| I'm looking into the possibility of having a disc replacement. I have two degenerative discs with lots of pain that never goes away. What happens if the disc doesn't work or wears out? | 6 years 37 weeks ago | 256 |
| Is there any way to determine nerve problems from my low back other than having a nerve conduction study? | 5 years 6 weeks ago | 256 |
| I've had two lumbar discs removed and need another. Is there a disc replacement available yet? | 8 years 50 weeks ago | 257 |
| I've been in treatment for a back problem for about six weeks now. I feel like I'm about the same, but my wife says she sees some progress. Is there any way to keep track of my results more objectively? | 9 years 11 weeks ago | 257 |
| I'm looking for an exercise program to help with my low back pain. So far it seems like everything I've tried just makes me worse. What can you suggest? | 5 years 13 weeks ago | 257 |
| My wife is going to have a lumbar spinal fusion with titanium mesh cages. Afterward, she will wear a brace. What’s the brace for and how long is this needed? | 7 years 50 weeks ago | 258 |
| I've just taken over the management of a garbage collection agency. There have been many back injuries on the job this year. What can I do to reduce this? | 7 years 40 weeks ago | 258 |
| I'm on worker's compensation for a work-related back injury. The doctor’s report mentions disability and impairment. What's the difference between these two things? | 10 years 10 weeks ago | 258 |
| I've read a couple reports that low back pain is common in adults of all ages. Since I'm an active adult and very athletic will I be spared this kind of problem? | 8 years 9 weeks ago | 258 |
| I'm planning to have a radiofrequency procedure on my spine. What are the chances something can go wrong? | 8 years 46 weeks ago | 258 |
| I've been told I have osteoporosis throughout my spine from smoking. I'm trying to quit smoking, but it's very hard. Even though I still smoke, would exercise help my back? | 8 years 50 weeks ago | 258 |
| I've had back pain off and on for the last six months. The doctor can't find anything wrong and has strongly advised me to exercise. How can I exercise when my back hurts? | 9 years 11 weeks ago | 258 |
| I've heard that more and more doctors are treating chronic low back with spinal fusion. Is this true? And is it really the best treatment? | 9 years 15 weeks ago | 258 |
| I'm 65-years old and feel like the replacement man. I've got dentures, a total knee replacement, and a fake eye because of macular degeneration. Now I see they have disc replacements for the spine. Is that another thing I can expect to see in my lifetime? | 7 years 19 weeks ago | 258 |
| Tomorrow I see my physical therapist for the third time this week. My problem is a very painful low back. She wants me to take a fear beliefs survey. I guess I must be fearful because I'm afraid to take the test. What can you tell me about the test? | 7 years 14 weeks ago | 258 |
| My doctor wants me to have a diskography test before having surgery for a disc problem. The test is supposed to show if the disc is really the problem. I've been told the test itself is painful. Are there any after effects? | 7 years 11 weeks ago | 258 |
| I'm seeing a physical therapist for another bout of low back pain. I see in the clinic there are groups of patients exercising together who also have back pain. Once I'm done with PT do I progress to the group? | 7 years 10 weeks ago | 258 |
| I've been labelled a chronic pain patient. After six months of treatment and rehab, my back pain is no better. I'm looking at surgery as my next option. Are there any statistics on how low back pain patients like me do after surgery? | 7 years 7 weeks ago | 258 |
| I'm a little more than worried about myself. Four months ago I had a work-related injury. I still have low back and leg pain. Some days it's very severe. Other days it's milder. The doctor expected the pain to go away with healing and says healing has taken place now. Could I still get better? Or is this "as good as it gets"? | 7 years 7 weeks ago | 258 |
| My 36-year old grandson seems to have as much back pain as I do. At 89, I have spinal stenosis that hurts like a son-of-a-gun. If he's this bad off now, what's he going to be like at my age? | 7 years 1 week ago | 258 |
| I've had back pain off and on for two years. Lately it has started to get worse. I saw my doctor who put me on some medications and gave me a booklet to read. How is reading anything going to help me? | 6 years 46 weeks ago | 258 |
| My doctor thinks the low back pain I've been having is the result of deconditioning. What kind of exercise program should I do to get back in shape? | 6 years 42 weeks ago | 258 |
| I've been off work with low back pain for the last six weeks. I'm better now but not pain free. How do I know when it's safe to go back to work? | 6 years 42 weeks ago | 258 |
| I'm very distressed because I hurt my back at work two weeks ago and I'm not getting better. My wife says I'm just making myself worse worrying about it. Can stress over an injury really keep me from getting better? | 6 years 34 weeks ago | 258 |
| Is there any way to predict recovery from back pain. This is my second episode of low back pain. The first time it only lasted five days. This time it's been five weeks, and I'm still not better. What are the signs that I will get better? | 6 years 34 weeks ago | 258 |
| I've been taking oxycodone for low back pain for six months now. My pain is not better but it's not worse. The doctor wants to wean me off the drug because it's not helping. I think they are helping. How can I convince my doctor to let me stay on this drug? | 6 years 6 weeks ago | 258 |
| My best friend and I have almost exactly the same symptoms but two different problems. She has numbness and tingling in her feet from diabetes. I have the same kind of feeling but it's from stenosis. She's been taking a new drug called Neurontin and it seems to be helping her. Would this same drug help me? | 5 years 52 weeks ago | 258 |
| My favorite aunt is bed-ridden due to a fracture in her spine caused by osteoporosis. She's been in the hospital a week and they are transferring her to a rehab unit. What are her chances for recovery? | 5 years 49 weeks ago | 258 |
| I'm going to have an artificial disc replacement at L45. I've heard terrible stories about surgery like where the patient's wrong foot was amputated. Can anything like that happen during this kind of surgery? I'm a little nervous about it. | 5 years 49 weeks ago | 258 |
| I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I had spinal fusion four years ago at the L45 level for a large herniated disc. After the operation, I had much more back pain than before the surgery. It lasted months and months before finally going away. Now I need another level fused. I hate the thought of facing the surgery and postoperative back pain. Any suggestions? | 5 years 48 weeks ago | 258 |
