Herniated Disk

Q: I have had lower back pain on and off many years. Last month, the pain spread into my left leg, and my doctor told me I have a slipped disk. The pain is almost gone after bed rest, but I would like to know what is meant by a slipped disk and whether surgery will be necessary.A: Between the bones of your spine are disks that act as shock absorbers. They are flat pads, about 1 3/4 -inch thick, with a ring of tough connective tissue (cartilage) covering a soft jellylike center called the nucleus pulposus.

After an automobile accident that fractured my sternum and ribs and resulted in a herniated disk, I searched diligently for pain relief. Conventional over-the-counter pain relievers all had side effects. Then I discovered that evening primrose oil provided the pain relief I needed, with no bad reactions. Additional benefits include stopping hair loss. Since then I have found that my two cats will stop eating to have their daily dose of evening primrose oil. Their fur is very beautiful, and they don't shed nearly as much as they did before.

Encouraged by his back's response to treatment and recent workouts, third baseman Cal Ripken said yesterday that he is hopeful of leaving the disabled list during the Orioles' 10-game road trip, which begins tonight in Detroit. Ripken met with general manager Frank Wren before yesterday's game and plans to have a follow-up discussion today.Limited to eight starts this season, Ripken has been on the disabled list retroactive to April 18 after "nerve irritation" forced him to leave the team in Toronto during its last road trip.

Washington Redskins coach Richie Petitbon, faced with a threat from Wilber Marshall to sit out the season because he is unhappy with his "franchise" player designation, said yesterday that he is preparing to go without Marshall."

The New York Yankees and Brien Taylor ended their stalemate last night when the nation's No. 1 draft pick signed a minor-league contract only hours before a final deadline.Taylor, selected in June after his senior year in high school, was scheduled to begin classes at Louisburg, N.C., Junior College at 8:40 a.m. today. If the 18-year-old pitcher had started school, major-league rules would have prohibited the Yankees from negotiating with him again until after Louisburg's baseball season ended in May.Terms of the contract were not disclosed, although it was estimated to be worth $1 million for three years.

BaseballGiants: Put P Rich DeLucia on rehab assignment with Single-A San Jose.Mariners: Placed P Bobby Ayala on 15-day DL after he cut pitching hand and wrist, reportedly while punching hotel room window. Called up P Rafael Carmona from Triple-A Tacoma.Marlins: Claimed OF Marquis Riley off waivers from Angels and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. Designated P Robbie Beckett for assignment.Royals: Acquired free-agent OF Lamar Rackley; assigned him to Single-A Wilmington.Tigers: Optioned P Clint Sodowsky to Triple-A Toledo.

Baseball California Angels -- Agreed to minor-league contracts with former Baltimore Orioles IF Rene Gonzales (.195, 1 HR, 16 RBI for Toronto Blue Jays) and P Neil Allen.Colorado Rockies -- Signed OF Troy Ricker.New York Yankees -- Traded 2B Steve Sax (.304, 10 HRs, 56 RBI) to the Chicago White Sox for P Melido Perez (8-7, 3.12), P Robert Wickman and P Domingo Jean.St. Louis Cardinals -- Agreed to a 1-year contract with P Todd Worrell (hasn't pitched since 1989 because of elbow and shoulder ailments)

Phillies president Bill Giles said yesterday that he thinks Philadelphia has a 50-50 chance of signing free-agent Bobby Bonilla.Giles and general manager Lee Thomas courted Bonilla and agent Dennis Gilbert for five hours Saturday. They toured the area to show off housing and schools, stopped by Lenny Dykstra's home and spoke on the telephone with manager Jim Fregosi."He liked the city, liked Lee, liked Fregosi, liked the ballclub," Giles said. "If the money is equal, I think we have a 50-50 chance of getting him."

Seven-time All-Star pitcher Dave Stieb of the Toronto Blue Jays has a herniated disk that is causing sciatica, club officials said.Stieb, who has not pitched since May 22, is not expected to pitch again until late in the season, perhaps returning in time to make five or so starts, a club spokesman said.Stieb (4-3) was placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 23 due to a shoulder problem. He began experiencing back pain June 6 and underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging exam Tuesday.* CARDINALS: First baseman Pedro Guerrero was ordered to face trial in a paternity suit filed by a woman claiming he fathered her 3-year-old son.Loretta Pereira, who said she and Guerrero became involved while he was married, is seeking at least $3,000 a month child support for her son, Peter "Pedro" Pereira-Guerrero.

Some notes from Buck Showalter's news conference this afternoon: Showalter said Chris Tillman will see Dr. John Wilckens today to have his right elbow re-examined. A MRI showed an inflamed ulnar nerve, but no ligament damage. Tillman said he has had no pain in the elbow since Sunday night; he was taken out of Sunday's game for precautionary reasons. If Wilckens clears Tillman, the right-hander will play catch either today or Friday, Showalter said. His regular start has been skipped, but Showalter, at this point, did not rule out Tillman pitching in the four-game Yankee series.