Conditions and Diseases
> Back Pain Forum
> L4-5 DDD diagnosis
TOPICS
DOCTOR QUESTIONS
What structures make up the spine? We review basic spine anatomy here...before identifying potential causes of back pain....
Click here to learn about the most common causes of back pain, and things that increase your risk of backache. We cover lower back pain and upper back pain....
Back pain symptoms may seem obvious. But do you know when symptoms of back pain are more serious or when to see a doctor? Learn what action to take & when...
Q: L4-5 DDD diagnosis
asked by:
Mel11
New User
Hello everyone
Years ago I have been diagnosed with DDD at C3-4. It was not bad, once every couple of years I get sever pain in my neck for about a week. This pain is really bad, you wish you can cut your head off and it is not relieved by sitting or laying down.
I was also diagnosed with DDD at L3-4 and L4-5, actually nothing is left of L4-5.
The advise I was given is put up with the pain for as long as you can, and for years I learned to cope. I used voltaren, the neck pain comes only every few years.
However, my lower back pain is getting worse and I need to do something.
I have several orthos, pain management clinic, therapists.
Actually, the ortho can not really diagnose were the pain is coming from ?
Reading posts here I get the impression that lower back pain sufferers, in most cases, complain about pain or numbness in legs,feet, thighs.
In my case I get the pain only when I stand or walk for three minutes and the pain is in lower back, not in legs, or thighs or hips. The pain always relieved when I sit down. There is continuous very slight numbness at the upper skin surface of my left thigh ( continuous meaning, all the time while rested ).
MRI's, CT Scans, discograms could not diagnose the source of pain.
By the way, the reason I had to put up with pain, at 45 I had AVN and had to have THR - total hip replacement. Now I need to take care of my lower back and neck. Questions:
1- Has any one complained from pain in lower back only (no lower extremities issues)
2- Would it be wise to do L3/4 L4/5 and C
3/4 in one procedure.
3- How can laser cut stenosis or bone to create room for nerve roots and relieve pressure.
4- Who is best to see LSI, Bonati, Tolli ( is he Thomas C Tolli from Lakeside Ortho in St Petersburg ? )
Thanks
Mel
Greenville, SC
Years ago I have been diagnosed with DDD at C3-4. It was not bad, once every couple of years I get sever pain in my neck for about a week. This pain is really bad, you wish you can cut your head off and it is not relieved by sitting or laying down.
I was also diagnosed with DDD at L3-4 and L4-5, actually nothing is left of L4-5.
The advise I was given is put up with the pain for as long as you can, and for years I learned to cope. I used voltaren, the neck pain comes only every few years.
However, my lower back pain is getting worse and I need to do something.
I have several orthos, pain management clinic, therapists.
Actually, the ortho can not really diagnose were the pain is coming from ?
Reading posts here I get the impression that lower back pain sufferers, in most cases, complain about pain or numbness in legs,feet, thighs.
In my case I get the pain only when I stand or walk for three minutes and the pain is in lower back, not in legs, or thighs or hips. The pain always relieved when I sit down. There is continuous very slight numbness at the upper skin surface of my left thigh ( continuous meaning, all the time while rested ).
MRI's, CT Scans, discograms could not diagnose the source of pain.
By the way, the reason I had to put up with pain, at 45 I had AVN and had to have THR - total hip replacement. Now I need to take care of my lower back and neck. Questions:
1- Has any one complained from pain in lower back only (no lower extremities issues)
2- Would it be wise to do L3/4 L4/5 and C
3/4 in one procedure.
3- How can laser cut stenosis or bone to create room for nerve roots and relieve pressure.
4- Who is best to see LSI, Bonati, Tolli ( is he Thomas C Tolli from Lakeside Ortho in St Petersburg ? )
Thanks
Mel
Greenville, SC
|
