L4/L5 hernited disc and degeneration

[crazycrow]

I have L4/L5 herniated disc, confirmed by MRI, physios were convinced I would need surgery but lost a bit of weight, had acupuncture and now just live with it as pain intermittent. I have recently restarted horse riding and my right leg is noticably weaker,(i still have semi-numb big toe) but the biggest problem is when getting off the horse I seem to lose all use of my legs and I collapse. It looks quite funny to watch apparently but it hurts and cant be doing my back any good Can anyone suggest what I should do for my silly leg now, and am I making the situationn worse by riding?

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[iliastolos]

Hi crazycrow!
Having neurological deficits (numbness and weakness), persisting after conservative treatment for a long time, means that surgery might be necessary to decompress neural tissue.
Nerves are very sensitive tissues and to be specific they are 'blood thirsty'. They need blood to function and when blood flow is disrupted, symptoms appear immediately. Numbness of the big toe is a neurological sign, meaning that the nerve's blood flow is disrupted anywhere in its route from the low back to the toe. You also have muscle weakness, meaning that you have motor disruption as well. Unless the cause of nerve compression is treated successfully, the nerve won't recover by its own. If conservative treatment fails to eliminate symptoms, then surgery might be needed. It must be said that one has to be certain that the area of nerve compression is at the low back, where the surgery will be held. For example, having a spondylodesis at the L4-L5 level when the nerve is not compressed there but somewhere else (e.g. at the gluteus - random example), then the problem won't be solved. That's why some surgeries fail. It's because the low back was not the cause despite a disc herniation.
What you should do immediately is to visit an MD again to have you examined, make suggestions on ways of treatment and then visit your physios to have them assess you again. Doing any sport won't make any difference, either positive or negative. What you have is very serious because the nerve might never recover if you do nothing. The nerve is compressed and decompression must be done ASAP.
Looking forward to hearing from you when you have any news.
ilias

[crazycrow]

thanks - i have been back to the Dr who is sending me for an MRI as she seems concerned more about the collapsing than the pain - i want to avoid surgery at all costs so hoping that the MRI may show some form of physio will work....

[crazycrow]

hi
I have had MRI, dr says there is significant degeneration and some prolaspe of the L4/L5 disc, she has arranged physio appointment for monday to see if they can do anything, she said if not I will need to go and see specialist....

[Josephine]

Sometimes you just can't avoid surgery. If the disc is badly herniated, it needs to be removed. The surgery is very small these days, we call it micro-discectomy! But I agree with iliastolos, it needs to be done sooner rather than later whilst you have a chance of restoring good function.

[crazycrow]

Hi thanks for reply, have started physio twice a week, with a 3rd yr student under supervision, tehy seem hopeful that it could improve - I have been doing core strengthening exercises - my tummy muscles now hurt too!! But thats fine if it works!! Having untrasound and some gentle spinal manipulations, so fingers crossed....