Tilted vertebrae between L4 & L5 ???

[kidsnchicks]

I went to the orthopedic doctor on Friday and x-rays showed that I am tilted between L4 & L5.  Have any of you exenced this?  The doctor recommended physical theropy but stated that I will most likely required surgery later in life.  I have pain and discomfort that varies, as though I have a pinched nerve.  I have also noticed that stress increases my symptoms.  I have recently been diagnosed with Graves' Disease and I feel that is adding to the situation.  Just looking for input from somebody that might be experienced with this.  TIA!

[MrsSinger]

Hi,

My name is Miranda and it seems that we a little bit in common. I had an MRI a few months ago because i was having severe pain in my lower back, and some pain going down my legs, along with numbness in my feet. I found out that I also have DDD (degenerative disc disease). I have had 3 epidural steroid injections that have not helped. I have already went through one month of physical therapy and that did not help either. I went to a orthopedic spine surgeon and he said I dont need surgery keep trying the shots. He really did not make me feel that he wanted to help AT ALL. Since I have been having this much pain for almost a year im scared that I will need surgery one day. I am only 22 years old and I have no idea what or why this is happening to me. Before my MRI I did go see a chiropractor but I didnt get a good vibe from him so I stopped seeing him. After my MRI i went to see another Chiropractor that offered a free consultation about Disc Decompression. It was a machine that I heard worked. Well come to find out it was like 5000.00 for a treatment and I cant afford that, and it sounded a little crazy. I recently went to another Chiropractor and I feel like I have found someone who actually cares and is working hard to help me. He told me I have a tilted vertebrae above my two bulging discs and my hips are unaligned so he is trying to adjust that to help. It took about two weeks and I finally saw improvement. I have been on pain meds for almost a year and it terrifies me to be on them any longer. I have went through withdrawls and it is NOT fun. My chiropractor just recently started PT on me again and his stretches are much harder to do than the first PT i was seeing. The stretches I am doing now also feel like they are targeting the area much better.  I see it has been a while since you have posted, but I hope you are doing better.

[kidsnchicks]

Thank you for all of the information.  I'm sorry its been so long since I replied.  Lets just say life is busy.  I go in to see my orthopedic doc tomorrow morning.  I have not actually been able to do any physical therapy.  I plan to talk with him about that.  There are good days and bad days.  For the most part I can handle the pressure/tightness in my lower back.  Its when it affects my legs that I have lots of trouble.  I've noticed it being worst when I wear high heeled shoes (which I try not to do very often) and when I am lifting something heavy (even a 2 liter bottle of liquid).   It starts off feeling as though my lower back is being squeezed and then there is numbness and/or tightness going down my legs and there is no comfortable position to be found.  When I was in before, he did mention arthritic enflamation/feelings and suggested I take 800mg Ibuprofin for relief.  It doesn't always help.  I'm hoping to get a copy of my diagnoses.

Are there questions that I might need to ask or information that I might need to know that I may not be thinking of?  Thanks again.

[kittyluv1]

A "slipped disc" is the term associated with the intervertebral disc (cushion between the vertebrae which protects the spine during movement).  When the outer covering of the intervertebral disc degenerates as seen in arthritic changes of the spine, a portion of the nucleus will extrude through the protective covering and potentially cause nerve irritation or compression of the adjacent nerve root.
Spondylolisthesis is more related to the alignment of the spine and occurs when one vertebra slips/tilts over an adjacent vertebra.  This can also cause interference with nerve tissue, but the process is different.
I would recommend that you check this website for assistance in performing exercises:
   www.medumich.edu and place "spondylolisthesis/rehab" in the search box.
It will bring up a list of articles regarding this condition,  Click on the first item on the list and it will bring up an instructional sheet (with illustrations) to guide you in the appropriate exercises recommended.
Hope it helps ----

[kidsnchicks]

Thanks so much for the information.  Correct me if I am wrong but it sounds like this technical medical term sounds like what is commonly called a slipped disc?  Are you familiar with this situation or just knowledgable of the spine?

Yes, I am having my thyroid issues (Graves' Disease) treated but it is a slow and long process.  

I received a call today from the therapist's office.  It might not be a possibility for me to do therapy ($$).  Do you know where I can find information on "exercises" that I can do on my own to help relieve the discomfort?  Thanks so much!

[kittyluv1]

Actually, it is both degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis (tilting).  The DDD diagnosis is a broad category and includes most arthritic changes to the spine including disc herniations and bone spurs.
The term spondylolisthesis is the medical term that describes the slipping of one vertebra over the adjacent vertebra and is more descriptive of the process by which the spine is altered in alignment.
The doctor's office might be reluctant to give you "too much" medical jargon for fear of your not comprehending the terms. If you have a copy of any of the medical reports from his consultation and examination, it would be helpful for you to post the findings and we could help review them for you and translate into more understandable language.
Tilting is a "slang" reference and really doesn't give you much to relate to your symptoms.  The only other form of "tilting" would be an altered alignment of the spine secondary to scoliosis (unlikely) or muscle spasm (possible).
Let me know ---

[kidsnchicks]

Thank you so much for the information.  I will research it.  After I received your message, I called my doctor and asked if he had given a "medical term" for my situation and the nurse told me it was Degenerative Disc Disease.  At this point, I have not found the symptoms I am having do not line up with his diagnoses.  He did tell me point blank that I was tilted.  With that said, I feel that the information you have shared is more likely to be my situation.  The nurse did say they were similar but slightly different.  Any experience with this, to help me understand more clearly which it is?  Thanks again!!!

[kittyluv1]

The tilting is called spondylolesthesis and can be quite painful depending on the extent.
It might be helpful for you to check the website www.spine-health.com and search for the word as indicated above.
It should provide you with additional information regarding this diagnosis and also some videos which can illustrate how this shifting of the vertebrae can affect you.
It will also provide additional information regarding treatment options if physical therapy does not provide significant relief of your symptoms.
Stress and your thyroid problems are definitely contributing factors and hopefully you are addressing these issues as well.
Post again with an update and keep us informed of your progress. Let us know if there are any specific issues you need to discuss.
Best wishes ----