[andyp]

Hi

New to the forum and after some advice...

I have had ongoing lower back pain for 18 months associated with a degenerated L5/S1 disc. I had a recent discogram showing that the disc is Irregular A/B but negative/asymptomatic (on the Smith-Nephew disc morphology guide) and therefore my UK consultant is not recommending disc replacement.

I have had unsuccessful steroid injections and a CT SPECT shows the facet joints are fine. I have also done months and months of physio, reduced sport to swimming only and limited long periods of sitting and standing over the past year but the pain still persists.

My specialist in Dubai (I currently live in the UAE) has recommended mechanical decompression to remove a small percentage of the disc and then injection of Discogel to help rehydrate the disc.

I would appreciate any views on the above, particularly anyone who knows of this procedure or any other minimally invasive techniques that might be suitable to my situation

Thanks

Andy