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Can physio fix this or must I have an operation: ‘spine pressing on a nerve root S1 giving me back

Posted , 5 users are following.

JeremySt
JeremySt

Please advise - has your back pain due to the spine pressing on a root nerve gone in time or with physio’s help, or did you need an operation to be pain free?

My lower back pain comes at night when I’ve been sleeping on my back for a while. It goes away when I revert to sleep on my side(s). I have no pain while walking or sitting at my desk in the office or at home.

I am worried that my neurosurgeon Consultant will recommend a back operation to get rid of the pain, which incidentally is more than bearable.

I would appreciate hearing about your own experiences and views. Thank you, Jeremy

1 like, 20 replies

20 Replies

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  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 JeremySt

    Posted

    Hi, Jeremy,

    If your'e in the UK, getting spinal surgery is almost impossible, unless it's the direst of circumstances.

    Why do you think it's nerve root pressure? Have you had diagnostic scans?

    Most consultants I have seen would just tell me to sleep on my side, if it only comes on when lying on your back.

    Usually nerve root pressure is worse when sitting or standing. If Iwere you I would book a few physio appointments and see what they say.

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt Laura3333

      Posted

      Hi Laura

      Thanks for your insight. Incidentally it was 

      my MRI scan for prostate (all ok there) that showed the nerve root pressure.

      I will book those physio appointments now! Cheers, Jeremy

    • Carolineq8
      Carolineq8 JeremySt

      Posted

      I certainly would not be considering surgery unless it was having a massive impact on your daily life and you have tried every other option available, spinal surgery can cause a whole load of other problems including chronic pain, look into chiropractic treatment😊

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt Carolineq8

      Posted

      Thank you Caroline, I agree. As a start  I am seeing the physio tomorrow 
  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 JeremySt

    Posted

    Good luck, physios can be better than doctors at times.
  • linda1718
    linda1718 JeremySt

    Posted

    Hi Jeremy, if I was you I wouldn’t even consider spine surgery as your back doesn’t seem to be giving you too many problems.

    I have had 2 spine surgeries, the last one November last year, and I’m in more pain now than I was before the surgeries. 

    Linda x

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt linda1718

      Posted

      Hi Linda

      Thank you for your advice. I am sorry you still are in pain. What’s your next step?

      As I write I am in physio’s waiting room, definitely will resist Surgery.

      Best wishes

      Jeremy

    • linda1718
      linda1718 JeremySt

      Posted

      Jeremy,

      Ive paid for quite a few physio sessions as NHS physio is useless.

      I have an appointment next month for a Pain Clinic so see what they will advise. I only know I’m not even going to try a stimulator as read too many bad reports on them.

      Linda x

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt linda1718

      Posted

      I know what you mean. Good luck with the Pain Clinic
    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 linda1718

      Posted

      Hi Linda, went to pain clinic last week, and going for spinal injections on Thursday.

      Like you, two back ops, now have failed back surgery syndrome.

      In other words they don't know what to do with me!

    • linda1718
      linda1718 Laura3333

      Posted

      i know how you feel Laura, please let me know how you get on on Thursday. I can go to the pain clinic armed with all the information I’ve picked up on here 🤞

    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 linda1718

      Posted

      I've been going on and off for years, different Dr. Had injections before, not helped a lot, these are different ones. Yes will update you after Thursday.

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt Laura3333

      Posted

      Hi Laura, Linda 

      Laura, fingers crossed for Thursday, please let us know how you get on.

      As regards my physio - I had some encouraging news. She, like you, encouraged me not to consider surgery. She said I was a bit stiff in the back. Gave me a good massage after which I felt much better. Gave me two exercises that she wants me to do twice daily before I see her again next week.

      But the best news was that she seemed certain that the exercises will reverse my (bearable) pain. 

      I have my fingers crossed for you both. All the Best, Jeremy

    • linda1718
      linda1718 JeremySt

      Posted

      Great news Jeremy, keep up with the exercises.

      Linda x

    • JeremySt
      JeremySt linda1718

      Posted

      First day post physio exercises went well. The pain is certainly not worse, maybe a little better. As much as I would love to go swimming , unfortunately the pool is always like Piccadilly Circus 😌. Hundreds of people always. No chance of swimming a few lengths! But it’s very sociable😊

    • Enna1
      Enna1 linda1718

      Posted

      Hi

      Is your nerve causing you problems with pain. If not don't do anything. I agree with Linda. Surgery may not even take the pain away even if you were in pain. Physio in my opinion is the same. My best friend next door is a physio and she has given me physio off and on for my pain and I have again suffered more pain. Ipi have met 3 surgeons. 2 private...oh yes tgery could do surgery and I would walk out of the hospital without pain. The 3rd one from a teaching hospital told me that it was an extremely dangerous operation. Think about it. If you go private there is money at the end of the op for the surgeon. A national one doesn't get paid that way, and its s case of next one please.

      I have s1 l4\5_ and l3\4. I think its a case of exactly where the damage is on the s1!!!!!

      So you need an MRI to show where the nerve damage is.

      Personally I am 73 and I started this game at least 10 years ago when I was told that I was putting the pain on and was given lots of strong painkillers. I had 2 ops where surgeons "tried their best" one was an experiment I know the other private for decompression on the levels above. I rather suspect that the upper level worked but s1 didn't. So I have had 3 yrs of medication whereby its not very strong in between having cortisone injections 3 times a year. Trouble is you have to space it out as you can only have 3 a year. I have tried physio but its useless especially bthe NHS. What has helped is yoga.

    • linda1718
      linda1718 Enna1

      Posted

      Hi Enna,

      Dont know if you are talking to me or Jeremy.

      I agree with every word you say but I will add that I wish I had never had surgery. I was left taking so much strong painkillers but with my doctors help I have managed to wean myself off Tramadol and best of all I have finally finished with morphine only last week. Yes I’m in an awful lot of pain but I was determined I was going to get these out of my system to try and get back to the person I was before surgery! 

      To anyone else reading this please, please think very carefully about surgery and these painkillers.

      Best of luck to you all.

      Linda x

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