Back Pain Forum - Degenerative Disc Disease

I've had a sore/stiff back for the past year or so. I went to a doctor in september 2008, after lifting a heaving object in the wrong way my back locked up for a day and any movement was difficult. The doctor took xrays and concluded I have degenerative disc disease (DDD)in my lower back (I think discs 4 and 5). He suggested i can get an MRI as well, however, he had DDD as well and the xrays were pretty conclusive. The doctor prescribed and I went to physical therapy for a while and have been working on my core muscles since then. I take hot baths, ice my back and go for walks regularly. Throughout the day the pain is almost non existant. My only problem is, i can not sleep on my back, it get's very sore and stiff, i have to sleep on my side. Also, if i sleep on my side, i get some soreness on my lower left side of my back??? Is this just a part of the recovery or should i look further into this? any help would be appreciated.

Replies(6)

littleonefb

replied on February 8th, 2009

Extremely eHealthy

What type of doctor did you see?

Did you see a spine specialist?

X-rays are very good at picking up on DDD, bone spurs but it doesn't show the actual condition of the discs, whether there is nerve compression from the disc and many other things.

It might be a good idea to have an evaluation with a spine surgeon, if you already haven't and you might get that MRI and see if anything else is going on.

Fran

edvos

replied on February 9th, 2009

New User

The doctor was a orthapedic surgeon and a back specialist at a sports medicine office, known as one of the better ones in southern california.

The next step may be to go for that MRI.

littleonefb

replied on February 9th, 2009

Extremely eHealthy

Sounds like you are with right kind of doctor. I use an orthopedic surgeon who is a sports medicine spine specialist myself.

I would get that MRI, just be sure there isn't anything else going on that could be causing the pain you are having.

If the MRI shows nothing, you might want to ask about epidural steroid injections or nerve blocks to see if that will help.

Good luck

Fran

edvos

replied on February 9th, 2009

New User

I will be going in for the MRI, thanks. Also, i came across this thread from earlier, it is exactly the problem i'm having sleeping at night and really, my only problem with pain.

If anyone has any new thoughts on it, it would be appreciated.

http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic81693. html

littleonefb

replied on February 10th, 2009

Extremely eHealthy

I checked the link you posted in your last response, and my thoughts are these.

There could be many reasons for the problems, including poor posture during the day and then when lying down in bed, the muscles are pulled. After several hours, pain begins.

Whenever there is back pain that continues without an explanation, it should be evaluated by a spine specialist.

Many times, simple things like learning good posture, and core muscle strengthening will correct a problem.

Without evaluation from a spine specialist, there is no way of knowing what is and isn't going on.

Fran

edvos

replied on February 16th, 2009

New User

thank you Fran, appreciate your thougths.

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