Collapsed disks in spine.

[Scorpius]

I have 2 collapsed disks in my spine, after a meeting with a consultant surgeon he has suggested we try a steroid injection onto the spine, followed by injection of a cement between the disks, done under general anaesthetic which should solve the problem. If any members have had this done I would be very grateful to learn of their experience.

[hawker955]

I have had a spinal nerve block, as you describe and it was incredibly effective. I was told to be careful hen I got up to walk in case my legs were affected but I easily walked down about 6 flights of stairs, because I just wanted to get home! But in terms of my nerve compression it was completely effective and I was cycling within 24hours. The consultant said it might not be permanent and need repeating, or at worst need surgery but this was 10/3/15and I've never looked back, completely effective it seems. Good luck!

[Scorpius in reply to hawker955]

Thanks for your opinion. I have had the back pain for the last 4 years and is so debilitating, this is the time it has taken for my GP to refer me to a Consultant regarding the problem. I assume your comments refer to the injection of "cement between disks", was it a unpleasant experience, how long before it took effect, any side effects. Thanking you.

[hawker955 in reply to Scorpius]

No I was referring to an injection of steroid and local onto a compressed nerve. But on 29/4/14 I had vertebroblasty for compression fractures following osteoporosis. That was done under anaesthesia[ mine not the doctor's] and the compressed nerve was a delayed complication of the fractures so the nerve clock was one year later. But the vertebroplasty was also hugely successful. Having had these fractures for five months, my pain had gone by the following morning. The consultant said that the procedure when they inject a mixture of superglue and polyfilla into the rumbling bones, must have lifted the bones away from the nerve but it was a great relief very quickly indeed. I had no real side-effects at all apart from feeling very bruised where they inserted the needle, that was pretty hefty! I joked that they had used a cow-needle by mistake or else the nurses had beaten me with a big stick while I was asleep. But that cleared within a few days. Since then I've been fine. The most painful bit was lying flat and still for 30 minutes while I had my MRI-scan for the fractures. in the November.

[Scorpius in reply to hawker955]

I know the feeling re MRI scan, but thanks for the information, it's good to hear of the success, date for first process (steroid injection) 7/1/17. Your thoughts were very helpful.

[mary4444 in reply to hawker955]

just read your post so very interesting i have ra and osteoporosis last oct had a t7 vertebral compression fracture nobody really explained to me whats going to happen now still getting around fine but worried what future holds xx

[hawker955]

I would expect the future is rosy. I had four compression fractures and none caused trouble after the vertebroplasty except for the compressed nerve sorted by the nerve block. We're all different cases but I would like to think that I was not unusual.

[Rosebaywillowherb]

Hello Scorpious, I'm seeing orthopaedic doc on Monday for collapsed vertebrae,caused by osteoporosis,they will decide if cement injection is an option,I hope so, as am in constant nagging backache with it.will keep you posted on outcome,the feedback on it sounds pretty good.

[Scorpius]

I have been watching the process of injecting a cement material between the affected disks, this as shown on "YouTube" although I am not looking forward to the treatment the success as rated by some of the doctors gave 95% success rate, patients also found that immediately after the process all pain was gone and they were able to walk normally. Released from Hospital the same day, with no side affects, sounds too good to be true.

[Jan101]

I also had a vertebroplasty done in June. I had 5 fractures and they done 4 of them and I have also never looked back. Took all the pain away from my spine. Then in November I had RF fusion on my nerves but for me with total rest that takes around 6 to 8 weeks for the nerves to die. I was doing really well at 4 weeks then I lifted a bag off shopping and I felt it pull on my lower back and it has set me back. Silly me. I won't be doing that again.🙄

[Lesley_1 in reply to Jan101]

I wear a back brace during the day to protect me when I lift something. Any back injury which requires rest leaves back weaker and more prone to further injury.

My L5/S1 disk bulged in 2003 and now I have 4-5 affected. Some say wearing a brace makes the back weaker, it probably does but at 59 my back is only going to get worse so I try the brace to keep my disc spaces supported.

[Lesley_1]

I found that RF rhizotomies helped initially but I only had L5/S1 affected then. Now I have L1-S1 affected. I take lyrica 75 mg at night and 400mg SR team ado lover 24 hours.

If I get a really bad flare up I take a week of prednisolone. Very rarely though. I wear a back brace and heat also helps. Looking into Surgical back brace to support spine better