Disc Bulge

[Fluffpuff]

Disc bulge at L5 S1 causing distortion of the S2 nerve root. Any experience of this and what did you do? What treatments, exercises worked?

Had this for 2 years

Pilates/reformer pilates……. Keep moving!

Don't quite understand L5 but I'm in hospital right now after an operation on my disc prolapse, it caused so much pain in my right leg. Had it for a year but it got worse, had to go to the emergency room when I was screaming in pain and not sleeping for 2'days.

Hope you feel better soon.

Loads of lower back for disc stretches on YouTube. Lots of cat/cow helped. I had IDD therapy (expensive) which I think saved me from surgery.

I have L5/S1 lumbar neuropathy (radiculopathy) I am waiting to be seen but it is debilitating. My left leg is severely affected as is my foot. The buzzing , vibrating leg, the stabbing pain in the buttock and throughout the leg is soul destroying. My lower leg and foot feel permanently asleep. Pins and needles. I hate it so much.

Steroid injection into the joint. I was warned it could work for 6 months or I might never need another, or anything in between. Coming up for 10y now 🤞

Plus lifestyle changes. But they have been for maintenance since the injection. They did not solve the problem before the injection.

@PolkaDotPorridge- have you taken any medication. I had a steroid injection privately which had some effect but not resolved so seeing a private consultant soon as nhs is not great if you’re not an emergency. I am still waiting for my steroid injection - been in the waiting list for nearly 2 years - hoping the consultant says another more targeted injection might work. I do lots of back core exercises but it’s tricky as some make the tingling feel worse. I am now trying gabapentin to see if it calms the nerve down and I take naproxen if on and off. It’s my foot that’s affected mainly, painful and numb at the same time and tingling in leg.

@PaperPanama- I do all the exercises - steroid injection didn’t work fully but eased it. Hoping another one might help. NHS waiting lists are so long so will have to go privately again.

@Littlecrake- I have not heard of that therapy. I will do some research - thanks

@Bananalanacake- the research I’ve done says a prolapse/ herniation is easier to treat than a shallow bulge which seems counter intuitive. Hope your op is successful.

I had a disc bulge. The thing that finally worked for me was getting physio on my private healthcare through my work scheme. The generic print outs from the NHS didn’t work and were actually getting me to bend in the wrong direction. Curling up (head towards knees) was completely wrong for me. Extending my back backwards (gently) was what I needed. On all fours and extending opposite hand and leg was a great one. I do think exercises need to be specific for the position of your bulge.

Yes, I went private, too. Worth every penny.

I wouldn’t wait for NHS treatment, if you can manage private. It’s not just about being in pain, but aboutthe concern that the condition will have progressed so far that you may not get complete relief from it by the time you reach your NHS treatment.