Prolapsed Disc or not?

[Thomas S]

The story so far.

About two years ago I did something to my back whilst lifting a very heavy object. The result was mild to moderate pain in the lower left hand side of my back. This was accomponied by a feeling on numbness in my left buttock, (felt a little bit like a dead leg) and mild pins and needles in my left foot, particularly in the toes.

The pain in my back was made worse by standing still or sitting still. It also hurt when I bent forwards. After a few weeks the pain more or less went away but I was left with mild pins and needles in my left foot and occasionally my back would start aching for a few weeks and then clear up.

The pain was never bad enough to incapacitateme and I was able to carry on more or less as normal. I did not bother my doctor with it.

Three weeks ago I set it off again by lifting something heavy. The pain came back and the pins and needles in my left foot became slightly worse.

Reading on various websites it sounds like a prolapsed disc, however having read other peoples experiences I don't seem to be suffering the crippling pain that others have experienced. I sleep okay and the pain feels a bit better in the morning, albeit I feel a bit stiff in the back.Moving around doesn't seem to make it worse.

I have been to the doctor who prescribed co-codamol painkillers. They take most of the pain away for a few hours. I saw a Physio today who thinks it is a muscle sapsm becasue the muscles in my back are tight particulary on the left? She could not explain the pins and needles. Without being disrespectful I noticed from her name badge that she is a student. She kept going off to speak with her supervisor.

I have been given some exercise to do over the next week to loosen the muscles. Another appointment next Thursday.

Does anyone have any similar experiences to me regarding either a prolapsed disc or muscle spasm. Or can any one shed any light.

 

[casi]

Hello Matt,

From what you describe, you are having problems with your sciatic nerves. The lifting heavy that you do, should not be done anymore as it will continue to damage your lower back area. The high pressure that you are causing to your lower back vertabraes and discs, could become damages permanetly.I suggest that youstop your heavy lifting.

For a treatment for this type of problem, your are going to do what I call the EGG PLASTER Treatment as follow:
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Takeonly the egg white of an egg and beat it up with a fork until bubbles;[/align][*]
Takethis egg whiteand spread it on a face cloth;[/align][*]
Put the face clothwith the egg white on andfacing the area of your pain;[/align][*]
Apply a clear plastic covering larger over it such as Saran Wrap food covering;[/align][*]
Tape it all around and keep over night and put on PJs or underpants to keep the plaster on;[/align][*]
Remove in the morning and wash;[/align][*]
You can do this every night for up to one week, than[/align][*]
Start with this exercise which is attached 4 times a day and as many as you can do per time.[/align][/ol]
If you can, have one tothree massage therapiesfor your lower back areas for the first week and once a week for one month.

Good Luck

 

[red top]

It sounds like a degree of nerve irritation, hence the pins and needles (without seeing you though it's hard to determine if it is true sciatic nerve irritation), but your physio is probably right and the muscle spasm may indeed be the cause rather than a true prolapse- think of the tight, hyperactive muscles irritating the nerves. With back pain things can settle down then flare up years later, it doesn't actually mean there is more damage.

If you're concerned that your physio is not getting it totally right then do ask her if you can see her supervisor to confirm- I'm a student physio myself and I really wouldn't mind if somebody asked to speak to my supervisor

All the best!

 

[polypobw]

May not be relevant for original poster, but in case anyone else reading this
seeking advice -

Sounds like a prolapse. I had nearly identical symptoms and was diagnosed via MRI with an L5-S1 prolapse and L4-L5 bulging disc. Other symptoms my Dr used to diagnose were 1) back/leg pain during coughing and bowel movements, and 2) back/leg pain during straight leg raise from a lying flat position. The symptoms I did not have but that indicate emergency care (as in operation that day) are 1) incontinence (weak bladder) or constipation including lack of sensation around the anus, or 2) inability to flex the foot upwards, aka "foot drop"

** If you have symptoms like these, you should seek immediate medical attention from a neurologist **

 

[J.A.]

I have to agree with Jeffth. I also had very similar symptoms.
There was only moderate pain in the begining, nothing that could stop you from going to work, but as soon as you try to bend forward with stright legs it was getting much worse. I though that it has something to do with lower back muscels. After couple of weeksin such conditionone morning the pain in my right buttok and joint area was became so bad that I was not able to stand. After MRI it turned out to be prlaplsed L5/S1 disk.

 

[SELENA1904]

What is the difference (if any) between a prolapsed, bulging and herniated disc?