[Hipshot]

Back in 1977, I experienced a hard landing during a demonstration jump...like a terminal reserve opening that collapsed after opening because I was on the pavement! Diagnosis then was a compression fracture at L1 and another at L5.

Fast forward to today - had an orthopedic specialist explain why I'm hobbling around. Seems those simple compression fractures have turned into major narrowing of the disk spaces between all of the lumbar vertebrae. I have torn disks at L1, L2, L4, and a major herniation at L5/S1. The L5 vertebrae is displaced forward about 30%. The frontal view of my x-rays was described as looking like a 'snake'. Throw in a touch of arthritus and you get the picture of one major pain in the lower back.

The doctors want to try some steroid injections first. My question is will the injections do anything to help ease the pain? There are times when the pain in really a bitch...starting in the hip socket and radiating down the leg (left side) to my instep. Best description is thinking of a white-hot poker inserted in the hip socket and running down the thigh. The pain makes me really cranky and I feel bad about barking at folks when I'm hurtin'.