Thread: Back problems
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Old 12-16-2012, 08:08 AM
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Leesa Leesa is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Michigan
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Leesa Leesa is offline
Senior Member
Leesa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,424
15 yr Member
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Let me see if I can help a little:

At L3-4 you have a herniated disc which causes narrowing of the spinal canal and bilateral neural formation (I don't know what they mean by neural formation) I'm wondering if it shouldn't read neural foramen.

At L4-5 there is enhancing soft tissue on the right side consistent with granulation tissue. (newly formed capillaries that form on the surface of a wound). There is mild to moderate narrowing of the right neural foramen -- the foramen is the hole that the nerves pass thru to get to the spinal cord. The left neural foramen is fine.

Sitting and standing are no-no's for people who have had spinal surgery or who have a disc herniation. This puts too much pressure on the discs. So you don't want to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time. Walking is great, but you should build up your time gradually. Maybe walk a block for a few days, then increase to two blocks for a few days, then 3, etc. Don't try to do it all at once.

Have you tried pain management? I'd recommend this to get a handle on your pain. Try ALL CONSERVATIVE METHODS before undergoing surgery again!!! Surgery just begets more surgery. You've probably just suffered the "domino effect." What happens is after you've had surgery, the level above or below the surgery site will fail - causing you to possibly need more surgery. BUT if you have surgery again, then THAT level above or below will fail. So that's probably what has happened to you. So more surgery will just make another level herniate. Physical therapy is your best bet. Plus pain management. I wish you the very best. Keep us posted, ok? God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee
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recovering alcoholic, sober since 7-29-93;severe depression; 2 open spinal surgeries; severe sciatica since 1986; epidurals; trigger points; myelograms; Rhizotomy; Racz procedure; spinal cord stimulator implant (and later removal); morphine pump trial (didn't work);now inoperable; lumpectomy; radiation; breast cancer survivor; heart attack; fibromyalgia; on disability.



Often the test of courage is not to die, but to live..
.................................................. ...............Orestes
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