And the neurosurgeon said........

[Bummer Knees]

This is neurosurgeon Bodybuilder use to work with, and he is well known in this area of Kansas.

I have never been to a specialist on the cervical injury, always been treated by the primary doctor

I also wanted an opinion by this doctor on the lumbar spine as the nerve pain in the hip & leg have worsened.

Cervical spine:
I do have a hernation of C-5, C-6.
The doctor recomended physical therapy & pain management, he dosen't feel surgery is needed at this time.

Lumbar spine:
I have problems at L-1, L-2, L3, L4, & L5.
The doctor said he could do a fusion of L1-L-4, although there is no guarantee that it will help with the pain.

The biggest area of concern is L-4, something about the nerve and a color change on the MRI.

I told the doctor no surgery at this time, I would like to try other types of treatment first.

He is recomending I start with ESI's and pain management. He also suggested physical therapy.

My ankle is unstable and he dosen't believe it is from the spine.
I agree as I have moderate arthritis of the ankle.

I am happy with what I learned and it does give me a peace of mind.

Thanks Bodybuilder for the help.

[inpainokla]

when he says problems at l-5 through s-1 what does he mean by that slight buldging herniatoins,DDD??..did he interprt what he means by problem?

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Well good news is knowing what is wrong. But are you willing to do the recomended physical therapy & pain management, which also will include medications and shots of some sort?

[Bummer Knees]

Laughing, you do know me Bad Boy!

The physical therapy I have no problems with.

ESI's I am not to thrilled about, but will do them if they will help.

And I just don't like taking meds at all..........but sometimes I just don't have a choice.

I went to this doctor because the back pain is limiting my mobility.

[Bummer Knees]

inpainokla

The doctor mentioned several things, hernation, bulging, loss of disc height, DDD, and the nerve at L-4 & L-5.

He told his assistant the biggest area of concern is at L-4.

I will request medical records from today's appointment.

I really do like this doctor, good communication skills.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

That's just it Bummer, as with the Pain Mangement, if you wont do as recommended, they will stop treatment. That was why I asked you what I did.

[Bummer Knees]

Bad Boy if the treating doctor says pain management, I may not like it but I will do it.

When I had the replacement one of the RN's at the hospital was a good friend of mine. She described me as having a high tolerance for pain, and a low tolerance for medication.