After a severe bout of back pain in Nov. 06, I was diagnosed with DDD at L3-4 through L5-S1 with diffuse bulging of the annulus fibrosis and osteophyte formation at each level. There is a small amount of disc protrusion into the left neural forman at L3-4 and slightly to the left of the midline at L4-5. The combined findings are causing a mild spinal stenosis.

Neural foraminal encroachment is enough to be potentially significant on the left at L3-4 and L4-5 and is the worst on the right at L4-5 and milder but still present at L3-4 and L5-S1. Some degenerative change in the apophyseal joints of mild severity is present as well, particularly at L3-4 bilaterally. In addition there is a mild chronic compression deformity of the T12 vertebral body but no fractures are seen.

I have gone through chiropratic care, some PT, and Nerve as well as Facet Joint Injections (last one on 12/20/07 at L3 level). Since initial diagnosis pain has changed considerably due to my own stubbornness to accept I can no longer do certain things. I still have a sharp knife like burning at T12/L1, stiffness in my lower back and a dull ache at times both midlevel and lower back..

What is new however is an increase in pain at the hips in front just under the belt line which like two hooks have been stuck in and are pulling backwards. And a very frequent popping in my lower back at more than one level. Sometimes its accompanied by pain. It happens when I am usually sitting and change positions or during bowel movements even when I am not straining to move. The popping feels similar to when you pull on your finger. I feel the pop not the pulling.

Anyone else experiencing the popping? Can it or did it lead to further problems or were you able to live with it to avoid surgery.