DEGENERATIVE SPINE DISEASE

This x-ray shows John's back, the rods and screws he had put in after a fall he had in July 2007, one he is still recovering from. The last few months, especially, he has had numbness and tingling, weakness and lots of pain (some days are better than others with the pain)in his hip and down one leg. He had told the surgeon about it at his check up last July, but at that time it wasn't as severe as it has become, and it occurred only at times. So, last week, after calling to let the surgeon know what was happening, he went in for a scheduled MRI, and on Tuesday of this week, we went to the surgeon to find out the results.... Degenerative Spine Disease is what he has. The surgeon said he most likely had it to some degree before his fall and surgery, but that the injury has accelerated it by perhaps 5 - 7 years.
The part that is affected is below where his rods and screws are, the fluid is not there to cushion things as much and so there is inflammation and the nerves are pinched.. the sciatic nerve in this case which runs down his leg.

The surgeon has prescribed therapy for a month, if that works, great - continue with it...if not, there are some kind of shots he will get that may help as well. And if that doesn't work, then surgery will be next... several options we'd have to talk with the surgeon about, if and when it comes to that. Some people have been able to put off any surgical measures by the therapy and shots for 10 - 15 years or more.. hopefully John can fall into that category too.

His surgeon said the idea isn't just to limit the pain by limiting activities, etc... but the goal is to allow him to do the things he can do now, but without the pain. Sounds like a plan to us! Prayers are always appreciated, and we thank you for them. Sooo, on to therapy for John.... and we go from there....