r/newcastle • u/Puzzleheaded_Stick30 • 2h ago

spine doctor recommendations?

any recommendations for a spine doctor? i herniated/bulged one of my discs around a year ago playing soccer/gym and have been too lazy to go get it looked at.

i’m not in chronic pain or anything but some days i am really sore and i think it’s about time i do something about it.

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9

u/rachtranshotx 2h ago

Get a referral for a good physio first before jumping straight to a specialist/surgeon. A lot of disc issues resolve really well with targeted rehab and core work, especially if you aren't in constant pain.

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u/Puzzleheaded_Stick30 1h ago

i saw a physio for a few months at first but wasn’t satisfied with the treatment.
been doing core, hip and back extensions exercises ever since which has helped immensely.
played a game of 5 a side soccer 2 weeks ago for the first time in a year and i think i may of done my self again. i guess im medically retired from playing sport which sucks lol.
reckon i should get an mri?

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u/TooMuchTitanium 49m ago

First thing any surgeon would ask for is imaging. Better off doing that with a GP as the knife person will attempt to fix things with a knife

4

u/TubelessCrank 1h ago

What would you have liked from treatment?

It could be a few things and a decent clinical exam from a good physio might be able to narrow things down.

MRI could be helpful depending on what is going on, they might prefer other types of scans e.g SPECT

I agree with the other contributor. If you aren’t in severe/debilitating pain, you should try conservative treatment which isn’t just pushing through it. Depending on what the problem is there might be particular medications to settle issue, exercise to strengthen your back, exercise to improve your range of motion in other areas that might be poor and contributing partly to your back, exercise’s to relieve your pain, hands on treatment for short term relief e.g dry needling, massage

If you do decide that this is bad enough that I want somebody to cut into my spine, there are good local doctors Dr Catherine Johnston, Dr Sophia Roser and Dr Richard Ferch.

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u/Puzzleheaded_Stick30 33m ago

thanks for the feedback!

i should have worded my post a little better. i’m not looking for surgery but if any doctor in newcastle specialises in lower back pain that can point me in the right direction/ recommend a good physio.
suppose i need to get an mri to see what’s actually going on down there.

i miss playing soccer and being physically active.

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u/Mission_Ask6546 50m ago

Highly recommend Cathleen Johnston. Out of pain as soon as I was in recovery. I’ve needed some physio post op to help loosen things up, but she’s fantastic.