Young with lower back pain
I’ve (M28) had lower back pain off and on for years but the past month or two it’s flared up bad. I’ve got a pretty extensive family history of back problems (spinal stenosis, bulging discs, ACDF, etc) all within my parents and grandparents. In other words I feel genetically I’m screwed. I had an xray at urgent care a few weeks back when I could barely walk because of the pain. They noted some degeneration, but nothing huge. Today I went to the spine doctor and they looked at the same xray and said that while one area is mild (L3-L4) my L5-S1 is moderate to severe. They recommended an MRI to get a better idea at what they’re looking at. I just hate to think that my back is going to be messed up for the rest of my life. The doctor said he didn’t want to do surgery because of how young I am and that it could create the need for future surgeries. Anyone else in a similar boat and what have you done?