Ask Dr. Hays

Q. "My wife has 3 herniated discs, has been going to a pain clinic now for bout a year with no improvement, but they never mentioned surgery but we both think that's the only way..."

 

A. It is always impossible to tell what the exact situation is with these kinds of questions. Although it may provide some pain relief, Zymosine is designed more as an anti-inflammatory and joint support formulation.  As such it may offer very little help for the severe pain of actual nerve impingement. 

 

After I started having some pain which suggested that I might be dealing with my own disc problem, I began taking Zymosine which gave me good relief for the pain. 

 

But even more importantly, I began to work with a series of exercises and postural changes that are known as the McKenzie technique.  The truth is, that even though I had always been told to sit correctly and stop slouching, my sitting posture was horrible - especially at the end of the day when I was tired and just wanted to kick back and relax. 

 

Combine the postural problems with the fact of trying to build my own house with all of the heavy lifting required, and I was beginning to develop some back problems.
 
The McKenzie technique takes the simple assumption of treating disc problems like any other injured tissue, and asks what conditions lead to the injury in the first place and what can be done to promote healing of that tissue.  The mainstay of this therapy is re-establishing a normal lordotic curve to the lumbar spine and a series of exercises to decompress the discs. 

 

In my experience the technique is simple and works well.  The pain clinic may have had your wife do some of these exercises.

 

A helpful book on these techniques is "Treat Your Own Back" by Robin A. McKenzie you can get it online at amazon.

 

After I thought about it, I remembered how my worst patients with back pain looked when they came in to see me - they are some of the worst slouchers I've seen!
 

If that does not help you may want to do some research on google re the latest on neurosurgery for disc disease. I like having patients that are well educated.

 

Less invasive surgical techniques are becoming more common.  Arthroscopic laser surgery sounds like the option I would most recommend to my own patients. 

 

Arthroscopic laser surgery What it is for: It is used for herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc and joint disease, and failed open back surgery. When it is used: Severe lower back pain with radiation of pain into the legs Pain from a herniated lumbar disc or discs and have been confirmed by MRI's, CT scans and/or Myelograms Pain from previous open surgeries which have failed to work Pain that has not responded to conventional treatments after 3 months such as rest, analgesics, muscle relaxants and physical therapy, etc. The procedure: The portion of the herniated lumbar disc that is causing nerve compression producing back and leg pain is removed through a small incision. A needle is placed into the area of the disc that is producing symptoms while the patient is awake. A small incision is made on the patient’s back and the endoscopic tube is inserted. Using endoscopic instruments the diseased disc material is removed. The a laser vaporizes the surrounding problem tissue. A laser is then used to shrink and remodel the remaining disc. A small dressing is used to cover the incision. Recovery: Patients may feel immediate relief following this procedure. Rehabilitation involving gait training, back or neck support, and walking may begin within hours of surgery. Potential benefits from this procedure: Fewer risks, local anesthesia, small incision, minimal blood loss Short recuperation time Minimal damage to tissues Surgeries are done in an outpatient setting Patient may see a faster return to a normal lifestyle

 

Always try to get a second opinion before those kinds of major surgery. 

 

You always need to ask all of your most detailed questions of the Doctor who directly manages your care.

 

I wish you and your wife success overcoming her condition.