hello and welcome to my world of L5/s1 disc problem..i have prolapsed disc and the pain so bad im medicated by morphine transdermal patches..
im awaiting news of pending surgery now 3 yrs on as had second prolapse on this disc last year..
the prognosis depends on the individual as i have very little mobility and have never had since happened in 2006..maybe physiotherapy would be of help to you as you mention that you had an active lifestyle..
what are your actual symptoms?

i have pain radiating down both legs into big toe, pins and needles and now joint stiffness and the most important thing i do is keep moving..my buttocks and legs constantly ache even with morphine it only takes edge off..

have they suggested any treatment for you?

i sympathise i really do this is pain from hell and glad your on inflammatories..i was refused surgery in 2007 and told longterm had second prolapse 2008 and been told this year surgery..

There are very effective treatments in 'Ayurveda' therapies with safe herbal drugs with massage other therapies which may take 14-21 days.I personally know that these are effective and not so costly.
Pain in leg may be due to the compressed sciatic nerve. Arthritis may be observed.Herbal Enema is also very effective

pain killers are only temporary remedy, when you stop these, it comes again!

Treatment with herbal supplements has not be shown to be effective in true scientific studies and herbal enemas are not going to do anything but create havoc in your body and throw off your electrolyte balance at the very least.

Have you been diagnosed by a spine surgeon that can read an MRI or are you saying you have been diagnosed based on the MRI reading by a radiologist?

There is a huge difference. The MRI reading is just that, but it may or may not be what is causing your spine pain.

An MRI is just one of the many tools used by a good spine surgeon to diagnose a patient. The spine surgeon uses the MRI pics as a guide to see if your symptoms match what he/she sees in the MRI pics.

If you haven't been fully evaluated by a spine surgeon, then that is what you need to do. You need to see either an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in spines or a neurosurgeon that specializes in spines only.

Once you have had that evaluation and been diagnosed a course of treatment will be suggested.

It usually starts with the most conservative treatments to obtain pain relief.

You make no mention of any disc bulges or anything like that.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Fran

With due respect let me disagree with you littleonefb!

I think you have't heard about ayurveda herbal remedies and its 'Panchakarma' and 'Purva karma'therapies. It is very common in India to refer a patient like Mr.Vijay to Ayurveda therapies by ortho.specialists those who know ayurveda, when Allopathic/ modern treatments fails, in many cases,especilly connected with arthritis spinal/ disc complaints etc. In cases where surgery is normally prescribed for disc prolapse etc.,there is effective therapy in ayurveda that is not much expensive.I mean 'Vasti'of Pancha karma in ayurveda when I mentioned herbal enema. All these should be done under medical supervision of qualified Ayurveda practitioner.


I think Mr. Vijay, if he is an indian,may be well aware of all these things. there is a chance for MR.vijay to hav radiating pain through legs concentrating sciatic nerve. In such cases pain may further be aggravate and numpness may appear.I think you already hav an MRI,as you stated the L5 and S1.I never suggest pain killers instead of proper treatment.

I hav personal experience and training in Ayurveda therapies so I requet littleone to understand ayurveda before making comments.We here in kerala treat and cure sciatic complaints at the cost of an MRI scan. to poor peoples,with herbal decotions and therapies.I think Herbal oil Massage and 'Kizhi' treatments are also may be effective to mr. Vijay.