Find a really good neurosurgeon who does minimally invasive surgery and have her evaluate your situation.

@dunbun13 Degenerative disc disease can mean a lot of different things. Generally speaking with aging, discs dry out a bit and shrink. That can exasperate issues with any damaged discs and lead to herniations. Discs do not have a blood supply and don’t regenerate themselves if damaged. PT may help if weakness or posture is affecting the spine. Often insurance companies want to see PT tried before they will cover surgery. Spine surgery is a major surgery and sometimes when all else fails, it is the right choice. Some people have no symptoms with bad discs. Have you consulted a specialist about your spine ?

Have had DDD for many years, probably related to all the standing and lifting patients - working as a nurse. You do need a good PT who will not only use modalities but also teach you exercises and things to do and not to do. For example, I had considerable difficulty standing at the stove while cooking. My PT taught me the correct way to stand, and what to do if I start to have discomfort. I would also recommend seeing a pain management specialist. They use a step-by-step approach to treatment which I appreciate.

I have had DDD for years and have been in extreme pain for years. Have had PT, injections, back surgery (which speaking for myself, was not a good idea). Recently I went to see a pain management doctor. After hearing my story he recommended a permanent pain stimulator. As for the trial , couldn't expect better my pain was at a 9/10 I was bed ridden and with the pain stimulator my pain went almost completely away. Now I have the permanent stimulator. The recovery process is slow but again very little pain. If I were you I would find out if this device would work for you. Hope you're feeling better soon

Thank you so much, i have heard and read about them, thanks so much for mentioning them,, l had forgot about that device. Praying I don’t have to have surgery.

No it is not a Tensa unit technically I have what is called Eterna Spinal Cord Stimulation System model 3876 made by Abbot Labs. It blocks the pain signals along your spine to your brain. It is controlled by either your phone if compatible or they provide you with one of their phones. You will not necessarily be pain free but my pain literally kept me in bed for years the minute I would stand up my pain would shoot up to an unbearable level. Since having the implant my pain is at a 1 to 3 level I am up and about and able to lead a normal life again it's astounding to me. It is definitely worth trying as I have all the same conditions you listed. Hope this helps!

What I found out is that there are two kinds of PT available. The traditional PT does nothing to help degenerative disc disease. However, neurological PT is far different and has helped me to avoid back surgery.

Although I have been advised by a spine specialist and neurosurgeon to have disc surgery for spondylosis, I have other problems that would be a major problem during surgery. Neurological PT exercises must be done at home to help degenerative disc disease. However, the PT sessions and work at home do improve the pain.

If you are trying to avoid back surgery, this is the alternative!

Good luck!

Thanks for letting me know. After seeing one of my best friends go through the surgery with great difficulty, I postponed my date. It reminds me of knee replacement surgery that I was supposed to have several years ago and also postponed and then didn't go through with it. Some people do well and others don't. Especially, if a person is dealing with other medical challenges. Again, thanks for your advice!

Hi Sherry. Yes I found a good orthopedic surgeon here on Oahu who specializes in scoliosis and had a XLIF surgery on 9/22. My surgery went well (i.e., no complications) but we were both hoping that my numbness might be addressed immediately but sad to say, I still have it. He (and my PCP) said that nerves can take a while to repair. Am hoping and thinking the surgery addressed the lower back pain that I was having on long walks, but it's hard to tell right now since I'm still in recovery mode. Am trying different supplements right now for my nerves and bought magnesium flakes (for foot baths).

Something that really helps me is my osteopath/MD who does various manual treatments…fascial release and cranial-sacral work among them.