23 May 2003 - back pain

[arcticpenguin]

In the section on back pain and chiropracty, Dave Nesbitt mentions that he felt let down by his GP and medical science over the lack of treatments for his problem.

A new treatment is coming for one fairly common cause of back pain - herniated disks. http://www.startribune.com/stories/1556/3892702.html

Artificial discs have long been used in Europe but remain experimental in this country. Two major studies nearing completion could change that: For the first time, scientists will know just how such implants compare to the only other alternative patients like Rice have had - major surgery to fuse together two vertebrae in the lower back.

Preliminary results are promising enough that doctors expect one artificial back disc to be on the U.S. market as early as next year.


Since I myself herniated a disk a few years ago and suffer from occasional symptoms, I took particular interest in reading about this development.

[No Answers]

My mother has this problem and is awaiting the surgery.

She's in constant pain. Mostly in her left leg though. She has been on her ass for most of a year now.

I hope this surgery is available soon!

[arcticpenguin]

I was in pain every day for about a year and a half. Then the symptoms went away without treatment. (I believe stopping the list of exercises for 'weak backs' given to my by the HMO's physician helped a lot). I've been OK since then, except for occasional episodes, some of them just recently. I currently do not feel a need for the disc implant procedure, but it's reassuring to know it will be there if I ever do need it.

I have never been to a chiropractor. My sister took her daughter to a chiropractor after a trampoline accident, and get this - she was diagnosed as having one leg longer than the other. Yes, I know you're shocked.