Is there a diff b/t a "disc bulge" and a "herniated disc?"

[MichaelD]

Well, after many years of pain, and the past 4 months of pretty damn bad pain, I finally found out what I had feared; I have a "disc bulge" at L4/L5. Confirmed via an MRI.

"L4/L5"...that's b/t the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae, JIC you didn't know. They are the bottom two vertebrae, right above your sacrum. <---often called "the tailbone" but that's incorrect. Disc bulges to the left, exerting pressure on whatever nerve runs thru the hip, left buttock and left hamstring, creating stiffness and throbbing pain some of the time, and a shooting pain about twice a week. Nice. :|

The news was delivered to me by my Chiropractor, over the phone. Surgery is not an option at this time; I can live with the pain awhile longer. I'm not ready to play Russian Roulette w/the functioning of the left side of my body.

<---that's what back or neck surgery is: Russian Roulette.

So, I got to thinking. I've heard of a "disc bulge" and a "herniated disc." I'm thinking they are one in the same. Are they? Too tired to go searching for the answer; figured maybe someone here knows. Thanks.

 

[bacillus]

the two are different.
with the bulge, the integrity of the disc wall is intact though weakened/stretched.
sorry to hear of your problem nevertheless!

 

[diskop]

Ouch ouch ouch. How is this gonna get fixed?

 

[todpod]

I've had neck surgery twice now, had my third MRI monday. I thought the surgery itself was a piece of cake. I screwed up after the first surgery and went back to manuel labor, bad move.

Now I do think back surgery is worse, my roommate at the hospital was there several days while I was there only over night. I do know it was his back not sure sure of which disc.

Something you might look into is cortizone injections, or more exactly epiderual(sp) right to the area. They didn't work for me but are more effective on people who never had surgery.

good luck to you todd

 

[eplebnista]

Disc FAQ

 

[IGBT]

I recall something called papaya enzyme injections that helped someone I know. Are they still doing that?

 

[ScottMac]

The nerve is the Sciatic ("sy-attic") nerve, the heat/pain down your leg is "Sciatica."

It can go away by itself if you take it light for a six months to a year. If the disk is just bulging (not ruptured), that's about the only treatment option you have (coupled with Physical Therapy).

I've had two double ruptured disks (and subsequent surgical repairs) @ L4-L5 & L5-S1. The surgical burn was nowhere as painful as the condition, and I was a happy guy after the surgerys.

Last ~February, I managed to re-bulge, to a minor degree, L4-L5, L5-S1, and I have a new bulge at L3-L4 that is compressing the spinal cord (was ~60-80%compression - "Stenosis"). It's not real painful anymore, but I still have some weakness in my legs, with an occasional shooting pain down both legs. It's getting better, but it's still going to be at least another six months before it's "normal" (as normal as it's gonna get) again.

The moral of the story: I don't know how old you are, and it really doesn't matter except in the attitude department, but when you get to see a doctor about it, and he sends you to PT, do what they tell you (gonna be something like "Williams Excercises" to strengthen the muscles in your back to support the spine better), and keep doing 'em - even after the PT sessions end. If you give up and stop, the likelyhood of re-injuring your back to a greater degree is very high.

Be REAL careful with your lifting mechanics, lose weight if you're fat and do some excercise, even if it's just a good walk.

I am speaking from experience, take this episode as a warning or you'll get a heavier taste of it later.

BTW: A hot, soaking bath is your friend.

Good Luck, be careful.

Scott

 

[tcsenter]

I'm not ready to play Russian Roulette w/the functioning of the left side of my body. <---that's what back or neck surgery is: Russian Roulette.

That's kinda amusing, coming from someone who sees a Quackopractor. Does he recommend treatment with manipulation, supplements, and mystic chants? Or using accupuncture with inscents burning from the end of the needle and a Ouija board?

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks for the kind words and advice guys. I especially appreciate the personal accounts of surgery and treatment, Todpod and ScottMac. Thank you.

I go back to the Chiro next week...first visit since the Official News. We'll see what happens.

Tcsenter, LOL! Chiropractic doesn't work for everyone, but it works for some and works well for others. I had Cervical and Thoracic spine problems as well as lumbar/sacral probs. The cervical/thoracic are fixed. Physical Therapy helps. Drugs only medicate the symptom (pain) they dont' take away the cause.

Granted, a large bottle of Vicodin is a beautiful thing (especially when mixed with alcohol...) but the pain will still be there when the drugs are gone.

Opting to try Chiropractic medicine is one of the best things I've ever done. I highly recommend it to anyone having back/neck probs. It may work or it may not...at least you can try!

 

[rahvin]

Chrio is probably the one that bulged your disc for you. Bunch of gorillas.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: rahvin
Chrio is probably the one that bulged your disc for you. Bunch of gorillas.

Nah, I had pain there years before I ever went to the Chiro. I have heard horror stories, though. Luckily, I'm not one of them. My younger years were pretty rough. Tackle football on the street (hey, it was NYC...we didn't HAVE grassy fields!) Lots of fighting and later on, a lot of manual labor jobs, where I injured my back on many occassions.

I guess this disc bulge is my crowning acheivement.