I'm 21, and my doc thinks I have slipped disk.?

Question

Don't you think I'm a little to young to have this? The thing is I never got injured. I'm pretty sure i didn't slip or fall in like 2 years. What's going to happen to me when I get older?

Answer 1

I would go to an orthopedic surgeon. Have they given you a CT scan or MRI or an X-Ray. If you haven't had them how did the doctor come to that conclusion? Just to be on the safe side go to the orthopedic surgeon. They are specially trained for this type of thing.

Answer 2

Slipped disk is not a medical term disks don't slip. The proper term is herniated disk. The most common site is L-5 and sacrum) The material in the disk space is a semi hard jell like mass with a fluid.The mass is called the nucleus propulsus and the fluid is retained by ligaments attached to the vertebra above and below. If there is a strain to the area a bulge can form and press on a nerve. In addition some fluid can leak out.It is an irritant and can cause sever muscle spasm. Usually this happens because of an injury or by malalignment of the structures in the area (sacrum L-5 and inominate bones). Orthopedic doctors are mostly surgeons as such they like to do as they know. To the best of my knowledge surgery to the area is the most common surgery in the US. It also has a poor success rate with a high recurrence of pain with in 3 years. The majority of adult males over 35 have bulged disks and the majority of them are largely pain free. Because of this many questions have been raised regarding the validity of this procedure. Nothing may happen as you get older or it may get worse. For the most accurate diagnosis an MRI is required X-rays can only tell you that there is a misalignment. Chiropractors will combine your symptoms with an X-ray but it is not an absolute diagnosis. Contrary to the other post they often do get good results. Finding a good one is not easy. I do know a Chiropractor that has no disk between L-5 and the sacrum he leads a perfectly normal life except he cannot run for and extended period of time. It becomes too painful. Be concerned but don't lose any sleep just yet.  

Answer 3

What kind of doctor is this? A chiropractor? If it's not a normal physician, I'd get a second opinion.