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Back stiffner

  • 24-09-2007 6:42pm
    #1
    NUTLEY BOY
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,345 ✭✭✭


    My mate's father - 55 yo - has chronic lower back problems. In technical terms his L4/L5 disc is shagged and keeps "slipping" to use another inexact term !

    They seem to be talking about putting rods or something in to his back to stabilise the joint. Is this for real as it sounds like last chance stuff or does it actually do any good ?


Comments

  • #2
    Rogueish
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 781 ✭✭✭Rogueish


    I take it that your dad has tried all other forms of non invasive treatment? Core strengthening, maitland mobilisations, avoiding the movement that is causing him to 'slip a disc' (the proper term is herniate), weightloss (if needed)?

    Why are they going to insert rods instead of a partial discectomy (sp?) where they remove the bulging part of the disc where it impinges on the nerve?

    I find it unusual that they are going to insert rods but then again only your dads consultant knows the full medical history but there is nothing stopping your Dad from asking as many questions as possible to find out if this is the best possible treatment for him.


  • #3
    N8
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 458 ✭✭N8


    NUTLEY BOY wrote:
    My mate's father - 55 yo - has chronic lower back problems. In technical terms his L4/L5 disc is shagged and keeps "slipping" to use another inexact term !

    They seem to be talking about putting rods or something in to his back to stabilise the joint. Is this for real as it sounds like last chance stuff or does it actually do any good ?

    It sound a bit like, nothing else we have done worked so lets try this... At his age the complications of surgery are many and serious, not to mention the increased rate of failed low back surgery with age.

    I doubt that your mate's dad has tried any form of conservative treatment, perhaps he should consult a good chiropractor.


  • #4
    NUTLEY BOY
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,345 ✭✭✭NUTLEY BOY


    Thanks for the replies.

    I suspect that the patient was being given a worst case scenario to put the wind up him to try some of those measures you mentioned !

    He is about two stone too heavy and I therefore suspect that his real problem is excessive downwards compression on the disc because of that.

    Looks like the swimming pool for him........


  • #5
    N8
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 458 ✭✭N8


    NUTLEY BOY wrote:
    Thanks for the replies.

    I suspect that the patient was being given a worst case scenario to put the wind up him to try some of those measures you mentioned !

    He is about two stone too heavy and I therefore suspect that his real problem is excessive downwards compression on the disc because of that.

    Looks like the swimming pool for him........

    M8 its not the weight is the problem I hear this all the time. If it were the weight all his discs would 'slip' - he has a problem that is specifically damaging L4L5 by the sounds of it and its this that has been exposed by the weight rather than caused by it.


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