Just a thought about surgery. if L4- is slipped over L-5, that may constitute a need for surgery. I never think surgery is good, unless the pain has become so severe, that quality of life is compromised. I had the same thing happen, C5- was slipped over C-6. The ones above that reversed the curve. I did have surgery, and it did turn out OK. My pain specialist said there comes a come when shots, blocks and intervention conservatively doesn't work anymore, and that is the time to investigate a surgical approach. An elder friend of mine had back surgery, and she was in her 80's also. Her surgery did OK for her and greatly reduced her pain. I hope everything turns out OK. ginnie

Thanks Ginnie, She has since changed her mind. She is taking the oral prednisone dose pack, although shes terrified with her kidneys being stage 2 impairment. Im thinking which outweighs which ? pain or risk of damage? She is awaiting a call to go in for a epidural in hopes of calming the nerve down. I really think shes looking at surgery. The doc is saying that since she lived with the slip for so long, that the ruptured disk is creating the problem. I hope she can get some decent time with reduced pain from the epidural. The pain is getting worse rapidly as she went from NO EPIDURAL to waiting by the phone for the call to do one!

Hello, and I am sorry about that painful condition. I hope she is going to an actual pain specialist for the epidural. These injections sometimes really help, and at other times they do not. Each person is different. In my case I didn't get the relief and went for Katemine infusions. these did work for me for a period of about three weeks each of them. In my case however, the pain specialist was the person who told me, they just could not control my pain and he sent me to the best Neuro surgeon around, since old hardware and the curve of my spine had to be addressed as well. If her pain specialist ever comes to the point they cannot help. that certainly is a time to consider a surgical solution. I was on morphine on a high does, and the Katemine infusions stopped working. Also under the guide machine, he could see what was happening in my spine. I do wish her all the best. I hope you can find the solution, to lead to a better quality of life. Keep in touch, and let me know how it goes. ginnie

I just came across your post. Sorry you are having so much pain. I had spond. in my cervial spine. I do agree with Leesa. Please make sure that you need the surgery, and get second and maybe even third opinion. My first neruo surgeon fused C6-7/ Six years later, my neck acted like dominos, and above and below the origional site failed. I had also reversed the curve of my spine. Was fused a year ago C3-7. I really didn't do my homework for the first fusion, I was too busy being in pain I guess. I had trouble right after the first surgery and didn't know that other areas of my spine were left with damage. I didn't read my records until I was embarking on my second fusion. I did get great results with my last fusion. I hope you do not have to go the surgial route unless it is absolutely necessary. I had no choice in eithor of mine. Please do get your MRI and do the research on what is said, and research your neurosurgeon as much as you can. I had a different second neurosurgeon because I had not been told all the truth about my condition. I do wish you all the best. I hope you find the right resolution so that you can again have good quality of life. I know you want to take care of your family. In any case, my surgery did turn out OK in the end, it can for you too. Just do all the homework. ginnie

Make sure you get a second and even a third opinion. If the nerve is being impinged on it will cause more damage. It needs to be free. If the doctors opinions are the same and your in alot of pain I would try to get surgery and get it stable. I say this because I've had 4 l5 s1 discectomies and another for lg chunks of disc imbeded in the nerve encassed in scare tissue. The last surgery I had there was no more disc left so I had a l5 s1 disc replacment. this made a world of difference. The nerves were being crushed and pain like that no medication could touch those levels, so this is why I say the nerve needs to be free whether it's bone fragments, disc material,spurs, alignment issues it needs to be off those nerves. I went to HSS in NYC great hospital very knowledgable surgeons and the staff is professional. They also have a great financial program. Just double check everything and bring a list of questions. I also took my father there due to a local hospital major mess up and the did a limb salvage surgery on him he is great like a miracle. Good luck and hang in there.