Battling Disc Calcification: A 15-Month Journey and Advice

A 15-Month Follow-Up on Calcium Deposits After Lumbar Disc Surgery Sharing My Experience

So far, I’ve faced three major challenges caused by the calcium deposits.

I expect more significant challenges ahead.

But having gone through these three major trials, I can say that I’ve gained some experience dealing with the calcium deposits.

Lumbar Disc Surgery

About the Disc Calcium Deposits

First episode:
The cause was unknown. It felt like a recurrence, so I had an MRI scan, but no abnormalities were found.

The main symptoms were radiating pain from the buttocks downwards, numbness in the feet, and abnormal skin sensations on the calves.

Second episode:
The same symptoms occurred again. After resting in bed for three weeks, the radiating pain gradually started to decrease.

Afterwards, I slowly began to walk more and more. But during this process, I overdid some exercises, which triggered the third episode.

Third episode:
The symptoms were the same as before: radiating pain from the buttocks, numbness in the feet, abnormal skin sensations in the calves, and especially a burning sensation.

I had a CT scan for a detailed analysis of the calcium deposit size, but it was nearly identical to before (same hospital, same equipment, same technician).

What was unique about the third episode?

1. The surgical site on the disc the calcified area started to feel sore.

2. A sharp, prickling sensation like tiny pine needles stuck inside.

3. Severe pain in both knees, making walking difficult.

4. Swelling in the ankles.

5. Poor blood circulation in the ankles, causing the blood vessels there to deteriorate.

Treatment during the third episode:

• Took Lyrica capsules (50 mg) consistently twice a day (morning and evening).

• Took Airtal tablets three times daily (morning, noon, evening).

• Took anti-swelling medication and chronic venous insufficiency medicine (Visbi capsules).

After about two weeks of strict bed rest, the radiating pain stabilized enough to start walking again.

Before the third episode, I avoided sitting on chairs more than 90% of the time. However, I suspect that sitting several hours a day was the key trigger for the third episode.

It’s been about three weeks since the third episode, and currently, I am not taking any medication.

However, due to prolonged bed rest and the inability to sit, I’m forced to lie down almost all the time.

This has caused problems with my small and large intestines severe constipation, and I fear an impending bowel obstruction.

If this condition persists, I also suspect that the risk of colon cancer will increase over time.

Conclusion

1. For those with disc calcium deposits, sitting appears to be extremely harmful.

2. Recovery is extremely slow almost no noticeable improvement day to day.

3. Improper self-care causes the calcium deposits to irritate the nerves, triggering inflammation and creating a cycle of injury and healing.

4. Once inflammation occurs, the calcium deposits may grow larger and cause nerve damage.

Is There a Solution?

No.

For those who have already had surgery, the ligamentum flavum has been thoroughly ground down with a drill, so its ability to recover or regenerate is zero.

Well, not quite zero the surrounding tissue and soft matter cover the ligamentum flavum to about 20% of its function.

But if you undergo a second surgery in the same area, that 20% functional tissue is lost completely, leading to total functional loss.

This will eventually cause the spinal bones to deform.

The best surgical option is the lateral approach through the side, but it carries significant risks.

If you have a second surgery in the same area, severe adhesions develop, resulting in intense pain and a very low chance of surgical success.

Knees Screaming, Ankles Swelling? Check Your Spine!

Thought It Was Just a Herniated Disc?

"They said I had a little calcification in my lower back."
"But my back doesn’t hurt much now… weirdly, it’s my knees that ache, and my ankles keep swelling."
Ever experienced something like this?

Many people who’ve been diagnosed with a herniated disc or even disc calcification often don’t connect later knee pain or ankle swelling to their spine. It's easy to assume they're unrelated joint problems. But in reality, they may be part of a much bigger, connected issue.

What’s happening might not be just about your knees or ankles. It could be a ripple effect  inflammation triggered by your spine and spreading down the chain.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how disc calcification can spark inflammation, why it can lead to pain and swelling in your knees and ankles, and what you can do to break that cycle before it gets worse.

knee pain

What Exactly Is Disc Calcification?

Disc calcification refers to the abnormal buildup of calcium deposits inside or around the spinal discs. In simple terms, it's when parts of your disc start to harden not in a healthy way, but due to unwanted calcium accumulation. This can happen for several reasons, including:

1. Pathological calcium deposits during the healing process after disc injury
2. Degeneration and fibrosis of the disc as we age
3. Repeated micro-damage or chronic inflammation in surrounding tissues

But here’s what most people don’t realize: this isn’t just about having a “stiff” or “aged” disc. These calcified deposits can irritate nearby nerves and trigger your immune system.

The result? Inflammation.
And not just localized inflammation in your lower back but a systemic chain reaction that can extend all the way down to your knees, ankles, and even your feet.

How Inflammation from Disc Calcification Reaches Your Knees and Ankles

1. Pain Travels Along Nerve Pathways

When disc calcification develops in the lower back, it often irritates nearby nerves especially the sciatic nerve and tibial nerve.
This irritation doesn’t just stay in the spine. Like an electric signal traveling down a wire, the pain and abnormal sensations can spread through the entire leg.

This can lead to a range of symptoms, including:

1. Knee pain
2. Calf tightness or heaviness
3. Tingling, numbness, or swelling in the ankles

For example:
When nerve roots between L4 and S1 are compressed or inflamed, the pain can radiate from the front of the knee, down the calf, and even into the top of the foot.
Many people describe it as deep, aching pain that moves and it’s often misdiagnosed as a local joint issue, when the real cause is higher up the chain.

2. Inflammatory Chemicals Can Spread Throughout the Body

Inflammation caused by disc calcification doesn’t always stay confined to your lower back.
When your body detects this inflammation, it releases a host of immune chemicals like cytokines, prostaglandins, and interleukins in an attempt to control the damage.

Here’s the problem:
These chemical messengers don’t just stay local. They travel through your bloodstream and can trigger inflammatory responses in distant parts of the body. Inflammation can last for at least a week.

And guess what tends to react the most?
Joints that are already under pressure like your knees and ankles.

These areas are especially sensitive to systemic inflammation. As a result, you may experience:

1. Swelling
2. Warmth or redness
3. Throbbing or aching pain

Even if your back feels fine at the moment, this chain reaction could be silently stirring up problems in your lower limbs.

3. Secondary Damage from Changes in Walking Patterns

When your lower back is in pain or even just feels “off” your body naturally tries to compensate.
You might unconsciously shift your posture, walk differently, or distribute your weight unevenly to avoid discomfort.

Over time, these altered walking patterns can lead to uneven pressure on one side of your body especially your knees and ankles.

What starts out feeling like mild muscle soreness can gradually evolve into something more serious:

1. Inflammation inside the joint
2. Swelling from fluid buildup
3. A mix of mechanical strain and immune response

This combination often leads to persistent, complex pain that’s no longer just about your back it’s now a full-body issue involving muscles, joints, and inflammation all working against you.

If you’re experiencing any of the following issues, it’s not just a simple joint problem inflammation caused by your spinal disc is likely the root cause:

1. One or both knees ache repeatedly, and the pain worsens when you move.
2. Your knees feel stiff in the morning or after sitting for a while.
3. Your ankles swell frequently for no apparent reason, and your shoes suddenly feel tight.
4. Even after your back pain disappears, the pain in your knees or ankles continues.
5. Poor blood circulation in your ankles causes dark spots to appear on the skin.
6. Ice packs or massages bring temporary relief, but the symptoms quickly return.
7. A stinging sensation developed in my lower back

English Version: Fundamental Approaches for Treatment

1. Took the anti-inflammatory drug, Airtal.

There may still be inflammatory responses for about a week. Taking the right medication at the right time is essential for a quick recovery. If the inflammation becomes prolonged, calcification may occur.

2. Reassess Your Disc Condition (MRI Scan)
Instead of relying on a simple X-ray, get an MRI that provides detailed soft tissue analysis. This will help check the extent of disc calcification, nerve compression, and inflammation spread.

3. Check Systemic Inflammation Levels
Ask your doctor to test inflammatory markers like CRP, ESR, and IL-6.
If these markers are elevated, it may indicate a systemic inflammatory response rather than just a localized joint issue.

4. Evaluate Posture, Weight Distribution, and Gait
More important than physical therapy alone is correcting your posture and walking habits.
Analyze where excessive pressure is placed and correct any asymmetrical load to prevent secondary damage to your knees and ankles.

5. Adopt an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

1. Stay well hydrated
2. Reduce high-salt and processed foods, increase omega-3 intake
3. Improve gut health (a key to immune regulation)
4. Instead of hot compresses, focus on full-body circulation exercises like walking

While you can’t directly dissolve disc calcification, minimizing inflammation can break the chain of pain.

Conclusion:

Disc calcification is more than a simple spinal issue it has widespread effects on your nervous and immune systems.

If you suddenly develop knee or ankle pain or swelling, remember: it may not be just a joint problem. It could be inflammation spreading from your spine.

Seeing the real root cause is the key to a proper recovery strategy.

When your herniated disc is severe, never undergo this kind of treatment at the hospital — absolutely not!

You should never do it just because the hospital tells you to when your lower back hurts.

 

When I visit spine-related forums and look at MRI scans, they honestly scare me.
I can’t help but wonder… Will I end up like that? How does it get that bad?
Thoughts like these flood my mind.

Every time I look at an MRI, it feels like I’m staring at a report card — not just for my back, but for my life.

As we get older, it’s only natural that our bodies start to break down.
Just like machines wear out with age, so do we. It’s unavoidable.

People often say that back problems will get better on their own if left alone.
And in my experience, that’s mostly true.

Usually, when someone’s back hurts, they rest at home for a few days with heat packs.
That’s the typical approach — and most people don’t even go to the hospital for it.

But if the pain doesn’t go away even after resting like that, that’s when they finally decide to visit a hospital.

And that moment…
That’s where something very important — and potentially dangerous — begins.

If your back pain is bad enough to send you to the hospital,
then that likely means your condition has already reached a serious stage.

Those who’ve been through a herniated disc will understand:
At the hospital, you’ll almost always be given the “standard routine” — physical therapy.

But here’s something most people don’t realize:
This kind of treatment can actually make things worse.

 

 

 

The “standard physical therapy” you automatically receive at the hospital can actually make your disc condition worse.

If your back pain is severe — to the point where it’s hard to sit or even lie down without intense discomfort — it’s highly likely that your disc is already swollen and pressing hard on a nerve.

At this stage, hospitals typically prescribe standard physical therapy treatments such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and heat therapy.

But here’s the issue: at this advanced stage, these treatments can do more harm than good. Instead of simply relaxing muscles or improving blood flow, they can actually make the already sensitive and weakened disc tissue even more fragile.

You might feel slightly better right after the treatment, but in many cases, the pain returns — often worse than before — and before you know it, you’re being told that surgery is your only option.

And sadly, this pattern is more common than most people realize.

  

Physical therapy

 

When back pain becomes severe enough to seek medical help, some people are prescribed manual therapy or chuna (chiropractic-style) therapy.

Now, to be clear — these treatments are intended to support spinal health.
But in certain cases, they can actually do more harm than good.

If a disc is already bulging or protruding, even slightly excessive pressure or force can cause it to rupture.

A forceful spinal adjustment during manual therapy, or increased abdominal pressure from chuna techniques —
in those moments, your spine may not be able to handle it.

And the result?
A serious disc rupture that could make your condition far worse.

  

manual therapy or chuna (chiropractic-style) therapy.

 

So then, what should you do when the pain is severe?

A herniated disc is not a simple muscle ache.

When your back hurts badly, never, ever, ever do what the hospital tells you to do without question.
Please remember this.

 

Adequate rest and stability come first.
You must minimize movement and thoroughly avoid any strenuous activity.

 

Warm compresses and posture that minimize stimulation.

 You should maintain a posture that reduces pressure on the lower back and wait for the pain to subside.

 

Exercise and treatment should only begin after the pain has significantly subsided.

During the acute phase, exercise is strictly prohibited. Rehabilitation should begin only after the pain has improved by about 70–80%

 

Conclusion

A herniated disc is not just a simple muscle pain.

When your back hurts badly, never, ever, ever do what the hospital tells you to do.
Please remember this.

Easily Comparable Analysis of Disc Calcification Locations

Easy Comparison of Disc Calcification Areas

When you visit a hospital due to lower back pain, you usually undergo MRI or CT scans. These two tests allow doctors to see inside your body, but for most people, it’s hard to understand the images directly. Especially, the term “disc calcification” can be unfamiliar, and it’s difficult to grasp exactly where the problem is located.

 

What is Disc Calcification?

Discs are jelly-like structures located between the vertebrae that help absorb shocks. However, when calcium deposits build up inside the disc and harden it, this phenomenon is called calcification. Just like mineral deposits clogging a pipe, calcification in the disc reduces its flexibility and can cause pain.

For example, Mr. A visited the hospital complaining of back pain along with numbness and tingling in his leg. His MRI showed disc calcification, but he felt anxious because he didn’t know exactly where it was located.

 

What’s the difference between MRI, CT, and Bone Images?

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Shows detailed images of the disc, surrounding nerves, and soft tissues. For example, it helps identify areas where nerves may be compressed.

• CT (Computed Tomography): Clearly shows hard tissues like bones and calcified areas. In Mr. A’s case, the CT scan revealed precisely where and how extensive the disc calcification was.

• Bone Images: Simplified images showing the alignment and shape of the vertebrae. These help understand any bone deformities and their relationship with calcification.

 

Why Is Easy Comparison Important?

When doctors explain, the technical terms and complex images can be overwhelming. If non-experts understand their own condition better, it helps them make informed decisions about treatment and lifestyle changes.

Therefore, I separated the CT, MRI, and bone images clearly and marked the locations of calcification with colors or arrows, so you can easily compare them at a glance.

 

Location of Lumbar Disc Calcification: A Comparative Analysis at a Glance

Location of Lumbar Disc Calcification: A Comparative Analysis at a Glance

Conclusion

Disc calcification in the lumbar spine is one of the causes of pain, so it is important to know its exact location and condition. By understanding the characteristics of CT, MRI, and bone images and using well-organized materials that make comparison easy, you can clearly grasp your own condition and pursue more effective treatment and management.

Disc Calcification and Nerve Irritation with Inflammation

Inflammatory Response of Disc Calcification

 

disc calcification

What is Disc Calcification?

The intervertebral disc is a jelly-like structure located between the vertebrae, serving as a cushion to absorb shock.
Calcification refers to the deposition of calcium in the disc tissue, making it hard and stiff.

 

Why Exercise Becomes Difficult

As we age, muscle mass naturally declines, making protein intake and exercise essential.
However, individuals with disc calcification often find exercise difficult.
Increased movement during exercise may cause the calcified areas to irritate surrounding tissues and nerves, triggering micro-inflammation.

 

Spreading Inflammation or Nerve Conduction Issues

As inflammation worsens, symptoms may extend from one leg to both.
It often starts with mild tingling in the opposite leg but can gradually worsen, affecting both sides.

 

Mistaking It for a Herniated Disc Recurrence

Inflammation can cause pain, numbness, sensory abnormalities, and even radiating pain — symptoms that closely resemble a herniated disc recurrence.
Many people undergo MRI scans expecting a recurrence, only to find no noticeable abnormalities.
In such cases, the inflammation is often caused by disc calcification rather than a new disc injury.
Those with disc calcification should always be aware that symptoms like pain, numbness, or radiating pain may stem from inflammation, not disc recurrence.

 

Treatment Comes Before Exercise

Continuing to exercise while inflammation is present can worsen the condition.
If inflammation occurs, stop exercising and begin treatment immediately.
Delaying or ignoring treatment may cause the calcified area to grow larger and result in more severe symptoms.

 

Caution Even After Treatment

Even if inflammation is fully treated, the calcium deposits remain.
This can make the area more sensitive than before.
As a result, the risk of recurrence increases, so lifestyle management is essential.

 

Common Symptoms of Disc Calcification

• Lower back pain or radiating pain extending from the hips to the legs

• Numbness, decreased sensation, or unusual sensations in the feet or toes

• Symptoms worsen when sitting or standing for long periods

• A feeling of leg weakness when walking

   

   

Activities and Exercises to Avoid with Disc Calcification

 

1. Bending or Twisting the Lower Back

   • Picking items off the floor, twisting motions

   • → Can increase spinal pressure and irritate nerves near calcified areas

      

2. Lifting Heavy Objects

   • Moving boxes, carrying groceries, lifting children

   • → Sudden pressure spikes in the disc may trigger inflammation

      

3. High-Intensity Lower Body Workouts

   • Squats, lunges, deadlifts

   • → Put strong pressure on the pelvis and lower back, increasing nerve friction

      

4. Cardio Exercises with Impact or Jumping

   • Jump rope, running, aerobics, hiking

   • → Increase disc shock and worsen pain or inflammation

      

5.  Prolonged Sitting or Standing

   • Long computer use, long-distance driving, standing-based jobs

   • → Sustained disc pressure → inflammation → increased numbness and pain

      

6.  Sudden Movements or Direction Changes

   • Standing up quickly, turning abruptly

   • → Can cause the calcified area to shift and irritate nerves

      

7. Excessive Backward Bending Stretches

   • Cobra pose (yoga), bridge pose

   • → Intensifies pressure on the back of the disc and can cause pain

      

Conclusion

Disc calcification is extremely difficult to treat.
Always prioritize inflammation management before attempting exercise, and maintain healthy daily habits to prevent symptom recurrence.