lower back pain- Focal Disc extrusion

[mcculloughfloss]

What is it? I have had lower back pain for the last 2-3 years. The severity changes quite often. I cant lie on my stomach as this hurts my back and I cant lie on a bench to do a chest press (gym weights€0 so I have to put my feet on the bench too. It got to the stage about 1-2 years ago where I was curled up in a ball on the floor and COULD NOT move. I havent had that problem since, but I have seen doctors, orthopaedic surgeons, masseurs, chiros, remedial massagers, physio's..EVERYONE. I have had xrays and MRI's done and the mri showed a focal disc extrusion but i dont know what this is. The physio said to do exercises, but thats crap, it does nothing. The only way to fix it is to have an operation, but at 20 years old I dont like the risks involved. I play netball and have been advised not to play because of the shock. At the moment I wear a magnetic back plate which takes the pain away, but I shouldnt have to wear this for the rest of my life.
Has anyone got the same problem or know what it is and how to fix it???

[soki]

i have serious lower back pain problem, with quite bad sciatica also , since couple of years . I also think to surgery, as the situation got bad. As far as I know surgery risks involved (like an accidental nerve lesion ) are as low as 0.1 % . which is not that much. but think about that surgery not really fix backpain problem, it s approach is to decrees nervous issues like sciatica (pain on the leg ). In few situation surgery also solve backpain. my opinion is like at 20 years old u should get better by doing a lot of swimming and bicycle ride on flat surface. When I was in your condition I did some non steroidal infiltrations, which were really helpful. there are some opinions like wearing holding belts for long time is not a good idea, they are only to be used when you are doing physical effort.
take care

[Dbailey]

It sounds like your have a bulging or herniated disc? is this correct?

[Mischap123]

Sounds like a joint problem this time around. Why do you need to lay on your stomach? Are you a stomach sleeper? NOT GOOD FOR BACKS. With doing bench press. sounds like you are extending your back too much.Have your knees and hips bent so that your feet are also on the bench. As for surgery at such a young age, if the pain is unbearable then go for it. I have a patient who benefited. BUT this prob's symptoms seems to be different to that of a disc bulge.