I have the same condition that you are describing. I have never had anyone explain this to me the way you have. Thank you for the great video and I have been like this for over ten years.
My doctor went through this with me. That's the good news. The bad news is that I can't put him on hold or put him on rewind. Other people need him too. I can't thank you enough for doing this. Your probably have no idea of how many people you are helping. Thanks Doc!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! In under 12 minutes you have clearly explained and made sense of so many things. Also answered questions I have been asking some "specialists" for the last 4 years. Still dealing with all the shit that goes with it. Frustrating is one word that comes to mind as well as draining. It takes so much from you physically and mentally. People do not understand and will not understand what we are dealing with. It's so clear when somebody actually knows what they are talking about. Thank you again.
Hi. Love your videos and how easy you make it for the average person to understand. I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis 15 months ago and am still waiting for the operation to correct things. Unfortunately for me the symptoms are getting worse. Numb feet and severe lower back pain now after only walking 30 to 50 yards. They say the delay is all down to covid as all operations have been put back. I am from Glasgow in Scotland. I wish you could come over here and sort me out. So much for the NHS. I don't know how much more pain I can take. Anyway thanks for listening. CHEERS
Hello, I have similar issues, for the time being as I am waiting for surgery, I am trying this "sit and decompress back stretcher" and it does provide some temporary relief. Please do check with your doc however, I don't wanna cause you more trouble :) but it works for me on a very temp basis. Hope you get well.
Thank you so much, Dr. Su! I sent this video to my family so they could understand what I am going through. You are right the pain in the buttock and leg (the right side for me) is much more debilitating than the lower back pain.
i’m currently scheduled for surgery in 3 weeks to correct this condition at L4 L5 along with L2 L3 nerve impingement Thank you so much for explaining everything God Bless You All
Very very good explanation of what I may need in my procedure for spinal surgery in L4 and L5 pain of back pain daily barely can walk great explanation of what I may need to feel better
Well done! Consider me educated, and oh, so very, very grateful that I found your channel by accident. My PCP put me on Celebrex and PT ( 7 months now) after saying my condition is "mild". Well, my pain level isn't, so I'm going to a neurosurgeon next month.
My spondylitis vertebrae has slippage grade 4, the sciatica was unbearable but injections worked marvelously and the veritable have fused together, while surgery was recommended using a cage procedure I’ve been extremely lucky to be able to have my life back enjoying snowboarding, mt biking, surfing, and now pickleball with zero pain!
Giving thanks to Doctor Ani John is something I will always take personal because he brought me back to my full health he is a good man and trustworthy so kind to every patient, contact Dr.Ani John on UA-cam channel now for help for Any kind of health issues..
Visit Doctor Ani John on his UA-cam channel his herbal medication is the best and permanent solution to all kinds of virus disease and STDs contact him now for help he cured mine completely within 12days.
Well explained, thank you. This is me starting to experience degenerative lumbar spine pain for months at age of 53. I had my x-ray and it showed I have a problem.
Dr Su thanks a million for being beautifully clear and sooooo helpful. I have L4/5 slippage and a protruding disc and a cyst. Buttock and leg pain , 75% numb L foot and toes and right big toe. could you clarify about cysts I’m on the surgery list for cyst removal.
So interesting and informative. I'm glad I stumbled across your site. I too have a Spondylolisthesis (Grade 2) which was reported to me 34 years ago. The surgeon, back then, didn't want to operate due to my also being born with Spinabifida oculta (Meningocele closed) which therefore meant there would be a lot of nerves to navigate. ?? Or so I remember him saying. But now as a 54 year old and hearing you explain the condition in easy to understand terms, has allowed me to learn so much more about the spine. I'm even just about to dig out my old x-rays and Mri scan from 1990 to get a greater understanding of my spine. Again, my thanks go out to you Dr Su.
Thank you for this quite clear description. I do have this condition, am in PT, & still able to take my daily 2-mile walk. Your presentation helps me to be much more aware of how things are working. Now, on to Part II!
That’s crazy how a person can live their entire life w this condition without paralysis or just crashing to the ground. My facets are severed w no disc & my X-Ray, the spine takes a sudden right angle turn literally w severe curvature along thoracic. The PA said it was caused by poor posture but it’s really that it’s was so weak -had been since 7-yrs old that it caused me to rest my upper weight on whatever I could and slouch w shoulders forward my whole life. Now I have to rest my weight if I’m standing I cannot bare the pain & it’s impossible to hold myself up. I’m VERY lucky that I don’t have Sciatica to foot. Mainly seems to have been, be nerve pain & constant muscle spasm & swelling. Maybe fibromyalgia saved me? Weird thought. Probably not! TY for these videos. Ur great!
Thank you, Dr Brian Su. Extremely informative. I had 2 operations. I am still heading for a third one. The second one was approximately 7 hours. The Neurosurgeon advised me, I still need a third one. I have improved quite a bit. I do honestly thank my Neurosurgeon. But am still waiting for the 3rd big one. Dr, Brian Su's explanation is just super clear!! Kind Regards, Colin.
Very clear and concise. I love how you showed the back and stomach side of the spine. Sometimes in these videos, the person twisted and turned the example spine so much it became confusing. Thank you.
I have it and it’s very painful. I had physical therapy which did not help. My doctor hasn’t offered treatment or referral to a specialist. It certainly has slowed me down.
Awesome video! My MRI says reverse Spondylolisthesis of L2/L3 level through the L4/L5 level. Thanks for helping me understand why my spine feels like a slinky
Thank you very much for this very informative video on spondylolisthesis. I had an appointment with you recently and considering getting the appropriate spinal surgery. Thank you. David
This is great. I have “severe stenosis” and “complete loss of disc space height” at L4 L5 with a grade 3 spondylolisthesis at L4L5. The ortho surgeon said I could have surgery, but he suggests I try PT first only because I never tried it, and he said I should exhaust options as I’m 36 and the lifestyle of a 36 year old could wear on a fusion surgery leading to needing a 2nd one down the road. Unfortunately, my HMO has made it impossible to get any PT started before July (at which point I’ll have the new plan I opted for during my open enrollment). Surgeon said that if I want surgery, I can call him and he’ll schedule it within the week. Getting surgery would be easier than getting PT! This is our healthcare system 😳
You should also watch the video on isthmic spondylolisthesis because at your age and with that degree of instability it may be coming from a fracture and not degenerative.
@@DrBrianSuTheSpineGuy on it! Thanks for the fast reply and suggestion. I do recall someone, might have been the resident I saw before the ortho surgeon, saying something about possibly a hairline fracture.
There is no good outcome for this surgically. Look at the NIH outcomes charting. Surgical implants (cage/screws) often must be removed later increasing overall tissue damage in the area. Caging one joint also increases the degeneration of the surrounding often leading to the caging of adjacent vertebra. I injured mine on an overtime Saturday at 10:00 AM while in my 30's. I was on a creeper, on my back in a half sit up, arms above me, yanking downward on a 24" long wrench. Boss had just walked out of the bathroom drying his hands, and was giving me a hard time for working into the start of our morning break. Something popped, and I fell over on my side bent forward at the waist. I was stuck there, could not move a muscle without severe shooting pain. It felt like a knife between the bones was being twisted, I broke out in a cold sweat, and felt strong nausea. The boss, and security guard pulled me out from under the piece of equipment bit by bit, and somehow loaded me into a company truck and got me down to our company clinic where they gave me some kind of pain cocktail, and x-rayed my spine. Doctor said you are going to need an MRI. After the MRI he said you need a spinal surgeon. Spinal surgeon repeated the x-ray, and MRI, and said you need spinal surgery, I'll order the instrumentation. I went home in shock, felt trapped, and in a panic. I called the workman's compensation insurance company, and the doctor, and said if I was a million dollar baseball player there would be three guys stretching me on the grass right now. The insurance company said I could get multiple opinions, and the doctor said we could try physical therapy, but it would not help. Went to the suggested office run by a husband, and wife team with one employee. All three had at least one masters degree in the field. The husband, and wife looked at the x-rays, and MRI's, and said we cannot help you, go back, and have the surgery, then we can help you. The wife spoke up, and told me she had been thrown from a horse when she was 12 suffering the same injury, but after much suffering her bones had fused on their own because she was so young still. I insisted we would try therapy, and it helped a little bit to gain some stability, and in conjunction with now outlawed cox II inhibitors some pain relief. I went to the best doctors in Newport Beach, one of the wealthiest enclaves in California hoping for a better outcome. In the end all the doctors except the surgeon said don't touch it until you cant stand the pain, or can't walk. They all said it will get worse, and eventually you will have no choice, but until then avoid the surgery because the outcome is never good. So, I did gentle therapy for a month or two, got a release, and tried to return to work. The company, and the union called me into a meeting, and said I was obviously injured, could hardly walk, and I should go home, take time off, get the surgery, recover for a year, then return. Knowing the little I knew, I insisted that I had a doctors release, I was suited up, and I was clocked in. The job paid very well, and I had been warned if I had the surgery I would never be able to return to this kind of physical job. I had made a choice, and I basically kept repeating the three phrases until there was a deadlock at about the three hour mark. I limped out of the conference room, and into 18 years of dealing with the pain as best I could. After a total of 21 years on the job it reached a point where once again, at 10:0 AM, I was yanking on the same exact wrench, doing the same repair, but compensating for the injury switched to using my feet, and legs to push on the wrench, and after three pushes felt my back lock up. I carefully climbed down, ate my breakfast in a chair by my tool box, and at the end of break tried to get up, and realized my career was over. Tears started falling down my cheeks, and I called the department manager from my cell phone, and he came down and started the accident reporting process my company was always conscientiously diligent in carrying out. That was Friday, February the 13th, 2015. A day I have not forgotten. The end of a career I loved. I knew it was the end as I had found myself shuffling through the massive repair facilities, in pain, with my eyes closed, making a face I remember from my grandmother more, and more frequently. It was a sad moment, and I had no idea what was next, but knew it wouldn't be good. After a period of seeing doctors, and attempted therapy I was told surgery was the only answer, and regardless, that career was over. I did not have surgery. Was retired medically after a federal workman's insurance case was settled out of court for close to what the law actually specifies. I did not ask for pain, and suffering compensation, just asked them to follow the law. It has been seven years since, and without the daily stresses on my spine that driving, and generally remaining upright places on this type of injury I can pass for healthy. My upper, and my lower body are very healthy, it's only that one connection right in between them that causes trouble. I have a certain amount of time upright that depends on how the nerve bundles are irritated or not which in turn is a cumulative effect dependent upon alternating periods of rest, careful stretching in bed, and activity. Too much activity, or too much laying down both cause the permanently cramped area to go into spasm. Overall it can appear to an untrained eye that I am able to live a normal life, but as I sit here and type this I feel my cramp starting to spread from being upright, and not stretching, or moving thru different motions I control as I pass through what can appear to be normal activity. There is always some pain to endure as I edge close to my personal limits, but generally I put it out of mind unless it starts to go out of control in forced situations where I can not control my own activity, or I am trying to complete a task. It will remain a balance until end of life. I don't want to become addicted to pain killers, I think the surgery would kill me, so my ability to push part way into the pain to maintain a life worth living, and my ability to control my activity minute by minute are those things granting me the life I live. No complaints. It could be much worse, and is for so many that suffer out there. I am glad I stayed on the job, and pushed deep into the pain many times because that maintained my physical abilities, and because it built up years of solid pension, and years of peak social security contributions. Not all persons work for reputable companies that document injuries, or even have the mandated insurance to cover workers hurt on the job so I count myself wise to choose that kind of employment, and count myself lucky that it was available in my lifetime. I still feel stupid for injuring myself even though I could not have known it was to occur. I still feel guilty for what was just a momentary slight physical over reach of my bodies ability at that specific moment. I still feel the loss of purpose in the end of my career. I still recall clearly the moment the insurance company became a belligerent throwing me away to go suffer and die. That part was the worst. To be forced to defend your rights under the laws you have yourself obeyed all your working life while suffering the physical, and emotional effects of life changing injury was horrible. It scarred me for life. Made it difficult to answer the door, or phone, every mailbox slam a letter from a bill collector, or another demand for documents from the insurance company. To this very day I find it idiotically difficult to deal with unrelated legal issues, to even being able to fill out a simple document. Even though I was successful in protecting my rights I now bear an aversion to anything that reminds me of those stresses, my frustration, my anger, my doubt, my despair during that time. I thought I was tough, strong, prepared to deal with what I knew was coming eventually, what all the doctors had described, but although it was expected, going through the actual experience was different. I did nothing wrong, but was left with a scarred personality from the cumulative experience. I understood it perfectly from a technical, psychological point of view as it was happening but it was still written to my mind in a way that has left negative impacts I can not ignore, suppress, or erase. Perhaps that is the nature of all life changing injury, but all men are different, all lives are different, and I recognize that I was indeed one of the few, the lucky, that this did not destroy my life. I know I am lucky, but it is hard to feel that way because it brings guilt, fear, and doubt. To those of you that have experienced all or part of this I commiserate. To those of you who have suffered far more I have no words that I know that can help, but here is my story ending as I feel right now, hoping it can help someone out there.
I have a prolapsed s5 l1 and watching these gives me some kind of idea of what I’m in for in the future, and at least I have an idea what I’m talking about when I speak to my surgeon !
Fantastic demonstration and Cristal clear explanations. Thank you Doctor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ In my case I don't understand to why I get the symptoms of stenosis (pins, numbness, and extream pain, just as I step up from bed in the morning for 2 to 3 Hours I can't walk. Then when I do stretch over these Hours the pain start to reduce gradually and I can walk normally. But the same repeat every day!. Any idea? Thanks
Thank you for your thorough explanation. After the x-ray and the diagnosis, the doctor prescribed pt which he said would strengthen my core. I am uncomfortable walking. I am fine laying. Don't know prognosis.
Thank you for your clear explanation of the mechanics of spondyloisthesis. It helps me understand how the slippage can affect the nerves. I have pain that goes from my back around my hip and into my groin. My orthopedic surgeon has had an X-ray of my hip done and there is no apparent degeneration of the hip bones. He said that my L1-L2 nerve is causing the problem. He has referred me to a pain specialist who, as a first treatment, has done a steroid injection. The effect of this lasted about 3 weeks. He has told me he has other ways to treat this, and I’m sure we will discuss this in my follow-up visit. Do you have any videos that discuss this problem? I’m guessing it isn’t as common a problem as the L4-L5 problem.
THANK YOU very much for the explanation and im now hope when i watch your video'im in pain just two weeks ago im stress 'i want a doctor like you'they dont explain that to me'i pray i can be in your clinic'if i just enough money' i will do'thank you very much
Perhaps you might like to discuss Paget’s Ds as the etiology is quite different. For example, Tinnitus is usually viewed as an orphan symptom. Likewise, sexual dysfunction isn’t usually related to nerve compression as people tend to terminate their diagnosis before getting that far down the list, preferring the more popular explanations. In which connection, are the sacral nerves more likely to be affected in Paget’s?
Oh my goodness!! Very well explained. I’ve been diagnosed with this issue, and I’ve been told fusion surgery is recommended AND I got second opinion-same thing. I’m in a bit denial, lots of stress and have fear and anxiety about any surgery. I keep putting it off and at the same time trying to save up sick time etc at work. In case I go ahead with it. I’ve heard good and bad stories about back surgery. I’m 53 and over weight. I’m in the process of getting rid of 50 lbs for my health, my psyche and bettering my recovery ❤️🩹 time from surgery IF I go for it.
Hi Dr. Brian. My question is about strengthening the core. When there is an umbilical hernia and diastasis recti. Making strengthening much more difficult what would you suggest?
Thank you very much for this detail explaination,exactly what im suffering for a year now..Please are there stretches or exercise that can help with the hip and leg pains?
Thank you so much for your informative videos that are easy for the lay person to understand. I have learned a lot from watching them. Do you discuss compression of the cauda equina caused by severe canal stenosis in any of your videos?
@@DrBrianSuTheSpineGuy thank you so much. I look forward to watching those upcoming videos. I really appreciate all you do to help all of us who suffer various spine ailments to better understand them.
Thank you so much for your explanation. I understand clearly like teaching us in the class. I really appreciate it my sister has so pain because of this disease. I hope you will get surgery. Thank you so much.
Great video. I have a grade 1 spondy that I have had for years. But also stenosis in the above joints. It has been an ongoing debate among doctors that I have seen, if I need a fusion in that spondy area! Or just repair the stenosis and wait and see if the spondy slips further.
I will publish the video on surgical treatment for a spondy. The surgical treatment for grade one has evolved quite a bit. I am rarely fusing those patients now and if amenable I will perform a minimally-invasive bilateral decompression from a unilateral approach called the u l b d approach. It is less destabilizing. If you do have significant foraminal stenosis along with Central stenosis a fusion may be indicated. Every case is different.
Thank you for your clear video explanation. Now I understand what causes the pain on my lower back and on my left lack. It's more than 10yrs experiencing this lower back pain. And now I'm experiencing the pain from my left but going down on my leg. I was informed that is the sciatic nerve pain. I really appreciate the way you explain the scan pictures. Keep it up Dr. 😊🙏🏽
Giving thanks to Doctor Ani John is something I will always take personal because he brought me back to my full health he is a good man and trustworthy so kind to every patient, contact Dr.Ani John on UA-cam channel now for help for Any kind of health issues..
Visit Doctor Ani John on his UA-cam channel his herbal medication is the best and permanent solution to all kinds of virus disease and STDs contact him now for help he cured mine completely within 12days.
Thank you so much for your explanation. I have a 4mm anterolisthesis of L5/S1. The pain is severe, PT is not helping and this is a holiday week, and my PCP has me on 500mg Tylenol, 800mg Advil alternating every 4 hours. I get some relief but the weakness in my legs is concerning. I am 64, and just retired from a healthcare career. Nothing like this ever occurred while I was treating my patients. It is also very depressing.
I just got a steriod injection at L5…I get around with a walker …I am 72… I am 5’3 ..weigh 160….I get worse with some PT activity… I am a retired nurse…. I never put together the leg weakness as part of this syndrome… I jut thought I just don’t have stamina for 12 hour shifts… now I see I need a complete plan or I will be in a w/c….
These are very good, very clear and very informative videos. :) I wish I had found them sooner. In case this is read: is it possible to know if the spine has fused naturally over time with spondylolisthesis (Gr. 2 to 3, Meyerding, it says on the report) and pretty severe stenosis? If so, it could make a difference as to what sort of surgery is done, or? Thanks.
I have spondyothesis since I was 11 (that's when I was diagnosed) now they said it's degenerative anterolisthesis of L5 on S1 with a loss of lordosis i think it said they don't know if its grade 2 or 3 I gotta get a CT scan .. it's so painful. except i don't have sciatica with it the spams actually go up all the way to my neck
@@DrBrianSuTheSpineGuy thank you quick question?? i just read my extended xray results and it says i also have narrowing at C5 AND C6 on cerivical spine area and have endplate degenerative changes in my thoracic area. so could this be from or related to my spondy in my lumbar???
Tryed the injections and it made it worse. Lost feeling in my legs which never came back. My legs from the mid clf to my feet feel like walking with bricks on my feet so they tryed a minamal invasive procedure.. So afraid to do anything type of invasive procedure.
very informative my mri shows 7mm slipping , but that is laying flat so i guess it would be grade 1, how do find out what it would be if i wasn't lying flat - i know ask my dr who put me on gapapentin who i will see in october. thx for the infor
I am 42years...i am currently experiencing all the signs and symptoms. I am a nurse...so i have stopped working as a result..because of the pain i have developed mild scoliosis in my lumbar spine. The pain is excruciating...i am waiting for PT before i get approved for an MRI, d pain meds dont help at all coupled with the cramps.
I am 72 and I have lumbar spinal stenosis without nerve entrapment. I don't get any pain down the leg but when I stand for several minutes at a time, I have to sit down due to discomfort in the lower back. Using a rolator or shopping cart, I can stand for long periods. I have had this problem for over 40 years. Had spinal injections with no improvement. I wonder if physical therapy would help. Presently, I am losing weight hoping that will help.
I'm 45 and been diagnosis with the same condition as you. I also have to use the rotator b/c I can't walk long distance or stand for long periods of time. Right now I'm doing water aerobics and taking meds but I haven't gotten no relief yet
@@ATLgaPeach1900 I found weight loss and physical therapy worked the best. I think water aerobics is great. I hate the water so I just do stretching exercises. I also found that Salonpas with lidocaine cream really helps after a hot shower. Keep as active as you can. I hope something helps because I know how hard it can be.
What is the down time on having this surgery procedure? Your details on this spinal issues is truly on point. I love how u explain it detail by detail. Great job
@@DrBrianSuTheSpineGuy ok im getting the spinal injection this Thursday my Dr. is great he did say I needed surgery but try the injection first.So Dr Su if the pain comes back in four months should I get the surgery my Dr told me about? Let me know thank u again.
Great explanation and visuals.. I have all of that and more. I hade steroid shots. Nerve oblation. Just recently I underwent facet fusion using the ION facet screws on 29 Dec, today is15 Jan. So far all of my leg pain is gone and I can walk better. Still in the recover process so I am not doing a lot of lifting and definitely no twisting.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I have the same condition that you are describing. I have never had anyone explain this to me the way you have. Thank you for the great video and I have been like this for over ten years.
Thank you. I am a better patient because I am now an educated patient. I appreciate your clear examples and explanations.
After 40 years of chronic pain I finally understand . Thank you and very well done .
My doctor went through this with me. That's the good news. The bad news is that I can't put him on hold or put him on rewind. Other people need him too. I can't thank you enough for doing this. Your probably have no idea of how many people you are helping. Thanks Doc!
Thank you very much we appreciate your comments.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! In under 12 minutes you have clearly explained and made sense of so many things. Also answered questions I have been asking some "specialists" for the last 4 years. Still dealing with all the shit that goes with it. Frustrating is one word that comes to mind as well as draining. It takes so much from you physically and mentally. People do not understand and will not understand what we are dealing with. It's so clear when somebody actually knows what they are talking about. Thank you again.
Thank you so much for your video. I suffer from these conditions and they have never been explained so thoroughly and understandably.
Absolutely beautiful explanation on such important topic. Thank you .
Another awesome video..... concise, thorough and easily explained!!!!!
Thank you so much. This is the best break down of what is happening with this condition that I have ever heard.
Dr. Thank you once again explaining the spine so that I can fully understand my condition. Sincerely, Ray Donahue
Hi. Love your videos and how easy you make it for the average person to understand. I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis 15 months ago and am still waiting for the operation to correct things. Unfortunately for me the symptoms are getting worse. Numb feet and severe lower back pain now after only walking 30 to 50 yards. They say the delay is all down to covid as all operations have been put back. I am from Glasgow in Scotland. I wish you could come over here and sort me out. So much for the NHS. I don't know how much more pain I can take. Anyway thanks for listening. CHEERS
Hello, I have similar issues, for the time being as I am waiting for surgery, I am trying this "sit and decompress back stretcher" and it does provide some temporary relief. Please do check with your doc however, I don't wanna cause you more trouble :) but it works for me on a very temp basis. Hope you get well.
Thank you so much, Dr. Su! I sent this video to my family so they could understand what I am going through. You are right the pain in the buttock and leg (the right side for me) is much more debilitating than the lower back pain.
Exactly, I feel the same, going through same thing om left side
I was dx with this condition 3 years ago and the Dr never explained the details like in this video. Thank you so much!!
You have been the best dr. I have ever explain my condition. Thank you.
Fantastic clear, concise information. Thank You!
I have this, and it's very painful! Best explanation I have heard, and the visual is great! Thanks for sharing 💯❣️
Right? I now understand what I am suffering with and enjoyed seeing the X-Ray and MRI. The doctor explained it so well.
@@theresahickscch6581 So, what are the best treatment.. I've gone thru all the PT, one surgeon wants to ladder. Anyone publishing results?
i’m currently scheduled for surgery in 3 weeks to correct this condition at L4 L5 along with L2 L3 nerve impingement Thank you so much for explaining everything God Bless You All
How did your surgery go?
Very very good explanation of what I may need in my procedure for spinal surgery in L4 and L5 pain of back pain daily barely can walk great explanation of what I may need to feel better
Thank you for spending the time making our conditions clear and understandable.
I have spine problems doc. The videos are great they help better understand what's going on in the back
Well done! Consider me educated, and oh, so very, very grateful that I found your channel by accident. My PCP put me on Celebrex and PT ( 7 months now) after saying my condition is "mild". Well, my pain level isn't, so I'm going to a neurosurgeon next month.
My spondylitis vertebrae has slippage grade 4, the sciatica was unbearable but injections worked marvelously and the veritable have fused together, while surgery was recommended using a cage procedure I’ve been extremely lucky to be able to have my life back enjoying snowboarding, mt biking, surfing, and now pickleball with zero pain!
Best description ever. CrYstal clear.
you explain things So Well! without loosing the medical jargon. THANK YOU!
Your videos are highly informative. They have helped me understand things and clarified what is going on with me. Wish you were in Australia.
Giving thanks to Doctor Ani John is something I will always take personal because he brought me back to my full health he is a good man and trustworthy so kind to every patient,
contact Dr.Ani John on UA-cam channel now for help for Any kind of health issues..
Visit Doctor Ani John on his UA-cam channel his herbal medication is the best and permanent solution to all kinds of virus disease and STDs contact him now for help he cured mine completely within 12days.
Well explained, thank you. This is me starting to experience degenerative lumbar spine pain for months at age of 53. I had my x-ray and it showed I have a problem.
That was incredibly helpful. Clear, concise, and totally understandable. Thank you
Best synopsis I've seen. Thank you! I love to have my questions narrowed down for my doc's precious time. 👍🙏
Dr Su thanks a million for being beautifully clear and sooooo helpful. I have L4/5 slippage and a protruding disc and a cyst. Buttock and leg pain , 75% numb L foot and toes and right big toe. could you clarify about cysts I’m on the surgery list for cyst removal.
So interesting and informative. I'm glad I stumbled across your site. I too have a Spondylolisthesis (Grade 2) which was reported to me 34 years ago. The surgeon, back then, didn't want to operate due to my also being born with Spinabifida oculta (Meningocele closed) which therefore meant there would be a lot of nerves to navigate. ?? Or so I remember him saying. But now as a 54 year old and hearing you explain the condition in easy to understand terms, has allowed me to learn so much more about the spine. I'm even just about to dig out my old x-rays and Mri scan from 1990 to get a greater understanding of my spine. Again, my thanks go out to you Dr Su.
You may also want to watch a video on isthmic spondylolisthesis series
Thank you, Dr. I must have missed that one during my ‘video surfing’. I will indeed take a look today. 👍🏼
All the best 🙏🏼
This is a great video. It describes to a T exactly what I have and will be having surgery soon to correct this condition.
How did your surgery go?
Thank you for this quite clear description. I do have this condition, am in PT, & still able to take my daily 2-mile walk. Your presentation helps me to be much more aware of how things are working. Now, on to Part II!
Thanks for this detailed lecture. Please keep them coming
That’s crazy how a person can live their entire life w this condition without paralysis or just crashing to the ground. My facets are severed w no disc & my
X-Ray, the spine takes a sudden right angle turn literally w severe curvature along thoracic. The PA said it was caused by poor posture but it’s really that it’s was so weak -had been since 7-yrs old that it caused me to rest my upper weight on whatever I could and slouch w shoulders forward my whole life. Now I have to rest my weight if I’m standing I cannot bare the pain & it’s impossible to hold myself up. I’m VERY lucky that I don’t have Sciatica to foot. Mainly seems to have been, be nerve pain & constant muscle spasm & swelling. Maybe fibromyalgia saved me? Weird thought. Probably not!
TY for these videos. Ur great!
Thank you, Dr Brian Su. Extremely informative. I had 2 operations. I am still heading for a third one. The second one was approximately 7 hours. The Neurosurgeon advised me, I still need a third one. I have improved quite a bit. I do honestly thank my Neurosurgeon. But am still waiting for the 3rd big one. Dr, Brian Su's explanation is just super clear!! Kind Regards, Colin.
Very clear and concise. I love how you showed the back and stomach side of the spine. Sometimes in these videos, the person twisted and turned the example spine so much it became confusing. Thank you.
I’m currently scheduled for L4 L5 Spondylolisthesis surgery along with L2L3 nerve impingement in 3 weeks may God Bless you All🙏 8:23
Thank you very much Dr Su for your excellent and clear explanation.
I have it and it’s very painful. I had physical therapy which did not help. My doctor hasn’t offered treatment or referral to a specialist. It certainly has slowed me down.
Awesome video! My MRI says reverse Spondylolisthesis of L2/L3 level through the L4/L5 level. Thanks for helping me understand why my spine feels like a slinky
Thank you very much for this very informative video on spondylolisthesis. I had an appointment with you recently and considering getting the appropriate spinal surgery. Thank you.
David
This is great. I have “severe stenosis” and “complete loss of disc space height” at L4 L5 with a grade 3 spondylolisthesis at L4L5. The ortho surgeon said I could have surgery, but he suggests I try PT first only because I never tried it, and he said I should exhaust options as I’m 36 and the lifestyle of a 36 year old could wear on a fusion surgery leading to needing a 2nd one down the road. Unfortunately, my HMO has made it impossible to get any PT started before July (at which point I’ll have the new plan I opted for during my open enrollment). Surgeon said that if I want surgery, I can call him and he’ll schedule it within the week. Getting surgery would be easier than getting PT! This is our healthcare system 😳
You should also watch the video on isthmic spondylolisthesis because at your age and with that degree of instability it may be coming from a fracture and not degenerative.
@@DrBrianSuTheSpineGuy on it! Thanks for the fast reply and suggestion. I do recall someone, might have been the resident I saw before the ortho surgeon, saying something about possibly a hairline fracture.
There is no good outcome for this surgically. Look at the NIH outcomes charting. Surgical implants (cage/screws) often must be removed later increasing overall tissue damage in the area. Caging one joint also increases the degeneration of the surrounding often leading to the caging of adjacent vertebra. I injured mine on an overtime Saturday at 10:00 AM while in my 30's. I was on a creeper, on my back in a half sit up, arms above me, yanking downward on a 24" long wrench. Boss had just walked out of the bathroom drying his hands, and was giving me a hard time for working into the start of our morning break. Something popped, and I fell over on my side bent forward at the waist. I was stuck there, could not move a muscle without severe shooting pain. It felt like a knife between the bones was being twisted, I broke out in a cold sweat, and felt strong nausea. The boss, and security guard pulled me out from under the piece of equipment bit by bit, and somehow loaded me into a company truck and got me down to our company clinic where they gave me some kind of pain cocktail, and x-rayed my spine. Doctor said you are going to need an MRI. After the MRI he said you need a spinal surgeon. Spinal surgeon repeated the x-ray, and MRI, and said you need spinal surgery, I'll order the instrumentation. I went home in shock, felt trapped, and in a panic. I called the workman's compensation insurance company, and the doctor, and said if I was a million dollar baseball player there would be three guys stretching me on the grass right now. The insurance company said I could get multiple opinions, and the doctor said we could try physical therapy, but it would not help. Went to the suggested office run by a husband, and wife team with one employee. All three had at least one masters degree in the field. The husband, and wife looked at the x-rays, and MRI's, and said we cannot help you, go back, and have the surgery, then we can help you. The wife spoke up, and told me she had been thrown from a horse when she was 12 suffering the same injury, but after much suffering her bones had fused on their own because she was so young still. I insisted we would try therapy, and it helped a little bit to gain some stability, and in conjunction with now outlawed cox II inhibitors some pain relief. I went to the best doctors in Newport Beach, one of the wealthiest enclaves in California hoping for a better outcome. In the end all the doctors except the surgeon said don't touch it until you cant stand the pain, or can't walk. They all said it will get worse, and eventually you will have no choice, but until then avoid the surgery because the outcome is never good. So, I did gentle therapy for a month or two, got a release, and tried to return to work. The company, and the union called me into a meeting, and said I was obviously injured, could hardly walk, and I should go home, take time off, get the surgery, recover for a year, then return. Knowing the little I knew, I insisted that I had a doctors release, I was suited up, and I was clocked in. The job paid very well, and I had been warned if I had the surgery I would never be able to return to this kind of physical job. I had made a choice, and I basically kept repeating the three phrases until there was a deadlock at about the three hour mark. I limped out of the conference room, and into 18 years of dealing with the pain as best I could. After a total of 21 years on the job it reached a point where once again, at 10:0 AM, I was yanking on the same exact wrench, doing the same repair, but compensating for the injury switched to using my feet, and legs to push on the wrench, and after three pushes felt my back lock up. I carefully climbed down, ate my breakfast in a chair by my tool box, and at the end of break tried to get up, and realized my career was over. Tears started falling down my cheeks, and I called the department manager from my cell phone, and he came down and started the accident reporting process my company was always conscientiously diligent in carrying out. That was Friday, February the 13th, 2015. A day I have not forgotten. The end of a career I loved. I knew it was the end as I had found myself shuffling through the massive repair facilities, in pain, with my eyes closed, making a face I remember from my grandmother more, and more frequently. It was a sad moment, and I had no idea what was next, but knew it wouldn't be good. After a period of seeing doctors, and attempted therapy I was told surgery was the only answer, and regardless, that career was over. I did not have surgery. Was retired medically after a federal workman's insurance case was settled out of court for close to what the law actually specifies. I did not ask for pain, and suffering compensation, just asked them to follow the law. It has been seven years since, and without the daily stresses on my spine that driving, and generally remaining upright places on this type of injury I can pass for healthy. My upper, and my lower body are very healthy, it's only that one connection right in between them that causes trouble. I have a certain amount of time upright that depends on how the nerve bundles are irritated or not which in turn is a cumulative effect dependent upon alternating periods of rest, careful stretching in bed, and activity. Too much activity, or too much laying down both cause the permanently cramped area to go into spasm. Overall it can appear to an untrained eye that I am able to live a normal life, but as I sit here and type this I feel my cramp starting to spread from being upright, and not stretching, or moving thru different motions I control as I pass through what can appear to be normal activity. There is always some pain to endure as I edge close to my personal limits, but generally I put it out of mind unless it starts to go out of control in forced situations where I can not control my own activity, or I am trying to complete a task. It will remain a balance until end of life. I don't want to become addicted to pain killers, I think the surgery would kill me, so my ability to push part way into the pain to maintain a life worth living, and my ability to control my activity minute by minute are those things granting me the life I live. No complaints. It could be much worse, and is for so many that suffer out there. I am glad I stayed on the job, and pushed deep into the pain many times because that maintained my physical abilities, and because it built up years of solid pension, and years of peak social security contributions. Not all persons work for reputable companies that document injuries, or even have the mandated insurance to cover workers hurt on the job so I count myself wise to choose that kind of employment, and count myself lucky that it was available in my lifetime. I still feel stupid for injuring myself even though I could not have known it was to occur. I still feel guilty for what was just a momentary slight physical over reach of my bodies ability at that specific moment. I still feel the loss of purpose in the end of my career. I still recall clearly the moment the insurance company became a belligerent throwing me away to go suffer and die. That part was the worst. To be forced to defend your rights under the laws you have yourself obeyed all your working life while suffering the physical, and emotional effects of life changing injury was horrible. It scarred me for life. Made it difficult to answer the door, or phone, every mailbox slam a letter from a bill collector, or another demand for documents from the insurance company. To this very day I find it idiotically difficult to deal with unrelated legal issues, to even being able to fill out a simple document. Even though I was successful in protecting my rights I now bear an aversion to anything that reminds me of those stresses, my frustration, my anger, my doubt, my despair during that time. I thought I was tough, strong, prepared to deal with what I knew was coming eventually, what all the doctors had described, but although it was expected, going through the actual experience was different. I did nothing wrong, but was left with a scarred personality from the cumulative experience. I understood it perfectly from a technical, psychological point of view as it was happening but it was still written to my mind in a way that has left negative impacts I can not ignore, suppress, or erase. Perhaps that is the nature of all life changing injury, but all men are different, all lives are different, and I recognize that I was indeed one of the few, the lucky, that this did not destroy my life. I know I am lucky, but it is hard to feel that way because it brings guilt, fear, and doubt. To those of you that have experienced all or part of this I commiserate. To those of you who have suffered far more I have no words that I know that can help, but here is my story ending as I feel right now, hoping it can help someone out there.
wow thank you doctor. Your explanation is quite clear. never understood this topic clearer than when you explained it
I have a prolapsed s5 l1 and watching these gives me some kind of idea of what I’m in for in the future, and at least I have an idea what I’m talking about when I speak to my surgeon !
Excellent presentation Dr. Su. I wish you lived closer to home!
Great video and explanation of everything .Thank you so much
Thank You so much.... Superlative explanation and visuals...
Fantastic demonstration and Cristal clear explanations. Thank you Doctor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In my case I don't understand to why I get the symptoms of stenosis (pins, numbness, and extream pain, just as I step up from bed in the morning for 2 to 3 Hours I can't walk. Then when I do stretch over these Hours the pain start to reduce gradually and I can walk normally. But the same repeat every day!. Any idea?
Thanks
Great Video Dr. Su. !!!
Thank you for your thorough explanation. After the x-ray and the diagnosis, the doctor prescribed pt which he said would strengthen my core. I am uncomfortable walking. I am fine laying. Don't know prognosis.
Thank you for your clear explanation of the mechanics of spondyloisthesis. It helps me understand how the slippage can affect the nerves. I have pain that goes from my back around my hip and into my groin. My orthopedic surgeon has had an X-ray of my hip done and there is no apparent degeneration of the hip bones. He said that my L1-L2 nerve is causing the problem. He has referred me to a pain specialist who, as a first treatment, has done a steroid injection. The effect of this lasted about 3 weeks. He has told me he has other ways to treat this, and I’m sure we will discuss this in my follow-up visit. Do you have any videos that discuss this problem? I’m guessing it isn’t as common a problem as the L4-L5 problem.
You can watch the surgical treatment video
@@DrBrianSuTheSpineGuy Thank you. I will.
Thank you, excellent easy to understand information.
Thank you Dr. Su! Great video.
Great video- very informative
THANK YOU very much for the explanation and im now hope when i watch your video'im in pain just two weeks ago im stress 'i want a doctor like you'they dont explain that to me'i pray i can be in your clinic'if i just enough money' i will do'thank you very much
Perhaps you might like to discuss Paget’s Ds as the etiology is quite different. For example, Tinnitus is usually viewed as an orphan symptom. Likewise, sexual dysfunction isn’t usually related to nerve compression as people tend to terminate their diagnosis before getting that far down the list, preferring the more popular explanations. In which connection, are the sacral nerves more likely to be affected in Paget’s?
Clearly explained thank you Dr
Many thanks for Very informative video Dr
Thank you for the very thorough explanation
Tks for your time and information …
Oh my goodness!! Very well explained. I’ve been diagnosed with this issue, and I’ve been told fusion surgery is recommended AND I got second opinion-same thing. I’m in a bit denial, lots of stress and have fear and anxiety about any surgery. I keep putting it off and at the same time trying to save up sick time etc at work. In case I go ahead with it. I’ve heard good and bad stories about back surgery. I’m 53 and over weight. I’m in the process of getting rid of 50 lbs for my health, my psyche and bettering my recovery ❤️🩹 time from surgery IF I go for it.
Hi Dr. Brian. My question is about strengthening the core. When there is an umbilical hernia and diastasis recti. Making strengthening much more difficult what would you suggest?
Thank you very much for this detail explaination,exactly what im suffering for a year now..Please are there stretches or exercise that can help with the hip and leg pains?
Appreciate it. Still no info about retrograde SL, my case.
May I know will I treat my back pain? When is the time for me to have an operation.
Terrific videos. Concise clear voice and explanations. A star!
Most informative video !Thank you!
Thank you so much for your informative videos that are easy for the lay person to understand. I have learned a lot from watching them. Do you discuss compression of the cauda equina caused by severe canal stenosis in any of your videos?
I will do a separate episode on ces. Typically occurs with large disc herniations
@@DrBrianSuTheSpineGuy thank you so much. I look forward to watching those upcoming videos. I really appreciate all you do to help all of us who suffer various spine ailments to better understand them.
Thank you so much for your explanation. I understand clearly like teaching us in the class. I really appreciate it my sister has so pain because of this disease. I hope you will get surgery. Thank you so much.
I hope she will get surgery.
Thanks so much. Living with this aliment every day.
Great video. I have a grade 1 spondy that I have had for years. But also stenosis in the above joints. It has been an ongoing debate among doctors that I have seen, if I need a fusion in that spondy area! Or just repair the stenosis and wait and see if the spondy slips further.
I will publish the video on surgical treatment for a spondy. The surgical treatment for grade one has evolved quite a bit. I am rarely fusing those patients now and if amenable I will perform a minimally-invasive bilateral decompression from a unilateral approach called the u l b d approach. It is less destabilizing. If you do have significant foraminal stenosis along with Central stenosis a fusion may be indicated. Every case is different.
Thank you for your clear video explanation. Now I understand what causes the pain on my lower back and on my left lack. It's more than 10yrs experiencing this lower back pain. And now I'm experiencing the pain from my left but going down on my leg. I was informed that is the sciatic nerve pain. I really appreciate the way you explain the scan pictures. Keep it up Dr. 😊🙏🏽
A great explanation now I understand the symptoms
Thank you so much absolutely excellent exposition🙏🏽🙌🏽💫
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Great video, thank you!
Thank you so much for your explanation. I have a 4mm anterolisthesis of L5/S1. The pain is severe, PT is not helping and this is a holiday week, and my PCP has me on 500mg Tylenol, 800mg Advil alternating every 4 hours. I get some relief but the weakness in my legs is concerning. I am 64, and just retired from a healthcare career. Nothing like this ever occurred while I was treating my patients.
It is also very depressing.
That sounds Ike me exactly.
I just got a steriod injection at L5…I get around with a walker …I am 72… I am 5’3 ..weigh 160….I get worse with some PT activity… I am a retired nurse…. I never put together the leg weakness as part of this syndrome… I jut thought I just don’t have stamina for 12 hour shifts… now I see I need a complete plan or I will be in a w/c….
what excise i must do to resolve the pain in hip be cause off lumberdischernition
These are very good, very clear and very informative videos. :) I wish I had found them sooner. In case this is read: is it possible to know if the spine has fused naturally over time with spondylolisthesis (Gr. 2 to 3, Meyerding, it says on the report) and pretty severe stenosis? If so, it could make a difference as to what sort of surgery is done, or? Thanks.
A CT scan would look at whether or not it was fused
Thanks for clear explanation on this condition. 👏👏
Amazing in depth information. I need this info so I can demand a standing X-ray /Mri Thank you
I have spondyothesis since I was 11 (that's when I was diagnosed) now they said it's degenerative anterolisthesis of L5 on S1 with a loss of lordosis i think it said they don't know if its grade 2 or 3 I gotta get a CT scan .. it's so painful. except i don't have sciatica with it the spams actually go up all the way to my neck
You probably have an isthmic spondylolisthesis so you should watch that playlist.
@@DrBrianSuTheSpineGuy thank you
quick question?? i just read my extended xray results and it says
i also have narrowing at C5 AND C6 on cerivical spine area and have endplate degenerative changes in my thoracic area. so could this be from or related to my spondy in my lumbar???
This is very good. Thanks.
Great video, what type of symptoms would this person?
Tryed the injections and it made it worse. Lost feeling in my legs which never came back. My legs from the mid clf to my feet feel like walking with bricks on my feet so they tryed a minamal invasive procedure.. So afraid to do anything type of invasive procedure.
very informative my mri shows 7mm slipping , but that is laying flat so i guess it would be grade 1, how do find out what it would be if i wasn't lying flat - i know ask my dr who put me on gapapentin who i will see in october. thx for the infor
You need to get a lateral, lateral flexion, and lateral extension x-ray standing.
Thank thathelped make it clearer!
Now I know about it, how can we treat it?
Unfortunately it is many years I have this problem.
Thanks for the information that’s my problem now
I am 42years...i am currently experiencing all the signs and symptoms. I am a nurse...so i have stopped working as a result..because of the pain i have developed mild scoliosis in my lumbar spine. The pain is excruciating...i am waiting for PT before i get approved for an MRI, d pain meds dont help at all coupled with the cramps.
I am 72 and I have lumbar spinal stenosis without nerve entrapment. I don't get any pain down the leg but when I stand for several minutes at a time, I have to sit down due to discomfort in the lower back. Using a rolator or shopping cart, I can stand for long periods. I have had this problem for over 40 years. Had spinal injections with no improvement. I wonder if physical therapy would help. Presently, I am losing weight hoping that will help.
I'm 45 and been diagnosis with the same condition as you. I also have to use the rotator b/c I can't walk long distance or stand for long periods of time. Right now I'm doing water aerobics and taking meds but I haven't gotten no relief yet
@@ATLgaPeach1900 I found weight loss and physical therapy worked the best. I think water aerobics is great. I hate the water so I just do stretching exercises. I also found that Salonpas with lidocaine cream really helps after a hot shower. Keep as active as you can. I hope something helps because I know how hard it can be.
Thanks you docteur
Hi Dr. Su I am a patient of Anky loosing Spondilitis
Nice SMP Bro!
Can you doing a snapping ,popping hip video?
I have this at L4/5 with a compression fracture fused from L2-L5.
What is the down time on having this surgery procedure? Your details on this spinal issues is truly on point. I love how u explain it detail by detail. Great job
It depends with the surgery is specifically 4 to 6 weeks
@@DrBrianSuTheSpineGuy ok im getting the spinal injection this Thursday my Dr. is great he did say I needed surgery but try the injection first.So Dr Su if the pain comes back in four months should I get the surgery my Dr told me about? Let me know thank u again.
Great explanation and visuals.. I have all of that and more. I hade steroid shots. Nerve oblation. Just recently I underwent facet fusion using the ION facet screws on 29 Dec, today is15 Jan. So far all of my leg pain is gone and I can walk better. Still in the recover process so I am not doing a lot of lifting and definitely no twisting.
Could you talk about cervical spondylothesis? I can't seem to find any videos on UA-cam discussing it. Thank you.
That usually does not cause issues because the nerves have already exited the spine but I can make a video on it
Thank you!
What can I do?