I have disk degeneration and annular tears! Woohoo!

[zanne]

I went through a painful test last week and got the results today. I've been in such pain for years now that I've been using a walker. No tests ever revealed anything wrong with my lower back, where the pain comes from. I know this sounds strange, but I'm so happy they found something! I will gladly go through surgery if it will help me get back to living a relatively normal life.

Has anybody else here had this problem? If so, what was the procedure for correcting it?

[TZ]

1. I know people with disc degeneration/spinal stenosis which may be similar

You may have to have a spinal fusion...where they put metal bolts and such in place of a degenerated disc. Its not an ideal solution but it should help with the pain. It's risky because its possible it could limit mobility but it sounds like you are already suffering from that.

[Deja Q]

2. Limited mobility, risks of needing the same surgery done again, and greater strain on

surrounding vertebrae, which means certain exercises are no-nos. A shame, as your neck will end up with stiffer muscles...

But if the disc is in the spine, it needs to come out. It is not a light procedure, nor is it healthy to leave it in.