Degenerative (adult onset) Scoliosis and arthritis

I have degenerative (adult onset) scoliosis as well as arthritis in my lumbar.
I go in on the 4th for my first L5/S1 facet injections. With any luck I'll have at least a couple of weeks pain free, or as close as I can come to it. Which, in turn, means fewer pain meds. I'm not looking forward to it. If it's anything like the spinal tap - excuse me, LUMBAR PUNCTURE - I'm gonna hate it. Thankfully they offer mild sedation, so bonus on that front.




A quick look at my Xray Does indeed show a very mild curvature to my spine, which seems to cause no discomfort at all in that area. At the bottom of the image, where the spine "ends" is where all of my problems come in to play.

In the eventuality the injections don't work, there's another procedure called Radiofrequency ablasion. During this procedure they seem to go in and "use heat" directly on the overactive nerves. I've heard of people having this done, but when the nerve grew back, it was with a vengeance.

Doea anyone here have/or have had experience in these treatments? I'd love to hear your feedback!



One more edit: I'm a bit naive when it comes to this, and I can't really get any meaningful discord from my doc's. It's infuriating.

a reply to: Slinki

I have had back issues for many years and years ago I had a series of shots for ten weeks, at least one to 3 shots in my back and hips each session. I have been through physical therapy as well and they both helped temporarily and then I was back to the same old pain. I have arthritis, spinal stenosis, nerve damage and other things going on.

I hope you find relief because chronic pain is horrible. I don't even remember what it feels like to be pain free. Without pain meds, I wouldn't be able to function. Good luck to you. I wish you well.

I have something similar to this but its higher on my back. It creates a lot of pain in the winter time for some reason. I wish my parents weren't drug addicts and actually got this fixed for me when I was little.

Anyway. I hope you feel better. Have you seen the surgeries to correct these types of things in adults? It's completely barbaric. I took pain meds at one point for it so that I could sleep better... I found that sleeping while not feeling pain meant I slept all messed up and would wake up in pain... and then eventually I was taking pain meds in the morning to treat it. Needless to say, I was eventually in a downward spiral with pain meds and just cut them out of my life entirely.

Keeping your core strong with workouts helps prevent further curving and injuries.

originally posted by: Night Star
a reply to: Slinki

I have had back issues for many years and years ago I had a series of shots for ten weeks, at least one to 3 shots in my back and hips each session. I have been through physical therapy as well and they both helped temporarily and then I was back to the same old pain. I have arthritis, spinal stenosis, nerve damage and other things going on.

I hope you find relief because chronic pain is horrible. I don't even remember what it feels like to be pain free. Without pain meds, I wouldn't be able to function. Good luck to you. I wish you well.

Thank you Night Star. This is one of the reason I brought it here. Hoping to run into real actual people that have been in similar situations. I am starting to feel like I can't get through a day without pain meds, but I feel I have to ry something. Even if it's tempoary relative to pain meds 4x a day everyday.

originally posted by: Fehrie
I have something similar to this but its higher on my back. It creates a lot of pain in the winter time for some reason. I wish my parents weren't drug addicts and actually got this fixed for me when I was little.

Anyway. I hope you feel better. Have you seen the surgeries to correct these types of things in adults? It's completely barbaric. I took pain meds at one point for it so that I could sleep better... I found that sleeping while not feeling pain meant I slept all messed up and would wake up in pain... and then eventually I was taking pain meds in the morning to treat it. Needless to say, I was eventually in a downward spiral with pain meds and just cut them out of my life entirely.

Keeping your core strong with workouts helps prevent further curving and injuries.

This is kind of where I am now. Taking pain meds before bed, wallering around all night and then waking up in agony.
My family doctor wanted to refer me to a surgeon right away in an effort to brace it to slow progresion. Unfortunately, not in the cards. My problem isn't the curvature. It's what's happening in my lower back due to the curvature, as well as a couple of accidents.

a reply to: Slinki

Proper exercise oriented physical therapy might more or less alleviate painful symptoms. The deep stabilizing muscles around the spine, the multifidi, will help reduce pain if properly strong.

Is it arthritis or osteoarthritis that you suffer from? The two are different from eachother where arthritis is inflammation of the joints while osteoarthritis is the degeneration of protective tissue.

As a physiotherapist, my advise would be to strengthen your back and core to help in any future or current problems you might have. Be warned that it will almost certainly be a life long process depending on how actively you train and how aware you become of your bodily pain signals.

PS

I've starred all of you, but for some reason they aren't sticking...
Irritating.
So, in my heart, you all receive stars.

originally posted by: mikkelno
a reply to: Slinki

Proper exercise oriented physical therapy might more or less alleviate painful symptoms. The deep stabilizing muscles around the spine, the multifidi, will help reduce pain if properly strong.

Is it arthritis or osteoarthritis that you suffer from? The two are different from eachother where arthritis is inflammation of the joints while osteoarthritis is the degeneration of protective tissue.

As a physiotherapist, my advise would be to strengthen your back and core to help in any future or current problems you might have. Be warned that it will almost certainly be a life long process depending on how actively you train and how aware you become of your bodily pain signals.

Just arthritis. Lot's of degeneration. I am starting PT in a couple weeks at the request of both my Pain doc and my neuro.
I pray that it gets me at least halfway back to normal. I don't even really remember what "normal" feels like anymore.

a reply to: Slinki

I gave everyone a star for you. I wish you the best. My brother has arthritis that I can't pronounce. He has had hip and ankle and knee surgeries. He can barely walk but he doesn't let it stop him from doing things he has always loved. Be strong.

a reply to: Slinki

So with degeneration you must mean osteoarthritis? your cartilage has been broken down?

Just be sure to get plenty of exercises for the back and core - the core being important for lifting and carrying.
And do remember to do the exercises at home as well. The few weekly visits at th PT wont be the thing that makes you progress the most - it will be the exercises you do at home that really counts!

a reply to: Tarzan the apeman.

Thank you, star fairy!
I'm sorry about your brother, but kudos to him for keepin' on!
I'm starting to work on my own issues and will hopefully be as close to my old self as possible!

a reply to: mikkelno

None of my docs have actually said "Osteoarthritis". But I wouldn't be surprised. Getting actual info from them is like pulling teeth!

a reply to: Slinki

My heart goes out to you. I'm not sure if this will help but it took several clinic hopping trails to find the right clinic that treated me as a human and not a holding tank assembly line. Everyone is different and the shots can either be nothing or extremely painful. Myself, I found the shots excruciating only because the cartilage is gone from my joints and so they really have to find the right position to get the needle in before injection.

This is not to scare you, only to inform you because I had to find out through trial and error. They will give you a numbing injection. And, I'm speaking from being a Canadian and so there is no cost, but I now ask for extra numbing and I now suffer no discomfort. The procedure is fast, professional and I can relax. And eat something before you go. I almost passed out and threw up during one shot as my blood sugars plummeted (and I had eaten a banana prior). These are things I would tell anyone going in so you are as informed (and your own advocate) and prepared as possible. You are going to do fine I will pray for you for healing in all areas.

a reply to: Slinki

I think osteoarthritis might be a less known diagnosis (the name anyways) as it combines two latin words, osteo (bone) and arthritis (joint disease). It all depends on the doctor and his ability to explain it in non-mddical terms, which is somewhat of a rare case if you ask me.

But I will wager you it's osteoarthritis if there's degeneration of joint cartilage. It will alter the treatment for the PT.

Anyways I hope you get back to an acceptable level. Keep at it!

a reply to: Slinki

When you go for your injection ask what they see on your records. They will tell you straight up. I found out I have a malformed ball and socket. I am going to have a hip replacement in Sept., or Oct.

I saw a sports medicine specialist a year ago and he told me I had to learn to live with the pain and there's no way I needed a hip replacement. I finally got in to see a hip and knee clinic and am told I have the hip of a 99 year old woman (I'm 53) and he took one look at my X-ray and has me going through the pre-surgery steps right now to prepare for the surgery. I can't walk, bend, put on socks, clip my nails - I just sit like a lump on the couch due to the pain. The bones "click clack" every time I move and it has led to issues in my knee and shin bone. Only sharing to let anyone reading this that you must, must, must pursue your own health. And unfortunately, this is the sixth health issue that they have tried to slough off on and tell me it's nothing and I have to learn to live with the pain. You know inside your gut, and by what your body telling you if something isn't right. I do not trust any doctors. Read up and become as knowledgeable about your health concern as possible. And talk to others if you find someone who has struggled as well - you will gain a boatload of helpful info.

All the best!

a reply to: Slinki
I had neck surgery 1 year ago (ACDF C5-C7). I found that getting copies of all of the radiology reports (from my xray & MRIs) was extremely helpful in educating myself. I've learned that knowledge is absolutely power when it comes to spine issues.

a reply to: Slinki

A lot of white.. Ribs ( thoracic ) look at those ribs.
Fighting the Flu.. ( I'm sick )
Good news.. my lumbar is worse..

Edit:
This picture represents greater than 15 years. I feel safe saying 25 years plus. Nooooo doubt in my mind you have discomfort. 😑

a reply to: Slinki

I have a similar issue, in fact by the sounds of your description I have the same issue, best you can do is keep that core strong, everytime you move hold the core, be conscious of it. I've done so much damage to the area even getting up from the couch or leaning forward while doing dishes at the sink sets it off.

I've know a guy that had the nerves burnt out but seeing him after I wouldn't personally get that done, the risk of causing further damage is far too high, the nerves are there as a protective ,having them removed is risky.

Good luck I hope you find a solution , and please let us know if you do...

a reply to: ccseagull

Thank you for this information and your well wishes.
I pray I don't have to guinea pig numerous clinicions techniques before I find something that works, let alone several methods from one clinicion. I have a fairly low tolerance to pain (chalk me up as a wussy girl) but on the other side of that coin I have a fairly high tolerance to many medications.
It's cruel, really. LOL
But the bottom line is that I am willing to do whatever it takes to get as close to a tolerably comfortable life.

originally posted by: ad1220
a reply to: Slinki
I had neck surgery 1 year ago (ACDF C5-C7). I found that getting copies of all of the radiology reports (from my xray & MRIs) was extremely helpful in educating myself. I've learned that knowledge is absolutely power when it comes to spine issues.

I had no problems acquiring my imaging from the doc regarding the xRays of my back, but I seem to be having an incredibly difficult time retaining copies of my MRI's from my Neuro.
Must be more forceful, I guess.