Dear John:
Sorry to hear about your back problem. Without doing the exam, the sounds of the MRI, it does not seem as if surgery should be jumped into as the first thing to try. The only real concerning finding is the "possible" nerve root compromise at L1. Otherwise, although there is some herniation, there is no really bad cord compression. I think the initial route of action would be to find a good rehab specialist and PT and begin that type of rehab. If this fails, then maybe surgery might be warranted.
Yes, incorrect form with heavy squating can do alot of back damage. In addition, bad habits of lifting heavy objects can also play a role in degenerative process. There is the added dietary component and bad genetics or systemic diseases. Unfortunately, having a bad back is not as age related as one might think. However, it does not seem like things are irreversibly worrisome.
CCF Neuro MD
I went to the Neurosurgeon the other day and told me that the spinal cord is not being pinched and therefore he does not think my leg symptoms are related. I would still like to know why my back kills me in the morning when i wake up and disappears after being up for an hour.
My leg has a funny sesation from the knee down to the heal that makes it appear as if i am weak. I also get muscle spasms and twiching in both legs.
He did an exam where he had me walk on my heals and then on the ball of my foot and then jump up and down on one leg on the ball of my foot. He said that was good. He also used the rubber hammer on my knee to test reflexes and said they were symetric. He believes that my leg symptoms are due to Restless Leg Syndrome and gave me some valume for it.
I am now wondering. If I have RLS then should i have blood test done to check for any vitamin deficienties?