Any one know about slipped discs.?!
Question: Any one know about slipped discs!.!?
I have 3 slipped discs from a car accident in July!. My mobility and pain was so bad at one point I was in the hospital for 3 days cause I couldn't take care of my self!. I have been in physio for the last 1!.5 months with no progress, I have been religiously following my physiotherapists recommendations!. I have been on a cocktail of morphine and muscle relaxants and hate the feeling of the drugs!. I am 25 have a 1 year old at home # 2 on the way, and have been off work since August 1st!. I just want some recommendations on whats next ( I have tried the chiropractor)!. I see my doctor next week, and I would like to avoid surgery if i can!. Any help appreciated!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Try to see if the doctor can give you another painkiller just strong in
the same class if its making u sick!. I can relate with one hundred percent!. I have been pretty much every pain pill there is , the one I am taking is working !.I have some tips after all these tips you want to then start exercising but the main thing right now is to actually take some time off work to let your back heal!. You will still get paid if you get a doctors note from disability , that way you can rest your back and still help with your wife
I going through this as well I am 25 too!. Okay few tips because I have been at this for a couple of years!. Try to get time off so you can actually let you back heal on its on!. 2 Try laying down on an ice pack or heating pack!. 3 This is non surgical but what it is an actual machine that you lay into and hit will start pulling your hips down to have those discs back in its place!. 4 Chirpractor also has been helping me with the pain to do go down!.5 This is not surgery but its something you may want to look into epidural injections !. basically a doctor will inject a combination of steriods and antiinflamtion in your back so the swelling goes down that why you don't have to take so many pain medication!. It doesn't hurt , well for me the first one did the rest felt like a shot , but beware the doctor will but you to sleep or do a twilight meaning your up but you are pretty drugged up and it lasts for like 5 minutes really quick procedure , but look into it first because the medication in your back , will start make you crave for surger!. 6 Try using the least amount and least strongest painpill and the reason why I say that first of you don't want to become addicted another thing is that you don't want to be medicated and you fall down making you hurt your back even worse then waking up the next day sore as ever!.
7 last of all did the doctor say you need any surgery, yeah not good I heard and seen too many horror stories!. If you have questions reach me
Sorry for the long speach but I am going through it too!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
A reputable massage therapist (neuromuscular) will help!. Also, keep on following your pt's recommendations and get plenty of balanced exercise and walking!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Herniated Disc - Topic Overview
What is a herniated disc!?
The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small, spongy discs!. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible!. But when a disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open!. This is called a herniated disc!. It may also be called a slipped or ruptured disc!.
See a picture of a herniated disc!.
You can have a herniated disc in any part of your spine!. But most herniated discs affect the lower back (lumbar spine)!. Some happen in the neck (cervical spine) and, more rarely, in the upper back (thoracic spine)!. This topic focuses mainly on the lower back!.
What causes a herniated disc!?
A herniated disc may be caused by:
* Wear and tear of the disc!. As you age, your discs dry out and aren't as flexible!.
* Injury to the spine!. This may cause tiny tears or cracks in the hard outer layer of the disc!. When this happens, the gel inside the disc can be forced out through the tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc!. This causes the disc to bulge, break open, or break into pieces!.
What are the symptoms!?
When a herniated disc presses on nerve roots, it can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the area of the body where the nerve travels!. A herniated disc in the lower back can cause pain and numbness in the buttock and down the leg!. This is called sciatica (say "sy-AT-ih-kuh")!. Sciatica is the most common symptom of a herniated disc in the low back!.
If a herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, you may have a backache or no pain at all!.
If you have weakness or numbness in both legs, along with loss of bladder or bowel control, seek medical care right away!. This could be a sign of a rare but serious problem called cauda equina syndrome!.
How is a herniated disc diagnosed!?
Your doctor may diagnose a herniated disc by asking questions about your symptoms and examining you!. If your symptoms clearly point to a herniated disc, you may not need tests!.
Sometimes a doctor will do tests such as an MRI or a CT scan to confirm a herniated disc or rule out other health problems!.
How is it treated!?
Symptoms from a herniated disc usually get better in a few weeks or months!. To help you recover:
* Rest if you have severe pain!. Otherwise, stay active!. Walking and other light activity may help!.
* Use ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 times a day!. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin!. Heat relieves pain for some people, but you should wait 2 or 3 days after an injury to use it!.
* Do the exercises that your doctor or physical therapist suggests!. These will help keep your back muscles strong and prevent another injury!.
* Ask your doctor about medicine to treat your symptoms!. Medicine won't cure a herniated disc, but it may help with pain and swelling!.
Call911or other emergency services immediately if:
* A fall from a height (such as off a stool or ladder) or significant injury (such as a motor vehicle accident) has caused numbness or weakness in one or both legs!. A person who has a severe back injury should not be moved until emergency medical assistance arrives!.
* Low back pain is accompanied by an inability to move the arms or legs (paralysis), confusion, or shock!.
Call your health professional immediately if:
* A ground-level fall or moderate injury (twisting the back, lifting a heavy object) has caused numbness or weakness in one or both legs!.
* You have a loss of bowel or bladder control!.
Call your health professional if:
* Leg pain is accompanied by persistent weakness, tingling, or numbness in any part of the leg from the buttock to the ankle or foot!.
* New low back pain is accompanied by vomiting and/or fever [101F or higher] that lasts longer than 48 hours!.
* Leg pain or intermittent weakness, tingling, or numbness persists longer than 1 week despite home treatment!.
* You have back pain that either persists or builds in intensity over a few weeks!.
* A back injury is work-related and symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days!.
* Back pain is accompanied by pain during urination or blood in the urine!.
* You have back pain that is worse when you are resting than when you are active!.
Watchful Waiting
If you have pain, numbness, or tingling in one leg that gets worse with sitting, standing, or walking (without any obvious leg weakness):
* You may try a brief period of bed rest-usually no more than 1 to 2 days-then gradually begin activities if the pain is manageable!.
* Take short walks!.
* Avoid movements and positions that increase pain or numbness!.
* Call your health professional if:
o Your leg pain does not improve!.
o Nerve-related symptoms-such as tingling or numbness in your leg, or weakness in both legs and loss of bladder or bowel control-get worse during or after a short period of bed rest!.
o You have weakness in both legs and loss oWww@Answer-Health@Com
What is a herniated disc!?
The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small, spongy discs!. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible!. But when a disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open!. This is called a herniated disc!. It may also be called a slipped or ruptured disc!.
See a picture of a herniated disc!.
You can have a herniated disc in any part of your spine!. But most herniated discs affect the lower back (lumbar spine)!. Some happen in the neck (cervical spine) and, more rarely, in the upper back (thoracic spine)!. This topic focuses mainly on the lower back!.
What causes a herniated disc!?
A herniated disc may be caused by:
* Wear and tear of the disc!. As you age, your discs dry out and aren't as flexible!.
* Injury to the spine!. This may cause tiny tears or cracks in the hard outer layer of the disc!. When this happens, the gel inside the disc can be forced out through the tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc!. This causes the disc to bulge, break open, or break into pieces!.
What are the symptoms!?
When a herniated disc presses on nerve roots, it can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the area of the body where the nerve travels!. A herniated disc in the lower back can cause pain and numbness in the buttock and down the leg!. This is called sciatica (say "sy-AT-ih-kuh")!. Sciatica is the most common symptom of a herniated disc in the low back!.
If a herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, you may have a backache or no pain at all!.
If you have weakness or numbness in both legs, along with loss of bladder or bowel control, seek medical care right away!. This could be a sign of a rare but serious problem called cauda equina syndrome!.
How is a herniated disc diagnosed!?
Your doctor may diagnose a herniated disc by asking questions about your symptoms and examining you!. If your symptoms clearly point to a herniated disc, you may not need tests!.
Sometimes a doctor will do tests such as an MRI or a CT scan to confirm a herniated disc or rule out other health problems!.
How is it treated!?
Symptoms from a herniated disc usually get better in a few weeks or months!. To help you recover:
* Rest if you have severe pain!. Otherwise, stay active!. Walking and other light activity may help!.
* Use ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 times a day!. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin!. Heat relieves pain for some people, but you should wait 2 or 3 days after an injury to use it!.
* Do the exercises that your doctor or physical therapist suggests!. These will help keep your back muscles strong and prevent another injury!.
* Ask your doctor about medicine to treat your symptoms!. Medicine won't cure a herniated disc, but it may help with pain and swelling!.
Call911or other emergency services immediately if:
* A fall from a height (such as off a stool or ladder) or significant injury (such as a motor vehicle accident) has caused numbness or weakness in one or both legs!. A person who has a severe back injury should not be moved until emergency medical assistance arrives!.
* Low back pain is accompanied by an inability to move the arms or legs (paralysis), confusion, or shock!.
Call your health professional immediately if:
* A ground-level fall or moderate injury (twisting the back, lifting a heavy object) has caused numbness or weakness in one or both legs!.
* You have a loss of bowel or bladder control!.
Call your health professional if:
* Leg pain is accompanied by persistent weakness, tingling, or numbness in any part of the leg from the buttock to the ankle or foot!.
* New low back pain is accompanied by vomiting and/or fever [101F or higher] that lasts longer than 48 hours!.
* Leg pain or intermittent weakness, tingling, or numbness persists longer than 1 week despite home treatment!.
* You have back pain that either persists or builds in intensity over a few weeks!.
* A back injury is work-related and symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days!.
* Back pain is accompanied by pain during urination or blood in the urine!.
* You have back pain that is worse when you are resting than when you are active!.
Watchful Waiting
If you have pain, numbness, or tingling in one leg that gets worse with sitting, standing, or walking (without any obvious leg weakness):
* You may try a brief period of bed rest-usually no more than 1 to 2 days-then gradually begin activities if the pain is manageable!.
* Take short walks!.
* Avoid movements and positions that increase pain or numbness!.
* Call your health professional if:
o Your leg pain does not improve!.
o Nerve-related symptoms-such as tingling or numbness in your leg, or weakness in both legs and loss of bladder or bowel control-get worse during or after a short period of bed rest!.
o You have weakness in both legs and loss oWww@Answer-Health@Com