Posted 8/3/2016 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
I have had what you are describing, in my the body of my L-5 vertebrae.
In my case, I had a desiccated disc. The disc material completely obliterated due to extreme and sustained load forces on my lower lumbar spine. This life the vertebral bodies of L-4 and L-5 in direct contact (no disc material) and bone on bone. The bone on bone rubbing caused inflammation of the bone marrow of the vertebral body = bone marrow edema.
The source of my desiccated disc was my many years working as a physical therapist in comprehensive rehabilitation, working with individuals with devastating spinal cord and closed head injuries. I am a petite person (5'2" and 85 lbs) and I was routinely re-mobilizing individuals who weighed 225 + pounds. My nick-name at work was aptly titled "small but nightly."
The answer, in my case, was time and no medical intervention. My body went about naturally fusing L4 and L5 together, a naturally bony fusion.
If you have disc material that is extruding, a micro-disecotomy would possibly ease some of your symptoms. Or you could have fusion surgery to stabilize L4-L5.
I am about 10 years out since the desiccated disc with bone marrow effusion, and I have no ill effects.
- Karen -