Question
QUESTION: My mother has been independent and active her hole life.  Last week she lifted her tires into her trunk and since then she has had sever (8-10 on a 10 point scale) she has been diagnosed with a compressed disc. Is it realistic to expect that this will heal and that she will regain mobility? Can we anticipate her being pain free in the future? Is she a candidate for surgery? Currently she is on pain meds around the clock and mostly in bed. I may need to move her so she is close to my home in California. Is there a problem with driving her or flying with her?

ANSWER: Carol;

Your mom does sound like a vibrant woman.. lifting tires? Wow. The only way to diagnose the disc injury is with an MRI.  The question of whether she'll get better or regain her old ways is a big DEPENDS.  Most patients do get past disc pain, reducing their meds as well.

I have written an article about the disc on my website, www.dynamicclinic.com, where you can read abut the disc and it's treatment in lay terms.

Where is she right now?  Can she sit/stand/move for any period of time?  These might be questions best asked of her treating physician.

I hope this answer helped in some small way.

Dr. Peter Carr

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I just spent four days with her, and by the end of my visit she was up and around doing all normal activities of daily living except she is not driving due to the pain meds. She plans on having an MRI this week, we will check out your web site to see the treatment options. She already feels better.  I am wondering if she should hold on for a few weeks to see if it heels on its own. General anesthesia is probably not an option.

Answer
Most of these things can become symptom free pretty quickly.  Slowly pulling on her legs is actually a way to help with her to get traction.  Please try every other option before general anesthesia!... there's actually a 1 in 10,000 of well, death.  Hopefully, she gets better and better, where she can travel.