Protrusion, extrusion and degeneration at L5-S1? I'm 24.

Listen to your surgeon...tell him to explain exactly what they would do if you decide to operate.  I suffered for 5 years to the point I couldn't walk 20 paces without being in excrutiating pain.  I had spinal decompression on my L4 L5 and disk respair & fusion on Nov 25 so i'm still recovering.  The recovery takes a long time but I'm hoping that this surgery was worth it.  

Hi stormynight, I would try phyiscal therapy first you can also get injections in your back to help with pain, I first would try others things before considering surgery.

I have had two total hip replacements surgerys my last one was Oct 2013 which I got sciatic nerve damage from thats the chance we take when we have surgerys. I also had MRI that showed Bulging disc L4 and L5 I had had epidural injections and phyiscal therapy . Phyiscal therapy has helped but still in pain Sciatic nerve damage is very painful. You are so young I would try physical therapy might really help you out . Im 48 had to stop working and on disability for 2 years . I hope you get some relief.

Take care let me know how your doing

Jackie

I was young when my problems begun. I was 25 pretty much same thing but I got hurt at work sitting on a concrete floor, I am now going to be 45 in two days, had everything possible til my disc exploded and I had emergency surgery than year later a fusion S1 L5 and its been a heck of a journey like you I was active but not no more, I know it sounds like alot but with the technology you should be back to yourself, hang in there, I know the pain your having. Stay strong and positive. Keep us posted on everything

Cynthia ( cindy)

Hi, All of this sounds very possible. If you can, go see a neurologist - not the neurosurgeon. A neurosurgeon is going to recommend surgery. All of the terms you have mentioned sound familiar. I hadn't heard the term fissured, so I just looked it up on the internet, and this is unbelievable, but I found an article written by my neurosurgeon. Dr. Amrani. I googled fissured disc and I got an entire article. It's also called an annular tear - the same as fissured. This honestly sounds very serious. I would not be surprised if you end up with a fusion from L4-S1. I had a fusion from L2-S1. From personal experience, the tricky part is the healing of L5-S1. It's right at the bottom of your spine where you sit and bend the most. My fusion has failed twice. If you have to have a fusion, make sure you get a good neurosurgeon. I had an orthosurgeron, that was part of the problem. Google him/her for patient feedback, and see what patients say.  After the fusion, you'll have to wear a bone stimulator for an hour a day for months.  It's very veryimportant to follow that regimen in order for the fusion to heal. Also, avoid BLT like the plage - BENDING, LIFTING, uh... I forgot what the T stands for, but they will tell you what it is. Sorry to be blunt, but You will be off work for several months.  Good luck to you..

Here's the first paragraph of the article. The author is Dr. Jacob Amrani, a neurosurgeon in Scottsdale, AZ

"What is a Disc Tear?

A disc or annular-tear (or fissure) represents a degenerative or traumatic change in an interveterbral disc1. These tears involve separations or breaks in the fibers comprising the annulus fibrosus, or the fibrous outer-most portion of an intervertebral disc. These fibers run radially (outward from the center), transversely (lying across), and concentrically (circularly, progressively more distant from the center), much like the layers of an onion. Together they form layers of fibrous tissue that surround the internal portions of the disc.

A disc tear is distinct from disc degeneration or disc herniation (a slipped disc) 1. When portions of the annulus fibrosus tear, the integrity of the disc becomes compromised; this can cause pathology such as bulging, prolapsed and more which can compress local structures. However, it is not until the tear completely opens a channel for the innermost substance to leave the disc entirely that a herniation has occurred.

Disc tears can result in back pain, which has been estimated to affect between 12-35% of the population in the western world. Tears can be a result of disc degeneration and can result in subsequent herniation7. Tears and disc degeneration can begin to accumulate very early; one study estimates that 20% of teens have mildly degenerated discs. This degeneration increases with age, especially in males. It’s important to note than degeneration does not necessarily imply a pathologic process, or that trauma is a prerequisite1. While trauma can cause tearing, many of these disc tears are merely the result of aging. It is equally important to note that while disc tears may cause pain, they are often asymptomatic."

Hi Stormy night,

Im 24 and have Spondylolisthesis in my L5-S1 and it's a nightmare. I've suffered with this pain for nearly two years all because of a little accident at my old job. I'm so happy for you that the doctors have been quick to get you looked at as my doctors were very stubborn at first saying it was just muscle aches!!! After an MRI in Dec 2014 they found my L5 BONE to have slipped away from my spine but insisted that taking Tramadol, Paracetamol and Gabapentin would help (I'm now addicted to these and probably will never come off them), go forward to now and at the lovely age of 24 I am losing control of my bladder which has now kicked the doctors into gear and last night I had my 2nd MRI so hopefully we will find something else and they will do a little more.

I've always been told that if you can avoid surgery then to avoid it as there are lots of things that may go wrong. But in my experience both physio and acupuncture have done nothing for me! I know how frustrating it is as I wad in the same boat as you. I was a lifeguard and had 6 months off work until the Dr's told me I could no longer do that job so I now work in an office. As hard as it is try to keep your chin up, listen to everything that they offer you and then do some googling. I hope they find you an answer quicker than they have with me!!