The next time you have lower back pain....think again! It might not be just a normal back pain but it could be a slipped disc...sounds scary right?
yes, let me relate to you what happened to me...
I remembered I was playing games - floorball, with my colleagues after staff meeting on Thursday. I was trying to save the ball from going into the goal post. However, I didn't realise I had overstretched myself while trying to save the ball. I felt the little pain on my back but I thought it is just normal so I ignored. Little did I know, this pain grew and the pain went down my butt one week later. I saw the doctor and he gave me a jab to ease the pain. After that jab, I did, however, felt better.
The same pain tormented me, and I thought it was just a sprained and it will go off eventually. I was wrong. I could feel that this pain went right down the leg later that week, and I could basically feel my muscles around my leg went into spasm.
I woke up in pain that very morning, my right leg in spasm and I felt my veins pulling. I tried standing up, the next thing I know, I was on the floor. Thankfully I fell on Nicole's mattress which was right next to my bed.
Dearie sent me to the same doc I last saw for the back pain. The doc immediately referred me to SGH, saying it wasn't safe to wait any longer.
And there I was at SGH, did my x-ray, and after careful examination, doc diagnosed that it is a slipped disc. He ordered that I should stay at home and rest for the next 6 days, gave me strong painkillers. He also warned me that if I did encounter incontinence, I must go straight to A&E.
I did what I was being told, tried not to walk around too much, only out for a meal or two.
I was admitted on Wednesday because the pain was excruciating. The doc gave me 3 jabs of painkillers in total. I was kept there under observation and was later discharged to go back to rest in bed for another 10 days. I just had a physiotherapy session with the therapist and will go back for another on the 8 April. My MRI scan at Camden medical centre is scheduled on Tuesday 6 April.
Below is an article of what is slipped disc:
Understanding Slipped Disc
With adult having some 80% chance of getting back pain at some point in their lives, who hasn't complained of an aching back? How many people have experienced the sudden pain of "throwing one's back out?"
In most instances, back pain is simply the result of unusual exertion, fatigue or a twist or sharp movement, but occasionally, there has been an injury to the spine and medical attention is required. A slipped disc is one such common injury to the spine. It can be extremely painful, and may damage surrounding muscle and nerve systems. If pain is very severe, if it persists or worsens when you lie down, if it travels down your leg or if numbness sets in, then a doctor should be consulted.
Despite the common name - "slipped disc", it doesn't really "slips" out, rather the gel-like material in the centre of the disc bulges into the spinal canal. A slipped disc is also known as a pro-lapsed intervertebral disc (PID), herniated or ruptured disc.
A disc is a small mass of elastic, gristle-like tissue. Located between each vertebra in the spinal column, discs act as shock absorbers for the spinal bones. Thick ligaments attached to the vertebrae hold the pulpy disc material in place.
Why do disks herniate?
Occasionally, a single excessive strain may cause a slipped disc. However, disc material degenerates naturally as we age, and the ligaments that hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to pop out of place.
Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to disc problems, and as a consequence may suffer herniations at several places along the spine.
What are the symptoms of a slipped disc?
Extreme, sudden pain is usually the first symptom. Since most herniations involve the bottom two discs in the spinal column, the pain usually begins in the lower back. The bulging disc in this location exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve, and sharp pain may follow that nerve all the way down the leg and into the foot. Pressure on this nerve may eventually cause numbness or a "pins and needles" sensation. Over time, the surrounding muscles can weaken and shrink in size.
Discs can also rupture at higher levels in the spine causing pain and weakness in the neck, shoulders and arms.
Even if the initial pain subsides, it is important that the condition be diagnosed and treated in order to prevent further damage.
