Question: I have lots of back issues, and lots of pain. I’ve been diagnosed with a leaking disk, degenerative disk, bulging disk, etc. I’m only 50 and I want to stay active, but the painkillers make me very tired. What can I do besides rest?



Dr. Hibberd's answer:

Multilevel disc disease can be very effectively managed in the hands of a skilled physician using appropriate ancillary services with physical and occupation therapists. Avoid seeking unregulated unsupervised care from medical personnel who do not maintain hospital privileges. The absence of admitting privileges is a yellow flag, and often means you are entering a setting where unconventional, expensive, and ineffective therapies will be sold to you, Sometimes we need to add pain management services with additional therapy via an anesthesiologist for local blocks and non-invasive management until your back condition is corrected. Surgical management of multi-level disc disease is very uncommonly needed with modern modalities available, but will be considered only if your spinal cord is at risk or nerve function is at risk of permanent loss.