Contact Dr Sarapong at Bumrungrad hospital, he took care of my herniated disc. You won't get anyone better.

There are a myriad of reasons why a Disc in your back plays up, damage, it is herniated , your backbones have shifted due to excessive wear and tear or just that you have fallen badly.
The biggest problem that when your back is out of sync as it were, the whole thing seizes up and becomes more painful when you want to move, so you do not move.
Unfortunately unlike a broken arm, you really do not know what is going on, you can have a good guess but often we guess wrong.
Only a good consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon conducting the correct tests can really determine the best guessimate of what is wrong, you may think that will show up everything, however following my experience , when the Surgeon thought it was my L4 disc that had moved it was in fact my L5 disc had not only moved but was in several pieces having been smashed up by my backbone.
So the moral of this short re-telling of the story goes to show that even excellent doctors have really only guesses when it comes to your back, back strain is easy to diagnose, however pain inside upon movement can be a multitude of things and it may require surgery, but it DOES REQUIRE in some cases many tests to determine the outcome, then you as the patient will know and knowledge is half the battle, if you do nothing you could end up in a motorised bucket for the rest of your life or that you will walk yourself into your grave.
personally I choose to walk myself into my grave, not be pushed around in a chair, but I can tell you in all honesty on
being notified that second op was required to check the situation as my spinal cord was being put under pressure again , I was in some doubt as the op was 60-40 against full recovery.
Luckily the Surgeon was first class the recovery staff fantastic and my recovery about 95%, cannot complain but it was a lesson that I learnt failure to take decisive action could result in a permanent disability. So care is required especially when it comes to backs, it does after all keep your head off your bottom.

" Excellent Doctors really only have guesses ..."

Very poorly worded comment KP.

An MRI scan or even CT scan will identify the entire anatomy of the region in 3D. And give the Clinical Staff the exact and definitive / precise region.

Add in the contrast with these radiology scans and the nerves are also identified.

They know exactly where and whats wrong.

The ongoing management and treatment protocols are where you get subjective areas .

There is a constant theme from the OPs on here with there clinical experiences. All of them would have had a different definitive diagnosis from the anatomy that is damaged. But all took time to recovery . Medications and Physio included and then Surgery for some.

Every Lumbar spine diagnosis and treatment will differ.

Off topic. But somewhat relevant to some degree.

Getting in these Pickups where you have to rise and twist to settle into the seat should be a 2 step approach , Using the handle to assist when rising.

Ive seen approx 4-5 patients who have popped or ruptured a lumbar spine disc egressing into a car seat.

wazza wrote:" Excellent Doctors really only have guesses ..."

Very poorly worded comment KP.

An MRI scan or even CT scan will identify the entire anatomy of the region in 3D. And give the Clinical Staff the exact and definitive / precise region.

Add in the contrast with these radiology scans and the nerves are also identified.

They know exactly where and whats wrong.

The ongoing management and treatment protocols are where you get subjective areas .

There is a constant theme from the OPs on here with there clinical experiences. All of them would have had a different definitive diagnosis from the anatomy that is damaged. But all took time to recovery . Medications and Physio included and then Surgery for some.

Every Lumbar spine diagnosis and treatment will differ.

Off topic. But somewhat relevant to some degree.

Getting in these Pickups where you have to rise and twist to settle into the seat should be a 2 step approach , Using the handle to assist when rising.

Ive seen approx 4-5 patients who have popped or ruptured a lumbar spine disc egressing into a car seat.

Wazza, I couldn't agree with you more on your observations here. Of great importance is your warning about getting in and out of car seats. I have always felt that all the turning and twisting to get in and out of a car is directly related to a great deal of my own musculoskeletal pain. My Honda City has a hand grabber in three positions over the head except for the driver's side, which makes no sense at all. Someone in the design department wasn't thinking ahead. By grabbing that handle one could soften the blow when you throw yourself into a lower car seat.

I saw this ad for a handle to help one get out of any automobile and thought it was a great idea if anyone is interested.

https://dudegadgets.com/products/car-ka ... 6565658375

Actually in fact I will take you to task I did mention the Surgeon thought it was my L6 damaged when upon opening me up found it to be the L5 was in three pieces which did NOT show up on the MRI or X ray, so he guessed there was something wrong and did not identify the real culprit.
AS I know full well neither of you are doctors , the simple fact that even my doctor told me he guessed wrong means he was no good or that he was not experienced . He worked at Stoke Mandeville Hospital as well as many major hospitals in the SE of England and had previously been involved in brain surgery ( finicky ops those ) then my understanding was that he was top notch, considering I have had zero problems following those two ops and no matter what a MRI, CT or X ray says , somethings can not be seen and it is true until they open you up they really do not know what has occurred.
Anyone that thinks a CT scan or an MRI will show up everything are sadly wrong , it should but does not always. Surgeons always operate on the side of caution . This post was in response to a suspected herniated Disc which of course one really hopes that is all it is, but checking and a thorough investigation should always be undertaken before assuming it is nothing more than that .
May be you thought I was being flippant but in truth if my surgeon was here he would back up my comments, he took an educated guess based on the results of the MRI , he was wrong , but as he was only one vertebrae out it really did not matter.
The fact he told me speaks volumes for his professionalism and honesty, something you find hardtop get here I am afraid.

Actually in fact I will take you to task I did mention the Surgeon thought it was my L6 damaged when upon opening me up found it to be the L5 was in three pieces which did NOT show up on the MRI or X ray, so he guessed there was something wrong and did not identify the real culprit.
AS I know full well neither of you are doctors , the simple fact that even my doctor told me he guessed wrong means he was no good or that he was not experienced . He worked at Stoke Mandeville Hospital as well as many major hospitals in the SE of England and had previously been involved in brain surgery ( finicky ops those ) then my understanding was that he was top notch, considering I have had zero problems following those two ops and no matter what a MRI, CT or X ray says , somethings can not be seen and it is true until they open you up they really do not know what has occurred.
Anyone that thinks a CT scan or an MRI will show up everything are sadly wrong , it should but does not always. Surgeons always operate on the side of caution . This post was in response to a suspected herniated Disc which of course one really hopes that is all it is, but checking and a thorough investigation should always be undertaken before assuming it is nothing more than that .
May be you thought I was being flippant but in truth if my surgeon was here he would back up my comments, he took an educated guess based on the results of the MRI , he was wrong , but as he was only one vertebrae out it really did not matter.
The fact he told me speaks volumes for his professionalism and honesty, something you find hardtop get here I am afraid.

Didn't know there was a L6
Here is a possible cause for you KP

How an Extra Bone Affects Spine Health
An L6 vertebra is not, in and of itself, cause for concern, and most people go through their entire lives without even knowing they have the condition. However, this additional bone can complicate spinal health in some situations.

Doctors sometimes vary the direction they count when identifying spinal structures, and the presence of an additional bone can cause them to give the wrong number; a doctor who doesn't know your condition might label your bottommost lumbar vertebra L5 when it is in fact L6.

Rarely, the L6 vertebra becomes fused to another vertebra, causing back pain. This portion of the spine is also vulnerable to bulging or herniated discs. And because there is an additional bone fitted into the space of five vertebrae, the presence of an L6 can decrease the flexibility of the spine. Lastly, if your spinal cord injury is very low, it might affect your L6 vertebrae.

Your point is what may I ask , absolutely nothing . Comments appreciated but in the context of the OP this was really a warning to get checked professionally not rely on old wives tales and stories that was all. No matter what I am reasonably fit and healthy and my back, well it is still there working quite well considering with no fusion at all.

KP the point is L6 is abnormal or 10% of the population have this extra bone

I had a herniated disk in my c5 c6 area almost 2 years ago. Opted for the surgery, was definitely a frightening and painful experience. But almost 2 years later and i am only about 90% healed. Still have right thumb numbness and occasional nerve pain, please see a professional.

I had surgery at Bangkok Us on C5, 6 and 7, steel plate inserted and bone graft from my hip bone. Was back at work a week later still pain free and no reduction in my movement. Was a scary op as they go threw your neck from the front but glad I did it. The nerves in my neck were 50% compacted so I was lucky I went.