Hi, everyone.

I was having really bad back pain. I thought I had a kidney infection or my back was just weak from having babies back to back. i also noticed my back didnt feel right, it almost feels like i have a growth in the lower part. So I went to my GP, I was scared I had a tumor on my spine. So he said I had a Lipoma and Probaly just weak back muscles and sent me for a MRI. The MRI showed I have degenerative disc disease L5-S1 and spondylolisthesis grade 1-2. And severe spinal stenosis.

I was a little freaked out since I'm 30. I have started physical therapy and the machine they do on my back plus the taping feels good. Ice on my back also helps. I don't get to see my neuro surgeon until 12/14.

I guess I'm a little scared of the unknown. I have done research on spondylolisthesis and I know what dr. google tells me. But I wanted to know if anyone has any advice on my condition. Can anyone tell me what to expect from my Neuro guy.

My PT lady told me that I'm in Acute stages.... She said if I was older she knows I would Probaly already had surgery... I don't even know what precautns I should be making right now...

Thank you all for any advice or information that you may have

Lisa

Hi ~ I'm glad you're seeing the Neurosurgeon in December. It would seem that the spinal stenosis is more important than the spondolyisthesis. Since the stenosis is severe, that is probably what the neurosurgeon is going to be concerned about. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the lumbar spinal column putting pressure on the nerve roots, resulting in sciatica, etc. The Degenerative disc disease is a drying out of the discs which we ALL get as we age -- some of us get it sooner than others. When the discs dry out, they flatten and then can bulge out/herniate and touch nerves & that hurts!!

So I hope you'll let us know what happens when you see the neurosurgeon in December. Don't jump into surgery. If he does recommend surgery, get at least 2 other opinions before you decide. Surgery should be a LAST RESORT. So make sure you do research and know exactly what is going to be done IF that is the opinion of all 3 surgeons. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee

Hi Lisa,

You mentioned it felt like kidney pain....but your spondy is at L5-S1 which would be at the base of the spine, some 8-10" lower. Could they be two different issues? That said, you also mentioned that there is spinal stenosis. Would that be lateral canal or central?

The reason I say this is that a spondy (in one of the four types) is due to a bilateral crack in the pars which then disingages the vertebral body from the neural arch and then allows the vertebral body, more or less, to slide forward. This actually increases the central canal diameter, which is why I asked. The lateral canals unfortunately suffer from an increasing up-down phenomenon effectively as the vertebral body slides forward creating a lateral canal stenosis, in your case likely pinching the exiting L5 nerve roots up against the posterior disc. There can also be entrapment by Hoffman's ligament as well.

Your PT should be able to guide you thru appropriate exercises for your condition. The surgery (this assumes your is a pars interuption vs. degenerative spondy) for a spondy is usually involving pedicle screws and fusion and is BIG! From what I've seen, patients are usually 1 year out before all is said and done and are not necessarily better off. I have asked spine-ortho's whom I know when is it appropriate to consider stabilization and their answer is when you are on all fours on the floor for awhile and can't get up. There are a number of ways to nurse it along but it will be episodic repeatidly, more than likely. I definately would hold off for as long as possible on surgical remidies and try everything else in the meantime!

Excellent advice!