Hi everyone,
Ive been dealing with back and neck problems since 2009. I have severe osteoarthritis in my lower back and neck and have alot of bulging discs, mild slippage, several bones spurs, and mild canal stenosis in my back. Five years ago I had an ablation for my lower back and that worked great, I still dont have lower back pain. Ive been getting cervical ablations for 3 years and just this year my neck pain has gotten alot worse, its a pinching, burning pain. I work full time in an office working on a computer and its too painful to do that anymore, so Im applying for a disability. Three years ago I developed hip pain and was diagnosed with bursitis. Doctor says the pain is referred from my lower back. Now, it hurts to sit for very long and to walk is painful. Ive been getting epidurals for that and they have been working. The last one I had is not working. My doctor is sending me to a neurosurgeon. I dont want surgery, but not sure why all this problem in hip from back. Does anyone understand this? Do you think Ill need surgery??

Hey kath, I can relate to much of your pain. I have degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis in the lumbar area, and occasionally the sciatica flares up with a vengeance. Epidurals have helped a lot over the years in knocking out the sciatica.

If you don't want surgery, then talk to the neurosurgeon. Ask him if he would explain the correlation between your back and the hip pain.

If you're not satisfied, would seeking a second opinion be an option?

I've learned to be proactive in my health care. I am not afraid to ask questions or get a second opinion.

I hope you stick around and post updates when you can.