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From: Ruthie.Hoffman@f223.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ruthie Hoffman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: disk bulge/herniation.
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Date: 30 Oct 90 04:26:49 GMT
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Index Number: 11375

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 > a disk bulge or herniation. A year ago I incurred a severe disk
 > bulge between L5-S1 and a minimal one between L4-L5. Some say I
Hi there Jim!  I herniated the disk between L4-L5 a year ago, and the 
one between L5-S1 is deteriorated.  There were also signs of a much 
earlier, less severe herniation on the right side of the one between 
L4-L5.  I lost feeling in my left leg a year ago, around the ankle 
and foot, along with loss of movement of my first 3 toes.  The pain 
was incredible, to put it mildly.  I went to a GREAT neurosurgeon, 
here in the Rochester area, and had surgery on Nov.1, 1989.  The did 
NOT remove the whole disk, just the large fragment that had come out 
on the left side and was pressing against the nerve. I had movement in 
my toes in 12 hrs!! They left the right side (the old fragments) alone,
since I do not experience any loss of movement, and very
little pain (comparitively) on that side.

 > I chose Chiropractic care for this. A year later I still
 > experience a little pain and grumbling and go and recieve a
 > "cox" treatment. I have many unanswered questions, although I am
I personally am quite glad I went from my family Dr. straight to the 
neurosurgeon.  The neurosurgeon did give me the option to try some 
theraphy before having the surgery, but the pain and the loss of 
feeling and movement caused me to not risk it and I had the surgery.

 > now very learned in the spine. Such as:To what extent can a disk
 > heal itself and how long(years?). If the nucleus propulsus was
 > not broken, will it eventually return to it's nowmal shape,
 > strength and elasticity releiving my sciatic nerve forever? I
Well...since things are not over for me yet (sigh) ( I'm having pain 
again, nothing like before tho, and they want to check on the disc 
between L5-S1.  I may also just be experiencing pain from the nerve, 
which may never return to 'normal', along with..gasp..maybe some 
arthritis ) and I am going for another MRI next week,
I will be seeing the neurosurgeon again on Nov. 5. I will ask him these
questions and see what response I get!!

 > ones!) and feedback. I also am interested in seeing more
 > cooperative endeavors between the medical and chiropractic
 > communities. I've seen a definate "rift" between the two
 > societies.....
Myself, I wouldn't go to a chiropractor.  I have known too many 
people who have gone to them because of back or neck pain, and when I 
have asked them if the Dr. ever ordered an X-ray or CT scan, they 
*usually* tell me no.  I will admit, tho, that there are some that 
won't touch the patient until they have a look- see at an x-ray or 
such, but, like many things, the "bad ones" spoil the whole bunch, 
and I guess many, like me, don't take the risk.  OTOH, I do know a 
couple of friends, and one relative, that SWEARS by their 
chiropractor, so ... to each his own :)

 > ps   I've been thinking......What if a surgeon were to "wrap"
 > some form of binding material around a bulging disk to
 > permanently hold in it's normal shape? An analogy would be when
 > you put duct tape around a bulging radiator hose in your
 > car.......Has this been thought of before? Or actually done? If
 > it could be done it would relieve a lot of poeple.....
Interesting thought.....  I will ask the Dr. this also.  Last year my 
hubby asked the Dr. if he could put in grease fittings on my back so 
that when it got sore and tight, he could grease it, just like a car! 
Needless to say, neither the Dr. or myself liked that idea  :)

CU,  Ruthie

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