I'm in excruciating pain!The scoliosis and spine surgeon said I have a vertebrae on a vertabrae. What is that?!
Question: I'm in excruciating pain!The scoliosis and spine surgeon said I have a vertebrae on a vertabrae. What is that.?
Answers:
Joan... The vertebrae are the many individual bones in the spinal column. Each vertebra is normally separated from the adjacent vertebrae by a disk of soft cartilage through which the spinal nerves come out from the spinal cord on their way to muscles. The bones do not normally touch. If a disk cartilage degenerates, it begins to collapse and pinch the nerve in between. If the collapse is great enough then the vertebrae on top and below a space (intervertebral) can touch and form what you or your surgeon call "a vertebra on a vertebrae" pressing against the nerve and producing "excruciating" pain. Your surgeon and you need to discuss ways to treat this condition. From now on remember that the surgeon works for you and is responsible for answering your medical questions in a way you can understand.Health Question & Answer
It means the upper vertebra has slipped either forward or backward on top of the lower vertebra. This closes down the openings where the major nerves exit the spinal column and you experience, as you say, excruciating pain. Sometimes it is called spondylolisthesis. You should be on pain meds and anti-inflamatories.
If it is your lower back, don't lie on your back unless your legs are elevated by two or more pillows. When lying on your side, slip a pillow between your knees. One at your back and one to hold also help. You may find yourself curving in to a fetal position to ease the pain. Do the gentle stretching exercises your doctor should have provided.
Drugs like Vicodin and Darvocet affect your whole body and may make you fuzzy headed. Lyrica works on the pain centers of your brain AND the spinal column without leaving your brain dead. When I was taken off my pain meds for 3 months, Lyrica helped the constant lower back pain.
Depending on your age, the doctor might suggest a spinal fusion. There are all sorts of issues with such surgery. See a neurosurgeon because they deal with the nerves which are causing you so much pain. There are alternatives. You have to ask questions and be your own advocate.
Good luck to you. Try to take time every hour to relax your entire body, lift your spine to straighten it and open up space, and don't hold your breath--belly breathe instead.
If you must stand, be sure one foot is elevated to relieve some pressure on the back. If you have to sit, get up and move around every 20 minutes. Put your hands on your desk and slowly push your chair back, lowering your spine, but keeping your head in line. Hold and breath, then gently return to your original position. Get some stretching books from the PL. See a massage therapist, a physiatrist, a sports med. doctor. Whatever it takes to feel well.Health Question & Answer
If it is your lower back, don't lie on your back unless your legs are elevated by two or more pillows. When lying on your side, slip a pillow between your knees. One at your back and one to hold also help. You may find yourself curving in to a fetal position to ease the pain. Do the gentle stretching exercises your doctor should have provided.
Drugs like Vicodin and Darvocet affect your whole body and may make you fuzzy headed. Lyrica works on the pain centers of your brain AND the spinal column without leaving your brain dead. When I was taken off my pain meds for 3 months, Lyrica helped the constant lower back pain.
Depending on your age, the doctor might suggest a spinal fusion. There are all sorts of issues with such surgery. See a neurosurgeon because they deal with the nerves which are causing you so much pain. There are alternatives. You have to ask questions and be your own advocate.
Good luck to you. Try to take time every hour to relax your entire body, lift your spine to straighten it and open up space, and don't hold your breath--belly breathe instead.
If you must stand, be sure one foot is elevated to relieve some pressure on the back. If you have to sit, get up and move around every 20 minutes. Put your hands on your desk and slowly push your chair back, lowering your spine, but keeping your head in line. Hold and breath, then gently return to your original position. Get some stretching books from the PL. See a massage therapist, a physiatrist, a sports med. doctor. Whatever it takes to feel well.Health Question & Answer
It means you are rubbing bone on bone. The disc that is usually in between each vertebrae if gone from the disease or herniated. If you need surgery go for it, because it's not going to get any better without it. Health Question & Answer
Here are two sites you really need to look at,, they will help
http://spine-health.com
.?xyzpdqabc=0&id=477&action=detail&AEProductID=Adam2004%5F1&AEArticleID=000029&AEArticleType=Injury" rel="nofollow">http://www.uclahealth.org/body.cfm.?xyzpd...
Health Question & Answer
http://spine-health.com
.?xyzpdqabc=0&id=477&action=detail&AEProductID=Adam2004%5F1&AEArticleID=000029&AEArticleType=Injury" rel="nofollow">http://www.uclahealth.org/body.cfm.?xyzpd...
Health Question & Answer
You have Arthritis where the disc cushioning the joint has worn out. Yes it hurts bad. Mine are not that bad yet...I do not know what your treatment options are.
I hope you get relief soon.Health Question & Answer
I hope you get relief soon.Health Question & Answer