Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I have stenosis in my lumbar region. Extremely painful at times. Long story short I had a device called a "Vertiflex" placed between the discs in my lower back. It holds the discs in the same position that they go to while you're sitting down. Relieves most of the pain. That was about a year ago. Day surgery. In and out in about 4 hours. I got great insurance. I still go in for cortisone injections. All and all it's pretty well under control.

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Impressive. I need to research that device. Okay if I PM you if I have questions? How often do you get the cortisone injections?

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

My wife has one G. I got on it n flipped upside down. Thought my head would explode. I have bad sinuses can't hang upside down anymore. Reading about all you younger fellows I definitely feel lucky. As I said I'll be 75 n for the shape I'm in I'm in pretty good shape over all 👍👍

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Good luck DB. You won't know till you try 👍

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Good to hear you are doing well. I'm fortunate I'm healthy but have a prostate issue which is inconvenient at best. Too much time going to the bathroom. Keep on keepin' on.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

For all of those think about a cortisone shot! One thing, lay down as much as possible for the first week. It is denser than the spinal fluid and will go all the way to the bottom. Lasts about 3-6 months. If you lay down a lot then it coats the entire back nerves. Good for 3 years or more. Learned the hard way about that.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

I have to G. I think if I sit to long I'll figure out how old I am. Finally have things ready to take my pond boat to the lilly pond 2moro. If something goes wrong you may hear me cussing in the morning. 😂. Life is a highway dam potholes are a pain

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Yeah, I have problems with my neck, too. I'm just working on the worst problems first.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Yes g you can PM me anytime. As I said, that was a long story short. Very short.

JoeT73 Loc: Punta Gorda Florida

My 2 cents is it sucks to get old,it's not for weaklings. I'm 72 and everything hurts

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Thanks Greg, Stuco, Grizzly Spirit Audigger and anyone else that contributed. I knew I would get lots of helpful information on the Stage! First hand information is better than the generic stuff I was finding on the web. I feel much better prepared to weigh the options and find the best treatment(s) to help me out. Yeah Joe, I did a lot of things while farming that I'm paying for now. 🙄

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Good luck Iowa. I deal with the "quality of life" issue with my clients all the time. They get frustrated and depressed. Focus on what you can do is what I tell them. Be grateful you have what you have. Many in third world countries struggle to survive. Like Haiti. Enough of my preaching.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I fall firmly in your school of thought g. Count your blessings. I know that can be hard to do when you're howling in pain. Time to take an oxy if you got one. Have long talk with one of them J guys. Johnny, Jack, Jim, José.

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Yeah, I knew those guys well for about 20 years trying to self medicate. Got to where I could finish off a Texas fifth in a day. Haven't used that medication in 17 years, found out it only transferred the pain.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Hey I F,
I’m not sure I can help you, but it sounds like your medical history with your back and knee is almost identical to mine. I am 67 and had to retire four years ago from the remodeling business, due to back and knee surgeries. In 2002 I had surgery on my left knee, to repair a torn meniscus and remove some arthritis.
I had a back fusion (L 3-4) in 2006, after several years of spinal epidurals with steroids to manage the pain. I started taking Hydrocodone daily to help with the pain so I could keep working.
This DOES NOT help the source of the pain, but just blocks your brain from feeling it. So, like Greg said, it is not a long term solution.
Anyway, by 2011 I had to have my left knee replaced. The surgeon put it in “extra tight” because I told him I would be working for at least 10 more years, and he said he didn’t want it to wear out before I retired.
Well, it hurt ALL the time and last November had to be replaced again. By now my right knee was also past due and I had it replaced in March.

I’ve told you all this just to get to this: I believe all the knee (and back) problems have had a lot to do with additional back pain, plus the pain from sciatica. That’s the tingling pain you get down the outside of your leg. For those who may not know, this is caused by the sciatic nerve in the back, getting pinched as a result of inflammation around the spine.
One thing that can cause that is walking “goofy” ( not normal) because you’re trying to favor a leg or back to lessen the pain.

Here’s the good news!

During the course of my PT for my knee replacements with Brandi (some may remember the pic I posted; more than just a pretty face), I asked her if there was anything she could do to relieve the pain of sciatica. She said “sure!”. “A very simple exercise you can do anywhere.”
She had me do it right then, and within 3 minutes the pain was nearly gone! I’m going to try to describe it here; hopefully it will work for you as well as it has for me.

Stand next to a wall with your shoulder about 8-10” from wall and the leg with the sciatic pain farthest from the wall. Raise your forearm to about shoulder height, place it against wall in horizontal position, and lean your hips into wall. (see pic) Hold for 30 seconds. Return to straight standing position. Do 5-10 reps several times a day.
Be amazed!! Works for me....If anyone has any questions, PM me.