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What Does Extensive Atherosclerotic Calcification Mean?
Question: Good morning. I have severe pain in my lower left back. My doctor's diagnosis after CTI was "extensive atherosclerotic calcification" among other lesser issues. I plan on calling him this morning, but would like to become as educated as possible (for a non-professional) as possible.
Brief Answer:
Disc degeneraton
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand what you are going currently going through.
By Atherosclerotic calcification what your doctor means to say is that the feeding lumbar blood vessels and middle sacral vessel from descending aorta that supplies blood to the lumbar spine (lower back) are obstructed due to calcium deposited in the walls of the blood vessels. This is not surprising for nearing octagenarian. These are age related changes and clog the feeding vessels (smaller diameter).
You should ask your doctor about the following:
1) What percentage of the vessels are clogged or blocked. It can be known by few tests.
2) Pain management with or without opioid medicines. Is there an option of self administered pain medicine.
3) Exercise therapy or physical rehabilitation
4) Alternative therapy with out taking opioid pain medicines
like Accupressure, Accupuncture, Chiropractice etc.
I do not suggest any intervention here, I mean surgery which may not improve the quality of life years.
Let me know after speaking to your doctor.
Disc degeneraton
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand what you are going currently going through.
By Atherosclerotic calcification what your doctor means to say is that the feeding lumbar blood vessels and middle sacral vessel from descending aorta that supplies blood to the lumbar spine (lower back) are obstructed due to calcium deposited in the walls of the blood vessels. This is not surprising for nearing octagenarian. These are age related changes and clog the feeding vessels (smaller diameter).
You should ask your doctor about the following:
1) What percentage of the vessels are clogged or blocked. It can be known by few tests.
2) Pain management with or without opioid medicines. Is there an option of self administered pain medicine.
3) Exercise therapy or physical rehabilitation
4) Alternative therapy with out taking opioid pain medicines
like Accupressure, Accupuncture, Chiropractice etc.
I do not suggest any intervention here, I mean surgery which may not improve the quality of life years.
Let me know after speaking to your doctor.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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