L4 & L5 disc herniation

PCR · 10-08-2015, 06:30 PM

So, I have herniated the disc between L4 & L5 and aggravated my SI joint.
My questions: anyone here have this happen to them? If so, what was your treatment? I'll see my physical therapist in a week (busy place) but in the mean time I'm looking to you all here for direction. Thanks all!

Chainsaw13 · 10-08-2015, 06:39 PM

Been there, done that, got the tshirt too.

I've dealt with herniations at L3-6 on and off for years. One episode was so bad, I had one at each location, going in opposite directions. Thought that one would require surgery. I barely was able to lie flat enough in the MRI.

Six plus weeks of physical therapy got me to about 75-80%. I then worked on my own for another couple months to get as near 100% as I'll ever be.

Stretching the neck muscles multiple times a day helps. While sitting, bend your head to the side, like you're trying to touch your ear to your shoulder. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat for other side. Do 3x per side. Also do a similar same stretch, but this time your head turned 45 deg, with your chin down to your chest. Again hold for 30 seconds and repeat each side, 3x.

Get on a ibuprofen regime too. Keep it up. Eventually the muscles will loosen up.

Chainsaw13 · 10-08-2015, 06:41 PM

Forgot to add, as you do the stretches and you feel you can go extra, place your palm on the top of your head. Don't pull, just let the extra weight add that little extra to the stretch.

longknocker · 10-08-2015, 07:10 PM

Had A L4-5 Disc Rupture & L 3-4 Bulge. Had 2 Epidural Steroid Blocks, Lost Some Weight (30#) & Walked A Lot. Never Needed Surgery & My Back Is Fine Most Of The Time After 5 Years. If You Get A "Foot Drop" Or Weakness, Numbness, Tingling In Your Legs & Feet, You'll Need Surgery Right Away. If It's "Just" Back Pain, It Will Get Better Over Time. Hope You Feel Better. Back Pain Is Real!!!

joatmon · 10-08-2015, 08:16 PM

Had an L5-S1 herniation in October 2013. It was so bad I could barely walk. Went to the doctor and got a cortisone shot and referred to a specialist. Cortisone shot helped a lot with pain, but still had lots of numbness down my left leg, particularly in my foot and toes. Specialist recommend surgery as soon as possible. I said no thanks. Decided to try acupuncture first at my mom's insistence. Sounded like malarkey to me, but decided to give it a whirl. After my first session almost all the numbness in my foot was gone. After second session, no numbness. Did a third session for good measure. I was back to 100%. For a year. Herniated it again October 2014. Tried acupuncture again. Nothing this time. I guess this is somewhat common. After a second herniation, recovery takes longer. Ended up doing physical therapy. That got me fixed up after several weeks. I still do my stretches everyday and go to the gym often to keep my core stong and tight. Fingers crossed that I don't go and mess it up again somehow this October.

PCR · 10-08-2015, 09:24 PM

Thanks guys! I'm a runner/cyclist/golfer/lifter gym rat. This has knocked me down a few rungs but I'm not giving up. Sure appreciate the advice... I'll take all the advice and go strong at it. Wish me luck, you all stay healthy!

10-08-2015, 06:30 PM	#1
PCR Maduro! Maduro? Maduro. Join Date: Aug 2010 First Name: Paul Location: NW Washington State Posts: 429 Trading: (6)	L4 & L5 disc herniation So, I have herniated the disc between L4 & L5 and aggravated my SI joint. My questions: anyone here have this happen to them? If so, what was your treatment? I'll see my physical therapist in a week (busy place) but in the mean time I'm looking to you all here for direction. Thanks all! __________________ "I smoke cigars when I win, to celebrate ... and I smoke cigars when I lose to console myself." -Winston Churchill

10-08-2015, 06:39 PM	#2
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,177 Trading: (96)	Re: L4 & L5 disc herniation Been there, done that, got the tshirt too. I've dealt with herniations at L3-6 on and off for years. One episode was so bad, I had one at each location, going in opposite directions. Thought that one would require surgery. I barely was able to lie flat enough in the MRI. Six plus weeks of physical therapy got me to about 75-80%. I then worked on my own for another couple months to get as near 100% as I'll ever be. Stretching the neck muscles multiple times a day helps. While sitting, bend your head to the side, like you're trying to touch your ear to your shoulder. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat for other side. Do 3x per side. Also do a similar same stretch, but this time your head turned 45 deg, with your chin down to your chest. Again hold for 30 seconds and repeat each side, 3x. Get on a ibuprofen regime too. Keep it up. Eventually the muscles will loosen up. __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

10-08-2015, 06:41 PM	#3
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,177 Trading: (96)	Re: L4 & L5 disc herniation Forgot to add, as you do the stretches and you feel you can go extra, place your palm on the top of your head. Don't pull, just let the extra weight add that little extra to the stretch. __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

10-08-2015, 07:10 PM	#4
longknocker Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 11,162 Trading: (82)	Re: L4 & L5 disc herniation Had A L4-5 Disc Rupture & L 3-4 Bulge. Had 2 Epidural Steroid Blocks, Lost Some Weight (30#) & Walked A Lot. Never Needed Surgery & My Back Is Fine Most Of The Time After 5 Years. If You Get A "Foot Drop" Or Weakness, Numbness, Tingling In Your Legs & Feet, You'll Need Surgery Right Away. If It's "Just" Back Pain, It Will Get Better Over Time. Hope You Feel Better. Back Pain Is Real!!!

10-08-2015, 08:16 PM	#5
joatmon Still Watching My Back Join Date: Mar 2015 First Name: Lucas Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 68 Trading: (2)	Re: L4 & L5 disc herniation Had an L5-S1 herniation in October 2013. It was so bad I could barely walk. Went to the doctor and got a cortisone shot and referred to a specialist. Cortisone shot helped a lot with pain, but still had lots of numbness down my left leg, particularly in my foot and toes. Specialist recommend surgery as soon as possible. I said no thanks. Decided to try acupuncture first at my mom's insistence. Sounded like malarkey to me, but decided to give it a whirl. After my first session almost all the numbness in my foot was gone. After second session, no numbness. Did a third session for good measure. I was back to 100%. For a year. Herniated it again October 2014. Tried acupuncture again. Nothing this time. I guess this is somewhat common. After a second herniation, recovery takes longer. Ended up doing physical therapy. That got me fixed up after several weeks. I still do my stretches everyday and go to the gym often to keep my core stong and tight. Fingers crossed that I don't go and mess it up again somehow this October. __________________ "Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones."

10-08-2015, 09:24 PM	#6
PCR Maduro! Maduro? Maduro. Join Date: Aug 2010 First Name: Paul Location: NW Washington State Posts: 429 Trading: (6)	Re: L4 & L5 disc herniation Thanks guys! I'm a runner/cyclist/golfer/lifter gym rat. This has knocked me down a few rungs but I'm not giving up. Sure appreciate the advice... I'll take all the advice and go strong at it. Wish me luck, you all stay healthy! __________________ "I smoke cigars when I win, to celebrate ... and I smoke cigars when I lose to console myself." -Winston Churchill