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Has Severe Hand Pain. Had MRI Scans Of Back. What Re The Findings?
Hi,
My dad has severe left hand pain.In MRI scans it has a impression "disc dessication with diffuse disc bulge causing thecal indentation and B/L lateralrecess narrowing at the level of C5-6." wat does this means..
he needs a surery or any other treatment available for this .Currently he is using some medicines....
My dad has severe left hand pain.In MRI scans it has a impression "disc dessication with diffuse disc bulge causing thecal indentation and B/L lateralrecess narrowing at the level of C5-6." wat does this means..
he needs a surery or any other treatment available for this .Currently he is using some medicines....
Sat, 21 Sep 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
The MRI findings suggest that an intervertebral disc at the level of C5-C6 is protruded causing compression over the nerves at the level resulting in pain in the left hand.
The initial management is always conservative by the following means -
* Soft Collar: Soft collar allow the muscles of the neck to rest and limit neck motion. This can help decrease pinching of nerve roots with movement. Soft collars should only be worn for short periods of time, because long-term wear can decrease the strength of neck muscles.
* Medicines: Analgesic are needed in the acute phase. Muscle relaxants are essential for relieving muscle spasms once the acute pain subsides. Neurotropic vitamins like METHYLCOBALAMINE (activated Vit B12) or PREGABALIN will help in alleviating the neuropathic pain.
* Cervical traction: may enlarge the disc space, permitting the prolapse to subside. Intermittent cervical traction for not more than 30 minutes at a time. Weight upto 8kg can be added.
* Physiotherapy: Once the acute phase of pain has subsided, Isometric strengthening exercises of the paravertebral muscles are started. Improving neck strength and flexibility with simple exercises may lessen discomfort and pain. Moist heat can be useful
* Epidural steroids: are useful for patients with severe radicular pains in the limbs. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory preparation and so its injections in the "epidural space" can decrease swelling as well as pain.
If the symptoms do not resolve with the above measures, then you may need a surgical decompression.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
The MRI findings suggest that an intervertebral disc at the level of C5-C6 is protruded causing compression over the nerves at the level resulting in pain in the left hand.
The initial management is always conservative by the following means -
* Soft Collar: Soft collar allow the muscles of the neck to rest and limit neck motion. This can help decrease pinching of nerve roots with movement. Soft collars should only be worn for short periods of time, because long-term wear can decrease the strength of neck muscles.
* Medicines: Analgesic are needed in the acute phase. Muscle relaxants are essential for relieving muscle spasms once the acute pain subsides. Neurotropic vitamins like METHYLCOBALAMINE (activated Vit B12) or PREGABALIN will help in alleviating the neuropathic pain.
* Cervical traction: may enlarge the disc space, permitting the prolapse to subside. Intermittent cervical traction for not more than 30 minutes at a time. Weight upto 8kg can be added.
* Physiotherapy: Once the acute phase of pain has subsided, Isometric strengthening exercises of the paravertebral muscles are started. Improving neck strength and flexibility with simple exercises may lessen discomfort and pain. Moist heat can be useful
* Epidural steroids: are useful for patients with severe radicular pains in the limbs. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory preparation and so its injections in the "epidural space" can decrease swelling as well as pain.
If the symptoms do not resolve with the above measures, then you may need a surgical decompression.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
I find this answer helpful
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
The MRI findings of your dad suggest that he is having disc disease in the cervical spine column. There is loss of water (dessication) and the disc is pushed causing a disc bulge at C5 C6 level. This means that the bulging disc is causing pressure effect on the lateral recesses through which the nerve roots pass. It is important to note that the problem is affecting both sides but he is having severe pain only on left side. This is because the nerve root on left side is compressed more.
Medicines and physiotherapy are the first line of treatment. If the pain is severe and after neurosurgical consultation and initial treatment, the surgeon feels necessary, a surgical treatment can be offered.
Hope this helps
Thanks for writing in to us.
The MRI findings of your dad suggest that he is having disc disease in the cervical spine column. There is loss of water (dessication) and the disc is pushed causing a disc bulge at C5 C6 level. This means that the bulging disc is causing pressure effect on the lateral recesses through which the nerve roots pass. It is important to note that the problem is affecting both sides but he is having severe pain only on left side. This is because the nerve root on left side is compressed more.
Medicines and physiotherapy are the first line of treatment. If the pain is severe and after neurosurgical consultation and initial treatment, the surgeon feels necessary, a surgical treatment can be offered.
Hope this helps
I find this answer helpful
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