my own body weight up, let alone resume normal activity. Is this injury trivial as this "specialist" suggests, or should I be careful in my activities to prevent compounding my problems? Thanks for your time! E

A: Hi E, I have a ruptured L5/S1 and a herniated L4/L5 and I am fine. Most disc abnormalities are not only nothing to be concerned about, but also typically not the source of ongoing pain. If you care to send a paraphrased copy of your MRI report, I will be happy to look at it, but otherwise, I would consider yourself blessed that this doctor did not convey a serious nocebo effect to you upon diagnosis. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: I had a car accident on 3/11/08. On 5/16/08 I felt a pain in my left hip while continuing to convalesce from my accident. After weeks of doctors, an MRI showed the disc between L3/L4 had a massive blowout. None of the doctors will even verbally associate the accident with my blown disc. They say that they can't tell if the accident caused the disc to blow without surgery to see first hand. Is there anyway to prove the herniation occurred directly from the accident? Lewis

A: Hi Lewis, Not really. It is possible, but if you are planning on trying to prove this in a court of law, your expert witness will be up against another expert witness who will do everything to disprove it. Afterall, the herniation may have existed before the accident or come about after and completely unrelated. Of course, it very well might have occurred during the accident as well. Sorry for the roundabout answer, but as a trial preparation insurance investigator myself, there is no concrete answer to the question. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: Hi Adam- I've been suffering from sciatica pain now for about 11 months. I recently had surgery to repair my L4-L5 herniated disc, in which the doctor said he removed about 3 times the amount of disc he would usually remove. I contracted an infection while in the hospital and had to have 2 additional surgeries to clean out the area. My leg pain started to decrease over time, and I eventually was pain free for at least a good month. But a couple of weeks ago, I started to feel more pain in my legs. This happened after my incision broke open and the doctor told me that I would be out of physical activity for about 5 weeks. I was not active, and suddenly I was in pain again. I was wondering if you thought that this might be the result of a psychosomatic event, and if you could give me any tips or ideas on how to deal with it. Thanks! -Troy

A: Hi Troy, The pain could be the result of several possibilities: First, the pain might not be caused by the herniated disc at all, in which case, the surgery was not needed, nor will it be effective in the long term. Second,(and related to #1), the pain is ischemic, which enjoyed a placebo reaction to the operation, but now is back. Reduced activity will always make ischemic pain far worse and physical activity will provide temporary relief. Last, the surgery was simply not enough to solve the painful complaint. This happens sometimes...

I am inclined to think the answer is #2...ischemia. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: Can you tell me what type of doctor I would need to see to diagnose a herniated disc. I'm sorry if this info is on your website but I have a hard time sitting at the computer for long periods of time. Thanks, Janie

A: Hi Janie, In order to accurately diagnose a herniated disc, you need an MRI, discogram or CT scan. X-rays will not do it. I recommend an orthopedic physician. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: Okay here's MY story, lol. I got into a car accident when I was 17. At that time I was told that a vertebrae in my neck was "twisted" to the side. I don't know what happened, but for some reason I did not go to physical therapy like I was ordered by the doctor, something about insurance. For about a year and a half I've been having extreme leg pain alternating legs on different nights, sometimes both legs in the same night. During the day I would start fine but around noon is when the leg pain would start. Then 5 months ago, my lower back goes out. Extreme pain in the lower back, mainly on the left side of my spine and the pain would shoot all the way down my left leg, even my butt hurt, lol. Well it took 3 weeks for my back to feel better. Since then my back has went out 3 more times, each taking 2-3 weeks to heal. Now in between those times that my back has went out, I do still have the leg pain at night and I do still have daily lower back pain, but it doesn't hurt that bad, I can tolerate it. The only time I have neck pain is when turning my head to far to the right. I've had x-rays on my lower back and neck just one month before my back went out the first time. The x-rays came back "normal", it didn't even show my "twisted" vertebrae in my neck. When I try to put my head down in front of me I can feel that pain in my lower back on the left side for that split second. So I have a couple of questions. Should I ask for another x-ray? I will be seeing a back specialist in about 2 weeks. What things other than an MRI should I asked or "demand" to be done? Also, my family doctor told me that I "can't" have a slipped disk b/c if I did then I would be in "extreme" pain 24/7. Is that true, or no? I am in pain 24/7, however the only time its extreme is when my back goes out. The fact that my back goes out so often is a big concern, on top of not being able to turn my neck without pain. I already have a high tolerance to pain (b/c I've been living with it since I was 17) so when I'm asked to measure my pain from 1-10, I never know what to really say. I have a bad habit of just "taking" what a doctor tells me without challenging it. So what questions can I ask that could give me the most information from the back specialist? Thank You so much for your time and reading my very long and very scattered question, lol. Jenna

A: Hi Jenna, Yes, I would request an MRI of the cervical and lumbar spinal regions. Your family doctor should go back to school, since most herniations are not painful. It is certainly possible to have a slipped disc without pain. I have 2 that I know of and maybe more that I do not... More ridiculous medical mythology at work here! Get the MRI done and let me know what the report says. I will be happy to give you targeted advice at this time, if you require it. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: Here's my story: Diagnosed at 16 with 2 lumbar herniated discs (L3-L4, L4-L5), DDD and lumbar spinal stenosis (just because -- no accidents). I had a laminectomy at 16 (I'm 28 now). A few occasional pain episodes, including sciatica on the right leg. Had a car accident and got (or it was the event that lead to discovering) 2 herniated discs again, so I had a 2nd laminectomy. I have still suffered pain after the last surgery 4 years ago, and have incurred in a type of nerve block that is done by inserting needles close to the nerve in the back and sending radio frequency waves to numb it.

How is your treatment proposal? Is it physiological or psychological? Were you able to completely get rid of your pain? Was your scenario like mine? Thanks, Carla

A: Hi Carla, I endorse appropriate treatment for each individual person, sometimes physical, more often psychological. I personally used knowledge therapy to cure my own pain, which was diagnosed as coming from DDD and herniated discs at L4/L5 and L5/S1. My story is well documented on all my sites. You might consider this treatment, since you have not found lasting relief from more traditional medical therapies. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: Hi, I just wanted to thank you for your advice regarding spinal decompression. I was scheduled for surgery and then I read your article about DRX9000. I canceled the procedure and went in DRX therapy. I have been pain free for about 3 months now and feel fantastic. Thank you, Duvi

A: Hi Duvi, You are very welcome. It is always best to avoid surgery, whenever possible and I wish you continuing good health in your future. Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: Can i give birth or do i need a c section with a herniated disk...I am 32 weeks pregnant and am basically bed ridden and can't even walk to the toilet. My osteopath has told me to bedrest but I am going out of my mind as I have been in bed for 6 weeks now and not getting any better...please help... Natalie

A: Hi Natalie, This is a very individualized question and is best handled by your physician who knows and understands the specifics of your situation. Personally, I do not see the problem with it for most women, but your doctor might know something about your exact injury that I am not aware of. I wish you the best, Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: I am suffering back pain, I went to doctor and got x-rays and scannings, they found that my right leg is shorter 38 millimeters than left leg. that is why the basin is not balanced. It causes pain in left leg and ultimately whole of the body, I do some exercises that I found on internet, It helps in decreasing the pain but still it did not finish. Is there any one that like to help me. Ahmad

A: Hi Ahmad, Is your leg anatomically shorter or functionally shorter? If the former, orthotic inserts in your shoes can help. If the latter, I doubt this to be the cause of your pain. I wish you well and please stay in touch to let me know how you are doing. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: I have had back/neck pain for about 1 yr and have gone through the "normal" routine...chiropractic care, physical therapy, muscle relaxers, pain meds, rest, etc. Nothing was working and in fact physical therapy made it worse! I finally demanded an MRI and lo and behold! A herniated disc on C5-C6. I have been waiting to get into the orthopedic surgeon to get his opinion on course of treatment, but in the meantime have had 1 epidural injection. It did not help AT ALL. I have been doing my own research, but finding information on neck herniated discs is hard. It seems to be mainly Lumbar information. Can anyone give me some information...I am afraid the orthopedic surgeon is going to want to do surgery at this point. If that is the case, what are some of your experiences with cervical surgery? Thanks! Keiva

A: Hi Keiva, I would not be surprised that you have a cervical herniation, for they are very common. They are also rarely the cause of ongoing neck pain, although they are often blamed for such. I virtually always recommend avoiding surgery, in all but the most dire of circumstances. I would recommend a combination of knowledge therapy and possibly spinal decompression. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki

Q: I have had 5 MRI's & have 8 herniated discs, 2 in neck, 4 in thoracic, and 2 lower back. I am in pain all the time. Have had 5 months of physical therapy over the last year, after having a total hip replacement a year ago. Is this normal for a 60 year old to have 8 herniated discs, and does it mean surgery? Lynda

A: Hi Lynda, No, 8 herniated discs is atypical in the extreme. However, without looking at your mri results, it is difficult to comment on the prognosis or whether surgery is indicated. If you can send me the reports I will let you know what I think. Thanks, Sensei Adam Rostocki