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Suggest Treatment For Lower Back Pain

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Posted on Mon, 10 Aug 2015
Question: My 99 year old Mother is having pain in lower back causing her difficulty raising herself up without help and walking. She does have severe arthritis in her knees needing total knee replacements, but will not do at this stage of life. She is a country bumpkin that does not believe in doctors and I believe is scared of them.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Surgery is not an option but meds are

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad, I have read your question in detail, I understand your concern and will try to help you in the best possible way.

At this age it is not a good idea to replace a knee because patient doesnr recover well and is quite weak to bear the toll of such a major surgery.

Here in your mother's XXXXXXX you can do one thing that you can persuade and counsel her to visit a doctor, to alleviate her fears you will have to talk to her and tell her that she will get benefitted by the meds she is going to ger from the doctor , don't panic take your time to make her mind for good.



In order to help you better , I would like you to give me some more information,

1) Did she visit a doctor lately?(how did you knkw she had artheritis and needs surgery?)
2) Since when this problem started is she gradually getting worsened?
3) How is her general health?
4) are there any other issues like diabetes..high blood pressure?


Waiting for your input


Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.

M.B.B.S ( Licensed Family practitioner)

Resident M.D.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (26 minutes later)
She has had this knee problem for the last 15+ years. As for getting up without help it just started yesterday. As far as I'm aware there are no other health problems. What can I do to alleviate the pain in the lower back? She does have a bit of forgetfulness, but at this age, I guess I should too.
Oops, the answer to the first ?, yes she has been receiving supartz shots regularly.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There are a few things to be done

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing back,

There are few things which we have to consider in your mother's case.
1) Her age:
she is obviously in the age where deterioration is going to be expected. But as you said the problem arose just yesterday and mostly that is because of the back pain, so most probably she is having a muscle spasm which is creating her problems.

2) Her arthritis:
Although she is receiving a very effective medication (Supartz) but you can discuss with her doctor about other meds which will help her on day to day basis to relieve pain better than tylenol and reduce joint stiffness due to arthritis.

I would also like to discuss with her doctor about running her vitamin D and calcium level tests to see if they are appropriate, in this age may be she will need some additional intake.

For the time being I would suggest you a few things to give her better relief.

1) Rest.
2) Warm compresses at the area will help relieve the spasm and stiffness.
3) Rub voltral, brufen or voren gel/cream thrice a day over pain areas.
4) You can use brufen tablet in case of pain sometimes it shows better result in neuromuscular pains.
5) You can take consult by a physiotherapist,that might help her joints to loosen up a bit.
6) Keep her mentally motivated to keep her losing her heart.
7) Start using a good calcium vitamin D supplement.
8) Centrum for women is a good multi vitamin to be used every second third day to help counter weakness and age related changes.

Hopefully things will improve in some time.

I Hope this answers your question, if your have more queries feel free to ask, otherwise close the discussion and rate it. Wish you the best of health.



Regards,

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.(Licensed Family Physician)

M.B.B.S.

Resident M.D.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Muhammad Ahmad

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1308 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Lower Back Pain

Brief Answer: Surgery is not an option but meds are Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to Health Care Magic. I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad, I have read your question in detail, I understand your concern and will try to help you in the best possible way. At this age it is not a good idea to replace a knee because patient doesnr recover well and is quite weak to bear the toll of such a major surgery. Here in your mother's XXXXXXX you can do one thing that you can persuade and counsel her to visit a doctor, to alleviate her fears you will have to talk to her and tell her that she will get benefitted by the meds she is going to ger from the doctor , don't panic take your time to make her mind for good. In order to help you better , I would like you to give me some more information, 1) Did she visit a doctor lately?(how did you knkw she had artheritis and needs surgery?) 2) Since when this problem started is she gradually getting worsened? 3) How is her general health? 4) are there any other issues like diabetes..high blood pressure? Waiting for your input Regards. Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. M.B.B.S ( Licensed Family practitioner) Resident M.D.