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Having Tear In L4-5, Slight Bulging, Overly Curved Lower Spine, Severe Pain. No Help With Pain Medicines. Solution?
Hello! I recently have been having extreme issues with my lower back! I have already been diagnosed with a tear in L4-5 and slight bulging. I also have a overly curved lower spine , but I will not even try to remember the word. In the last week I have had some severe pain. The last 4 days has been excruciating bc I can not seem to get my lower back to get completely straight. A little bit ago I tried to lay flat on the floor and it brought me to tears . I also could hardly get back up. I am not sitting slouched on a heating pad bc I am at loss. I guess I don t know what to do? Pain medicine is not helping either and I am prescribed five 10 mg. Lortab a day. I was going to contact my doctor tomorrow but I dont know what can be done but don t want to suffer either? Thankyou for hearing my problem.
Thu, 25 Jul 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
As you are already having L4-L5 disc degeneration, the symptoms might have worsened now as a result of some unnoticed strain on the lower back.
The initial management of your problem will be as follows -
* Absolute rest
* avoid lifting heavy weights
* avoid forward bending activities
* Use a lumbosacral back support
* Intermittent pelvic traction
* Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
* Physiotherapy to strengthen your back muscles. Physiotherapy has to be done only after the acute pain has subsided.
* Judicious use of analgesics and muscle relaxants.
If you don't find any relief with the above measures, you need a consultation with an orthopedic / spine surgeon for a detailed workup and management.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
As you are already having L4-L5 disc degeneration, the symptoms might have worsened now as a result of some unnoticed strain on the lower back.
The initial management of your problem will be as follows -
* Absolute rest
* avoid lifting heavy weights
* avoid forward bending activities
* Use a lumbosacral back support
* Intermittent pelvic traction
* Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
* Physiotherapy to strengthen your back muscles. Physiotherapy has to be done only after the acute pain has subsided.
* Judicious use of analgesics and muscle relaxants.
If you don't find any relief with the above measures, you need a consultation with an orthopedic / spine surgeon for a detailed workup and management.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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