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Beth (and others who wrote about back pain) - Dick saw a back specialist (surgeon) last week - we didn't know Dick's GP had referred him to a surgeon until we met and talked to the doctor. It was an interesting experience, but not one that will offer any relief from the pain. The surgeon looked at the x-rays for about 60 seconds and said, "I'm afraid I can't help you." He explained that Dick had degenerative lumbar disc disease. He and his chief resident spent time showing us on the x-rays the bony spurs on the vertebrae as well as the white areas of calcification on what remained of the discs. In a couple of places the discs were almost gone, leaving the vertebrae almost touching each other. In a message dated 97-02-11 00:00:43 EST, you write: >I have had some relief from the thoracic pain already, but lower back is >as sore and stiff as ever. So now I'm thinking that the problem in my >left upper back is 'occupational' and the lower back pain is probably >caused by/related to P'n rigidity. The problem area was the lumbar spine, or lower back, as you mention. The surgeon (who seemed quite elderly to me) said over many years he has seen many Parkinsonians with back pain, and in some cases finds no evidence on x-ray of the problem. However, in Dick's case the problem was definitely there. He had no answers as to whether rigidity (Dick had severe dystonia prior to surgery) caused or exacerbated the problem. He did say that the running/jogging Dick used to do until just a few years ago wasn't good for his back. His only recommendation was a "corset"-type brace which might or might not help, plus regular exercise on a stationary bicycle. He named other types of exercise equipment, and didn't know that the difficulty a PWP has with rhythmic motion would prevent Dick from effectively using a treadmill, stairstepper, etc. However, Dick says he is able to use the stationary bicycle we have stored away. In view of the recent talk among this group about doctors, it was good to find a doctor who said frankly that he couldn't help. He said he could fuse the affected vertebrae in Dick's spine, and he would have relief for about 18 months, at which time the discs at both ends of the fusion would have completely deteriorated from the increased pressure of being the primary flex points, and he would be worse off than he is now. Beth, it sounds as if your routine is working for you. I'd say keep it up. It would be interesting, wouldn't it, to know how many PWP have back pain and/or actual back disorders, and how much is caused by PD. Margie Swindler, CG for Dick [log in to unmask]