Hello all-
i'm new to the boards and have some questions. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I'll try and keep this short:

2 years ago, my hubby fell off a 2 story roof. We live in a beach community, so he actually feel the equivilant of 3 stories. He landed on his face & shoulders in the sand. He was air lifted to the trauma center in the next state. We were so fortunate that he walked out of the trauma center that night with no broken bones. The only diagnostic tests performed at the trauma center that night were x-rays. I asked them to do mri, cat scan, something, but was told they were just too busy. This is a long story, so i'll just leave it at that.


Anyway, my husband had never had any kind of back trouble before the fall. Since the fall, he has bouts of back problems. These problems have started happening more often, are longer in duration and are more and more painful with each flare up.


He has been through intensive physical therapy several times and has finally allowed our primary doctor to refer him for an mri. We got the unofficial "verbal" results by phone the other day. Diagnosis is as follows:

"central protrusion l-4 & l-5 with a smaller central protrusion at l-5"

if I am correct, this basically means herniated disc? I just don't know. I've done some research on the internet and have found some information, but really feel that I might get more information from someone who has dealt with this.


My husband will be going to an occupational therapist again. I also have him use my tens unit, but I really am desperate to find out as much information as possible. We need to know what we are dealing with and what we might expect as far as long term. I know different people experience pain and recovery differently, but any information will be much appreciated.


Thank you in advance for any help you can give. :)

lezlee