Went to my chiropractor and got my back Xrayed. It appears as though the disc at L5 is gone.
His advice was to keep active to prevent the 2 vertebrae from fusing together.
Anybody an expert or at least have any experience in this type of situation?
Just wondering what the future holds for me.

I've got my share of problems, and experience with chiros and various ortho docs. Bilateral pars fractures, spondylolisthesis, stenosis. In lay terms, a slipping vertebrae L4/L5 is acting as a cigar cutter on my spinal cord.

I think your guy probably has the right idea, but I'd damn sure see an ortho doc to make sure you've got the whole picture. If that disc is gone, I'd want a good MRI and professional radiologist's read to understand what the full situation is. I'm doing PT, and chiros to avoid surgery. So far, so good. That said, not a day, nor an hour goes by that I forget I have the issue. It is at best, background noise. But I did run a marathon in May, so I've not lost yet.

You can get disc replacement surgery. Ask for a referral to a qualified doctor. I know a guy who had two discs replaced and he was back to normal pretty quickly.

I go to chiropractors, too, for manipulation. But if he's saying a disc is gone, I would go to an MD specialty (I don't know which one that would be). I would even go to a Doctor of Osteopathy or neurologist or orthopedic surgeon.

I'm surprised a chiropractor would have an x-ray machine.

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Originally posted by r0gue:
I've got my share of problems, and experience with chiros and various ortho docs. Bilateral pars fractures, spondylolisthesis, stenosis. In lay terms, a slipping vertebrae L4/L5 is acting as a cigar cutter on my spinal cord.

I think your guy probably has the right idea, but I'd damn sure see an ortho doc to make sure you've got the whole picture. If that disc is gone, I'd want a good MRI and professional radiologist's read to understand what the full situation is. I'm doing PT, and chiros to avoid surgery. So far, so good. That said, not a day, nor an hour goes by that I forget I have the issue. It is at best, background noise. But I did run a marathon in May, so I've not lost yet.

Listen to this guy, Chiropractors remind me of this saying “everything is a hammer, but a hammer isn’t everything”. They can do a lot of good, but the haven’t put the orthopedist out of business.

Get thee to a spine doctor and hopefully an MRI. Maybe it’s nothing but maybe it’s something a quick visit that can identify potential issues.

I agree with everybody else. You probably would benefit from an MRI and an experienced ortho. I'm not firing my chiropractor, but ruptured disc got beyond what he could do. It helps having a chiro that doesn't speak against the ortho folks and vice-versa.

Ruptured disc here. I was advised to go with a neurosurgeon, not ortho. Turned out I didn't need surgery (yet).

Neurosurgeon is the next step. Soon. Will be the best thing you’ve done.
As others mentioned, a MRI will deliver so much more information.
Treat the problem, not the symptoms.
I’m not a doctor. I have had back surgery.

quote:

Originally posted by gjgalligan:
His advice was to keep active to prevent the 2 vertebrae from fusing together.

I am not an expert on this. Have had and continue medical care for back problems. Stenosis at L5S1. Despite what you were told, I doubt inactivity wpuld lead to spianal fusion; after all, that’s how these matters used to be handled before surgically.

You have options ranging from PT, injections and surgery. Seek out a qualified ortho doc. If he recommends surgery first, get a second opinion.

I would not schedule anymore chiropractic visits until you know what you’re dealing with.

If possible, my recommendation is to get an MRI and go to a spine doctor who does neither injections nor surgeries to get a good recommendation (docs that do injections will recommend injections and surgeons will recommend surgery).

Also, after reading that MRI, ask that specialist whether or not there are any dangers of chiropractic adjustment. (Things like severe narrowing of the foramen can be dangerous).

I was in a situation where a PM&R recommended injections & a surgeon recommended surgery. I got a non-biased 3rd opinion. He told me I would eventually need surgery, but he told me to stay active, do a couple "exercises" regularly to test for foot drop, and if I don't experience any foot drop, wait as long as possible for surgery and hope that disc replacement surgery improves in the meantime.

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I'm surprised a chiropractor would have an x-ray machine.

The first x-ray equipment brought to the US was done so by a chiropractor. Approx. 1905 from what I remember.
The first x-ray machine in Arizona was installed in an upper cervical chiropractor's office. I know his granddaughter.

I am a DC, and have two digital x-ray machines.

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Originally posted by nukeandpave:
Ruptured disc here. I was advised to go with a neurosurgeon, not ortho. Turned out I didn't need surgery (yet).

I did mine back in '06 and the surgeon observed me, saw I was making progress on my own and said in the past they would have thrown me on the table but now they go w/ PT if possible.
I was relieved but I wonder if surgery would have been the best thing for me. My back will never be the same. I get by.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I go to chiropractors, too, for manipulation. But if he's saying a disc is gone, I would go to an MD specialty (I don't know which one that would be). I would even go to a Doctor of Osteopathy or neurologist or orthopedic surgeon.

I'm surprised a chiropractor would have an x-ray machine.

If a chiropractor doesn't have an x-ray machine then you probably shouldn't be giving them your business. I know I won't.

I was diagnosed with bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrome end of last year. Had left hand/wrist surgery in April. I am now worse than before the surgery. Specifically middle finger is anywhere from 25% to 75% numb all the time. I refused to do the right hand and agreed with my neurosurgeon to get a cervical MRI. WOW. C3-4, C4-5, C5-6, C6-7 all show severe nural foraminal stenosis. What a shocker to see this in the MRO on screen. My guy recommends minimum of a 2 level fusion and maybe more. I am in process to get a second opinion. Further, there is no guarantee this will relieve the symptoms but will stop it from getting worse. A 4 level fusion could cause a 50% loss of neck mobility. I hope to be able to find a doctor that does the disk replacement or a hybrid versus 4 level fusion. Needless to say, this diagnosis/situation has rocked my little part of the world. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

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Originally posted by vulrath:

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I go to chiropractors, too, for manipulation. But if he's saying a disc is gone, I would go to an MD specialty (I don't know which one that would be). I would even go to a Doctor of Osteopathy or neurologist or orthopedic surgeon.

I'm surprised a chiropractor would have an x-ray machine.

If a chiropractor doesn't have an x-ray machine then you probably shouldn't be giving them your business. I know I won't.

Wrong. No need to over radiate patients by using your equipment on everyone of them. Usually best to start with conservative care, and if the patient does not improve, send the patient out for x-rays.

X-ray suite: costs ~$50,000, takes up a treatment room, and costs money every year for the tube license, etc.

I have an appointment with a back specialist that is in the same group as the Dr that did my wife's & my knee replacements. The knee Dr is the man that basically started this medical group and we have been very satisfied with our care so we are going to start there. Wife has a friend that is a patient there for her back and strongly recommended him.
Appointment is 8/31 but on the call list if there is an earlier opening.

Thanks for all the replies!

Glad to hear you’re seeing a spine specialist.
An MRI will give you much more info.
I have two ruptured disks S1/L5, L4/L5 & a herniated disk L3/L4.
Have been getting a series of Lumbar Epidurals every 3 months for 6 yrs to stave off back surgery.
Hope you get some relief & a good prognosis.

I had surgery on the L4/L5 about 5 years ago. 100% success.

The key is to be sure you are a good candidate for surgery. Just because something shows on an x-ray or MRI does not mean it is the cause of pain. Everyone over about age 40 has defects which will show up, but many of those people have zero pain. And, just because there is pain there doesn't mean what shows on the image is the cause.

The best physical exams I had were a physical therapist and the surgeon's PA. Both of them had me stand in front of them while the twisted, pushed, and manipulated my posture. It was a perfect diagnostic of which specific nerve was being aggravated and under what conditions.

A nerve conduction test verified which nerve and where it was hurt.

The MRI further confirmed the location, and gave the surgeon important information on what he would find and would need to do.

PT cannot fix a bad disk. It can help improve strength and mobility, which might forestall the need for surgery. Your insurance will insist on everything besides surgery because of cost, so don't be afraid to speak up if the PT (or injections, etc) don't help. I refused pain management meds.

I’ve had 3 lumbar surgeries involving L3,4 and 5. Age 31, late 40s and 65. After the last, pain improved but persisted. After spinal injections began to fail, I tried nerve ablation. They work.

Have to have them every 2-3 years but they bring relief. As described to me, an electronically radiating needle is inserted and microwave radiation burns the pain impulse carrying “sheaths” covering the nerves, thereby disrupting the pain signals.

Works for me.