Hi Sylvia, i have degenerative disc disease, stenosis, spondylesthesis, had the MRI, but the Cat scan showed more(bone).

The epidurals, have you tried them?..They didn't work for me, i didn't have the sciatica pain going down the leg....we did the physical therapy, and the nuero recommends a fusion with lots of hardware.

I did get a custom back brace made recently, and will try that route

Do you think the knee pain is from the back, or from osteo in the knee?...take care

my husband can't have surgery either.he as many problems.we did 2 back surgeries that helped very little.the epidurals might work for you,try them first.my husband now has a pain pump.it;s implanted under the skin with a line that runs to the spine. it must be filled(no pain,it takes only about 20 minutes)every so often,different for everyone.he goes every 4 to 5 months.it's been so much better for him.they run the line to the spine so that it only helps with the back & leg pain which was driving him crazy.he's had 19 surgeries mostly for his heart.the pain pump was 1 night in the hospital & a refilling a few times a year.A CAKE WALK FOR US.it will need to be replaced(runs on batteries)most last a least 7 years.He likes the pump very well & he has no side affectes from the meds.

Hi Sylvia,

I have osteoarthritis with degenerative spine disease, including lumbar spondylosis (stiffening or fixing of the joints) and central canal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) with nerve root impingement (the narrowing of the spinal canal presses on the nerves). My initial symptoms were pain shooting down the inside of my right leg with severe numbness and weakness of my right leg. Over a 2-year period I had epidurals every 3-6 months, and several sessions of physical therapy with exercises I still do, and I am fortunate that it helped a lot.


Then I began having severe right knee pain and was diagnosed with bursitis of the knee (inflammation of the bursa, the fluid filled sac in the knee). I was started on physical therapy for my knee and prescribed orthotics for my very flat feet.



One of the orthopaedic surgeons I saw told me I needed surgery immediately, but my Pain Management Specialist and my Orthopaedist disagree. They feel my osteoarthritis can be managed conservatively at this point.


I am much, much better, and I am sure the reason is that I started the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) in 2004. I went three times a week. In 2007 I became an AFEP leader and now teach the class three times a week.


I know when we're in pain we can't even begin to envision that exercise will help. From my personal experience and that of fellow participants and now the people I teach, I know that the AFEP exercises truly do help. We leaders are trained to modify exercises for new participants in our programs. I highly suggest that you check with your doctor to see if you are a candidate for the exercise program, and if she/he says yes, that you begin the classes.


If you cannot take the class, check to see if there is an Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program (AFSHP) anywhere near you. I took the program in 1997 for my fibromyalgia, and my pain level went from 7 almost every day down to 1 and 0. I recently trained to be a leader of the AFSHP and will begin teaching it this month.


The Arthritis Foundation has a wealth of information available. Sometimes it's almost overwhelming, especially when we're in pain, to even look for the information we need. You've taken the first step by asking for information on this blog. Keep up the good work.


I'm sorry for such a long post for you to read, but I've had such a good experience with the help of the Arthritis Foundation that I wanted to share it with you.

kateinmo

hiya i have denergerative disc disease, i am 40,had it for 3 years , been through all the processes and now give up , so im having a bone graft , the bottom 2 of my discs are badly worn and causes severe back ache and numb and painfulleg ,especially behide the left knee had nerve root injections but they didnt work at too be honest things are worse now.

Aging is the main culprit for degenerative disc disease. The most common indicator of this disease is chronic lower back pain. For people who have chronic low back pain and degenerative disc disease and want a non surgical approach, spinal decompression may be the answer. Visit here Degenerative Disc Disease Portland, OR

Hi I am 15 and have degenerative disk disease in my lower back. I have lots of lower back pain. I am also diagnosed with epelepsy.So they cannot give me anything for the pain but some non convulsive causing medicine that does not help for the pain. I was wondering if that would require surgery or not.They said i would need it down the line of my life. But i was wondering if i should just get it now that way it is done nad over with and it will help with the pain. what is the best solution for me??

Oh I forgot to mention that my back is affecting my wrestling career. I am a 4 time state champ and I cannot go out on the mat any more without breaking out in tears from the pain.

Degenerative disc disease is a degenerative condition that sometimes can produce pain from a damaged disc. The pain is usually treated conservatively with intermittent heat, rest, rehabilitative exercises and medications, etc. Consult Dr. Spiaggia at Chiropractic Doctor Central New Jersey

I have DDD C6 in my neck. After more than a year of tests and doctors it's looking like surgery is the only option. Does any of this sequence of events sound familiar to you?

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