Just got results from an MRI today.

I have 2 herniated disks in my lumbar spine. I teach Tae Kwon Do 3 days a week and Im afraid that my career in that endeavor is pretty much over.

Does anyone know a ballpark success rate of people being able to fully recover from this type of injury after surgery?

10/15/2008 6:34:22 PM

sorry bro

10/15/2008 6:35:12 PM

It MIGHT heal (quite possibly only with surgery), if its only herinated. If its ruptured it will never heal.

10/15/2008 6:37:56 PM

my dad had a ruptured disk. started losing feeling and strength in his foot. he had surgery and was back at work (very physical mechanic work in a power plant) in a couple weeks.

[Edited on October 15, 2008 at 6:45 PM. Reason : but he doesn't teach tae kwan do either ]

10/15/2008 6:44:54 PM

I am currently being treated for a disk herniation in my cervical spine (C8, precisely) which is causing ulnar nerve compression on my left side.

10/15/2008 6:50:44 PM

Mine is L2-L3 and IIRC (actually if I could decrypt the radiologist speak) possibly my L4-L5 but thats not severe

My gf is a nurse and she said a slipped disc would have been a much better and less serious diagnosis.

10/15/2008 7:38:13 PM

get a mac.

10/15/2008 7:48:37 PM

I have 3

10/15/2008 8:01:04 PM

well there ya go

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/01/leberation_claims_mac_pros_emit_toxic_fumes/

10/15/2008 8:03:22 PM

I had what was thought to be 1 herniated disk, but turns out I had a ruptured disk (mostly herniated though) with SEVERE nerve compression on my L4/L5 nerve root which has given me permanent nerve damage and pains up and down my left leg.

Had all this shit since Superbowl Sunday when I lifted a TV down some stairs with this guy so I tried the physical therapy, the EPI shots in your back, and also spinal decompression at the chiropractor for 2 months....NOTHING HELPED!

Ultimately had to get referred to a neurosurgeon from my chiropractor and had surgery 2 months ago. I feel 80% better. Still feel the nerve pains in my left leg (but NOWHERE near as bad as they were b/c I couldn't walk or drive or anything for like 8 months) and still have some back pains (like I can tell it's SUPER WEAK), but for the most part I'm a lot better.

PM me for more advice.

[Edited on October 15, 2008 at 8:05 PM. Reason : .]

10/15/2008 8:04:47 PM

I herniated my lowest disc pinching my L5S1 nerve 10 years ago, shit did not recover, worst pain ever and I never wish the same pain upon my worst enemy

they say surgery is 50/50 and that I didn't need it anyways...my shit has been reinflamed so many times, just gotta be smart about what I lift now...I've even lost 85lbs so far this year and still manage to

10/15/2008 9:37:02 PM

my dad went to some surgeon in greenville. he seemed to really like him. the doctor wasn't in a hurry to just go to cutting away, which i thought showed some genuine care since surgery is where he really makes the bank. i can get the name if you're interested.

10/15/2008 9:40:35 PM

Ill see what the back specialist says tomorrow.

10/15/2008 11:14:59 PM

^^ Unfortunately, my doctor was TOTALLY the opposite. I'd go in for a consultation and he basically was in there 5 minutes and was out, only stating "You can opt to do surgery or just continue to have this pain for the rest of your life."

Even on my follow-ups I'm having now, he's IN and OUT. He's very cut-throat and clear-cut. Doesn't really entertain questions too well, but is HIGHLY rated as the #1 neurosurgeon in Wake County. And I'm pleased with his work. My incision looks WONDERFUL after 2 months and he did a good job "fixing" me even though I'd say I'm only 80% well right now. But that's better than the TORTURE I endured for 9 months. *sigh*

10/16/2008 2:41:20 AM

I was given prescriptions for celebrex and soma today and told to stop taking the valium.

The sports med office referred me to the pain management office but they said that an injection is an elective procedure.

WTF, elective procedure for 2 herniated disks? Are they fucking retarded?

10/16/2008 3:57:07 PM

yeah it sucked

took like 3 months to heal completely

felt like ryu had HADOUKEN'd me right in the spine

10/16/2008 3:59:24 PM

10/16/2008 5:15:21 PM