Hi,
I’m new to this site but have read through it and it’s helped me get a better understanding of many things. I hope that I’ll be able to find some answers from people who have similar stories like mine here. I’m 23 years old and just found out that I have DDD. I’ve been extremely active my whole life. I raced motocross for years, ride downhill mountain bikes, play all sports, and just love to be active and enjoy life. I have had low back pain for quite awhile now and just thought it was from my activities and was completely normal. I am a personal trainer and have been for about 2 years. One day (just last week) while working out I lifted something for a client and had a killer pain in my lower back. After that my mom talked me into going to get an MRI. That’s when I found out I had DDD and 2 herniated disks and one bulging disk. My doc who took the MRI is actually a neighbor and a close family friend and he told me I was quite young to have these back problems. I’m confused with how serious this actually is and have a lot of questions. I go back to see him and to get a shot in my back in two days. But I thought I would post something here to see what kind of feedback I would receive?
What kind of treatment has helped people? How serious should I take this, do I stop doing the activities that I love so much? Will it just get worse and worse? Am I going to have to take pain med for the rest of my life?
Let me know if anyone has anything that might help me get some comfort or closure. I’ll take all the info and help I can get!
Thanks,
Nick
Hello, Thought I'd give you some feedback on your condition. First, Do you have any pain that travels down into your legs? If not, chances are the disk isn't pressing on major nerves. Herniated disks can heal (reabsorb)themselves with proper back education, therapy and conservative care. If you do decide to continue heavy lifting and/or other aggressive entertainment or sports, you will probably end up with further back issues, possibly more severe. Best of luck.
Location - Omaha, Nebraska
1996 - Moderate herniated L4-L5 lumbar disk, treated with med's and PT. ** Numerous occasions of back pain since.
Aug. 2007 - re-herniated disk and injured cervical neck disk from work injury. Had severe pain in lumbar region and left arm numbness. Had back PT twice before neck surgery.
Feb. 2008 - Had neck surgery w/plate and screw implant after injection failed to correct situation.
March 2008 - Anular tear in disk with fluid on nerves while recuperating from neck surgery, also mild stenosis. back to PT in June 2008 with med's.
*** Surgeon advised disk is still a good thickness so no surgery planned for the near future.
October 21, 2008 - 1st Lumbar epidural, attempting to lessen disk pain so tear can heal somewhat.
November 5, 2008 - 2nd Lumbar epidural,first one improved pain about 60%.
Update: 1/8/09, 2nd epidural shot resulted in same pain reduction, no more, no less, no more epidural's scheduled for now, continue to do home PT everyday and still working full time with low level pain.
Feb. 2009 - PC doctor concerned with limited movement capability, ordered PT consisting of 22 therapy sessions at a PT place using the DRX9000 decompression machine and hands-on physical spine manipulation exercises.
May 2009 - Therapy complete with range of motion improvement from 63% to 76%. Decompression stopped after 3X due to severe pain, Therapy continued with exercises.
June 2009 - PC appt., doctor recommended Chiropractor to attempt to loosen mid back muscles and stiffness causing pain with no contact to neck or lower back due to injuries.
*** Still on 1)200MG Celebrex a day and Tramadal as needed.