Question 1

i have a lower back bulging disc around l5.
been treated with epidural lumbar injection 3 times, no real improvements so far, they want to try the lumbar facet injection, would it work better? isn't that just for the facet joints? what differs?

Accepted Answer

Pain generators: facets can be pain generators as well.  Likely, you doctor is thinking that the epidural treated part of the problem but facet block may treat the other component of your problem.  Facet blocks can be diagnostic as well as therapeutic.

Question 2

i have a bulging disc at c5/c6 with radiating pain left upper arm/forearm could this also cause referred pain to thoracic facet joint area?.

Accepted Answer

Not really: Bulging disc atc5/c6 can cause pain in left upper arm and fore arm but will not cause referred pain in thoracic facet joint area.

Question 3

can a multilevel bulging disc in my l4-l5 cause my legs to ache constantly and affect my knee joints making it difficult to walk?
at times my left knee will go numb and they both feel like they will give out. just wondering if it's all connected?

Accepted Answer

Legs &amp; L4L5 discs: Generally everything in our bodies are connected. Disc bulging will compress nerves from the region innervated, and cause lower extremity symptoms. Consult with a neurologist or ortho.

Question 4

what does inward buckling ligamentum flavum hypertrophic arthropathy at l4/l5 and s1 of facet joints.. l4 bulging disk mean? can it cause numb legs?

Accepted Answer

Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the nerve canal and can cause numbness in the legs and difficulty with standing or walking for an extended period of time.  The buckling of the ligamentum flavum is one of the conditions that leads to the spinal stenosis.  Good question.

Question 5

would si join pain cause electral shocks and lighting nerve pain in back or is  pirifomis sydrome the more likely cause?i have no slip or bulging disk

Accepted Answer

Need good exam: Si doesn't cause electrical shocks just dull ache that occasionally radiates to the groin, piriformis syndrome may, but the most common reason is lumbar disk disease. See your physician.

Question 6

why can my bulging disc not be operated on?

Accepted Answer

Surgery for disc: A bulging disc is a common finding on MRI as we age. It is usually not the cause of back pain. Therefore operating on it is not beneficial. Surgery for disc herniation is usually reserved for cases were it is putting pressure on the nerve or where it is determined to be the source of back pain. Surgery will not improve your back pain if the supportive structures of your spine are not strengthened.

Question 7

what does the pain feel like for bulging disc?

Accepted Answer

Depends: The majority of bulging discs are not painful (60% of 60 years with no pain have bulging discs). If you do have a painful one, it is usually achey, worse with sitting and better with walking. The majority become asymptomatic after a course of physical therapy and anti- inflammatories.

Question 8

can physical therapy make bulging disc worse?

Accepted Answer

Rarely : Typically a person with a bulging disc isn't going to cause "more damage" or make their problem worse by being active or participating in pt.  That being said, certain activities and exercises should be avoided or else pain can increase.  A spine specialist can tell you what activities to avoid and what exercises are beneficial, and this depends in part on the specific disc problem you have.

Question 9

could a herniated disc / bulging disk be affecting thecal sac?

Accepted Answer

Yes: However, this pressure on the thecal sack is most probably insignificant. I would not be worried by that report that usually you will see the radiologist review.

Question 10

my doctor told me i had a bulging disc in my back. will i need surgery?

Accepted Answer

No: Odds are no ! most of the time, surgery should be a last option. Most people have bulging discs. It depends if the bulge is "touching" import structures as to what your treatment may be. The bulge in itself may not be causing any problem.

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Doctor answers about:

Bulging disc vs si joint

A member asked:

I have a lower back bulging disc around l5. been treated with epidural lumbar injection 3 times, no real improvements so far, they want to try the lumbar facet injection, would it work better? isn't that just for the facet joints? what differs?

A member asked:

I have a bulging disc at c5/c6 with radiating pain left upper arm/forearm could this also cause referred pain to thoracic facet joint area?.

A member asked:

Can a multilevel bulging disc in my l4-l5 cause my legs to ache constantly and affect my knee joints making it difficult to walk? at times my left knee will go numb and they both feel like they will give out. just wondering if it's all connected?

A member asked:

What does inward buckling ligamentum flavum hypertrophic arthropathy at l4/l5 and s1 of facet joints.. l4 bulging disk mean? can it cause numb legs?

A member asked:

Would si join pain cause electral shocks and lighting nerve pain in back or is pirifomis sydrome the more likely cause?i have no slip or bulging disk

A member asked:

Why can my bulging disc not be operated on?

A member asked:

What does the pain feel like for bulging disc?

A member asked:

Can physical therapy make bulging disc worse?

A member asked:

Could a herniated disc / bulging disk be affecting thecal sac?

A member asked:

My doctor told me i had a bulging disc in my back. will i need surgery?

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