Hi, i had back surgery 2 years ago, discectomy on L4-5. Now i have back pain again with numnes and burning on my gluts and thights. I had an lumbar X-ray a week ago which shows moderate to severe hypertrophy on the lumbar facet joints and vacuum disk phenomenon on L4-5 disks. What causes this phenomenon and what is the treatment.I did hear about gel like substance injection to be added to the disk. How effective this treatment is?Thanks. Irina
Irina, all procedure apart from discectomy for these complain does not have a very strong scientific back up.  I mean these procedures (injection, or chiropractic) may or may not work in every individual.  I think if pain is tolerable than you can take it B 12 to make your nerves strong.  Furthermore, I would also like to see MRI because X-ray diagnosis can be misleading.  Avoid heavy weight lifting and forward bending.