Bad news from the orthopedist

Well, I went to see the orthopedist today to find out why I have the problems with my back and hips. The bad news: the last two discs in my back are herniated to the point that they are sitting on/rubbing against each other and are severly arthritic. Nothing can be done about that. My hips are arthritic. I have bursitis in my left hip. He gave me a cortisone shot in the hip (OOOOOWWWWWEEEEEEE!!!!) More bad news-walking is going to continue to aggravate my back and hips. I can't let my doggie down, so I'm going to keep walking-but maybe not on pavement so much. I'll take her walking in the meadow, the woods. The pavement is too jarring. He told me to bicycle-which I love to do-off-road, in the woods. For the winter I'll get a stand to put the bike on so I can ride it in the cellar. He also gave me a referral to PT and I'm going Wednesday for the evaluation. This will help me stretch and learn to do exercises I can then do at home. They can tell me what exercises-weight lifting workouts are safe for me too. They can also tell me what warm-ups/stretching exercises I can do for golfing...as I start my first golf lesson on Wednesday night! All in all I have to say I'm not surprised-I have suspected for a long time that I had a herniated disc and arthritis. It's a disappointment that nothing can be done. It's a shame I can't take anti-inflammatory drugs now...but that's life! Hopefully as the weight comes off I won't have the severe stiffness I have in the AM when I get out of bed. I think my big stomach puts too much pressure on my lower back, whether I'm lying on my sides or my back. When the big tummy is gone...maybe that stiffness will be too!

Hang in there, Anne. It sounds like your on the right path, between having an exercise plan and PT. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll provide some comfort for you...and your puppy!! -Deb

Ann Sorry you had new news from doctor. I know I have Stiffness knee with arthritis on it and bad heal spurs on both feet. Do not give up!! Maybe try to go one time a weekly or every two weekly for chirpratic. I can give you great chirpratic my husband goes in Norwich for his back and his neck too. go buy hot tub to put outside in your back yard !!!! Hugs Kathy K

Ann- well, I'm glad to hear that you have some alternate plans in place this quickly. I'm sure you were disappointed to get that news. Swimming and yoga are also great exercises that you can do and won't hurt you, so you can have some variety. take care- Lisa C

Ann, I am sorry to hear about your back, as my husband is going thru the same thing with two disks being herniated and ruptured....but did he/she give you a possiblity of surgery to correct this? i have two brothers whom had surgery for herniated disks as well as an aunt..and all three are doing wonderful..the hubby is in the process of getting cortisone shots also.....he said he has never felt such pain, and it so far isnt helping.....my suggestion to you would be to get a second opinion just to make sure.....our ortho didnt see hubby's "rupture" of his disks on his MRI, only the herniation..it was seen by the dr who gave him the shot and when we went back to the ortho, he took a good look and said the other dr was absolutely correct in saying the disks were also ruptured...sometimes two heads can be better than one..good luck and just take it easy !!!! Deanna

Hi Ann, I know what you're going through. I've got arthritis, DJD and hip arthritis, all a result of me being overweight for so long.. and I'm only 27. It seems that it's only gotten worse after surgery.. which you think would be better w/o all the weight on them. Although, I'm doing a lot more activities now, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. Now.. just curious.. why can't you take Vioxx or Celebrex? These were ok'd for me to take and they help tremendously. Hope things ease up on ya soon. Take care, Michelle