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Suggest Treatment For Lower Back Pain
Question: Hello Dr.
I have suffering from lower back pain since last 3-4 years.
Last week I had undergone thru. MRI scan and below are observations:
DISK bulges are seen at L4/5 and L5/S1 levels indenting the thecal sac without any nerve root compression.
Please suggest on further treatments.
I have suffering from lower back pain since last 3-4 years.
Last week I had undergone thru. MRI scan and below are observations:
DISK bulges are seen at L4/5 and L5/S1 levels indenting the thecal sac without any nerve root compression.
Please suggest on further treatments.
Brief Answer:
Degenerative disc disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
As per your MRI report, You have degenerative disc disease in lumbar spine. It is good that there is no nerve root compression right now.
It occurs due to repetitive overload or stress to the disc & it increases the risk of disc herniation & spinal canal stenosis.
For this condition you have to do stretching & strengthening exercises in which you have to stretch tight muscles & strengthen weakened ones which will alleviate stress on facet joint and disc.
- Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
- Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back
- Change your daily activities so that you avoid movements that can cause further pain, especially bending forward and lifting as it will worsen the disc protrusion. if you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.
- Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles
- Intermittent pelvic traction might be helpful to cause a regression of the protruded disc
- After the initial pain has subsided, remedial exercises to strengthen the spine are very important to restore normal spinal movements and muscle strength. The main aim of exercise is to encourage mobility, reduce muscle spasm, prevent further deterioration in the muscles and speed recovery.
- Use analgesics like advil or aleve and muscle relaxants to relieve pain and muscle spasm, as needed. You can get these prescribed from your orthopedician as per the need.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Degenerative disc disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
As per your MRI report, You have degenerative disc disease in lumbar spine. It is good that there is no nerve root compression right now.
It occurs due to repetitive overload or stress to the disc & it increases the risk of disc herniation & spinal canal stenosis.
For this condition you have to do stretching & strengthening exercises in which you have to stretch tight muscles & strengthen weakened ones which will alleviate stress on facet joint and disc.
- Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
- Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back
- Change your daily activities so that you avoid movements that can cause further pain, especially bending forward and lifting as it will worsen the disc protrusion. if you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.
- Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles
- Intermittent pelvic traction might be helpful to cause a regression of the protruded disc
- After the initial pain has subsided, remedial exercises to strengthen the spine are very important to restore normal spinal movements and muscle strength. The main aim of exercise is to encourage mobility, reduce muscle spasm, prevent further deterioration in the muscles and speed recovery.
- Use analgesics like advil or aleve and muscle relaxants to relieve pain and muscle spasm, as needed. You can get these prescribed from your orthopedician as per the need.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank a lot Dr. I am sure it will help me.
Some more details from MRI reports I want to share with you.
I think below are disc thikness that they have mentioned.
L1/L2: 1.93
L2/L3: 1.89
L3/L4: 1.47
L4/L5: 1.32
L5/S1: 1.11
Looking at above sizes what is the risk involved for L4/L5 and L5/S1 discs.
And what are the standard sizes of Discs should be there? And is there any technology or medications available to increase the disc size or thikness?
And is it possible now to decrease or remove the disc buldges that are seen in my case.
Thanks,
XXXX
Some more details from MRI reports I want to share with you.
I think below are disc thikness that they have mentioned.
L1/L2: 1.93
L2/L3: 1.89
L3/L4: 1.47
L4/L5: 1.32
L5/S1: 1.11
Looking at above sizes what is the risk involved for L4/L5 and L5/S1 discs.
And what are the standard sizes of Discs should be there? And is there any technology or medications available to increase the disc size or thikness?
And is it possible now to decrease or remove the disc buldges that are seen in my case.
Thanks,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Exercise will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
A lumbar disc thickness of more than 1cm is considered normal. In your L5/S1 vertebrae the disc size is almost normal. It is the herniation and the disc bulge that is causing the pain.
The disc space can be increased with proper regular back strengthening exercises and muscle relaxants. These can be corrected surgically in case there is acute nerve compression.
To decrease the disc bulge you need to have lumbar traction and regular physiotherapy sessions.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Exercise will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
A lumbar disc thickness of more than 1cm is considered normal. In your L5/S1 vertebrae the disc size is almost normal. It is the herniation and the disc bulge that is causing the pain.
The disc space can be increased with proper regular back strengthening exercises and muscle relaxants. These can be corrected surgically in case there is acute nerve compression.
To decrease the disc bulge you need to have lumbar traction and regular physiotherapy sessions.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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