disc prolapse L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1

I am a 31 year old female who has just been discharged from hospital after 8 days with a diagnosis of 3 prolapsed discs, L3, L4,and L5. L5 being the largest prolapse and pressing on the right S1 and S2 nerves. In English my understanding of this is that i have got 3 slipped discs which, one of which is pressing on a nerve and causing sciatica???

My main pain is intense pain in middle lower back with pain and sometimes weakness radiating to right leg.

I have been told that everyones recovery is different and that once recovered from this episode that I may never suffer again or I could be unfortunate and suffer for the rest of my life (Who knows).

Has anyone got any experiences that they would be happy to share (good or bad) following their return to work after a prolapsed disc.

I know it is early days ( only discharged yesterday), and I have initially been given a note for work for 4 weeks with a follow up appointment and physio intervention. But my main concern is that I work in a care home for older people and it is no doubt a heavy job.

My main question is do I return to work when i feel able???, I love my job and it is all I have ever done, or do I need to accept that it is the wrong kind of job that is only going to aggravate and cause my problem to re occur???

Is it time for a career change??? My brain has been on overdrive considering all the possible jobs ( I could have kept a career advisor in work for a week).

Any opinions and experiences to share would be greatly appreciated from fellow sufferers.

Professional opinions also greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dear Milesy;

I saw your post while I was searching about disc problems as I have a problem in my L5/S1 disc - disc protrusion - I have done 2 MRI's (three years ago - and three months ago)
I have to say that I am in a situation like you one in some way - I have switched my job (actually) developed my job from a site engineer to a design engineer - sitting for 10 or 11 hours to the computer disk (couple of years ago) - and now I am in my long sick leave (it is even unpaid).

I am fine now after treatment - no pain or very little pain (no need to take any medications for that ) - but that because I am not doing that type of effort.

I have a post that explained my past pain experience - and I was a semi-disabled one.

I am not a doctor or physio - but I have visited two - very professional orthoppedic surg. (MD holders) - they both expressed that surgery is the last treatment option according to my criteria - and they should give other treatments : medications, physio, weight loss, ... enough time - at least 6-8 weeks.

From my own experince - you can recover completely - but take care - you have to handle your back problem with care - do exrecises (prescribed to you by a physio) - do weight loss (if you are over weight) - follow your doctor advice.

Finally, needless to say - if you have an opportunity to find a more suitable job to your back and I mean it : suitable for your back - go for it. This is not only for the current situation - it is for the next 20 yaers - when you're 50+.

Hope that I was able to help.

Regards

Ashraf

As an individual who works day in and day out with back pain, I would have to say that yes, your job is likely going to put significant stress on your back. Yes, it would be ideal to change career tracks. No, this is not your ONLY solution. There are plenty of exercises and therapies that can keep your back strong and help you stay pain free for a prolonged period of time - I personally will be going on 5 years since my car accident that left me with 2 disc prolapses and one possible herniation. The key is maintenance. A properly trained back and core can handle almost any load you put on it, and if you can find a well trained physio that can tailor you a proper regime to protect your back, you should be able to do anything you want. Yes, there are always people who never fully recover, but going in fearing that is setting yourself up for failure - the strongest predictor of success in therapy is the belief that you will get better. Research has proven that time and time again. Get the proper physio program and you will likely get better. To ensure future success, get connected to a kinesiologist afterwards to work out a maintenance program that will ensure you don't get re-injured.

Therapy has a much higher success rate over surgery, and any orthopaedic surgeon worth their degree will tell you this also. Good luck with your situation!

K

Healthy Pain Free Lifestyle

Milesy

I am 26 and currently being treated for L5/S1 disc prolapse plus the four above protruding. I understand that you feel your job may put pressure on your back.
However,
My back was actually damaged from an office job I did when I was 16!
I am a manager of a care home for older people, and I have worked in care for the last seven years. As somebody with back trouble, I feel very strongly about lifting and my staff never lift. I have actually formally disciplined staff who I have caught lifting! I'm sure if you explained to your employer about your situation they would also reassure you that, if you follow procedure, you will not risk further damage. If your employers are expecting you to lift then you have the right to refuse. I'm sure you're aware of the Manual Handling Operations Act and which maneouvres are illegal.

If you stay positive, you will find you feel a lot better :)

Hi Milsey, I was delighted to find this thread as i am in the same postion I'm 26 and out of work for nearly a yr (unpaid since Oct) i'm going for surgery but I'm afraid of going back to work because I also work in care of the elderly. I'm wondering did you return to work? and if so how has it affected your back? I really appreciate feedaback on this as I'm currently in caught between a rock and a hard place both with my back and my finances. Thank you.

I agree with kinactive; once healed and instructed on proper body mechanics you have a chance to continue working with decreased risk of reinjury; the main question is whether you can physically keep good body mechanics while working; HUGE kudos to Gembob for nixing lifting in his workplace - more the exception than the rule unfortunately; My recommendation for you is to learn how to minimize posterior disc pressure before attempting to return to work; go over with your physio body mechanics and practice job simulated activites done the correct way; get fit like you never have before and when you are alone and faced with a two person lifting situation...get the second person!! :)

Hi There my name is Hasan Ali and im 23.
i have been suffering from back pain for almost 2 years now last from 3 or 4 weeks i have pain in my right leg i went to the doc he said to me to have a MRI.
what MRI says is.'' there are multilevel areas of disc is a region of disc herniation at L45 and L5S1 region with the disc at L45 having a central and bilateral para central component with bilateral neural tissue compression.
the disc at L5S1 is having central and right sided component with right sided compression to nerve root.
now doc suggest me to go down for a surgery but i don't wanna do that i just want to have your opinion what should i do in this situation plz guide me further
thanksssss