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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Lower Back Pain. Had Knee Pain And Disc Problem. MRI Came Normal. Cure?

Hi sir, I have lower back problem and had knee pain at the same time. Also had numbness in the last two fingers of my right side of the body. Went doctors and tested for lime disease and took MRI in India. Nothing came up bad as they saw in the result. But now I kind of researched myself and with others experiences I came to know myself that I had l5 t1 disc problem and c5 c6 disc problem. Been suffered for 5 years. Now have to go check with MRI this month. But I prefer non surgical treatment. I need more sujjestions front you sir Thank you, Sam YYYY@YYYY Age-35 Female
Mon, 26 Aug 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,
As you had spine problems in lumbo-sacral and cervical region, if there is no marked osteo-artheritis problem, physiotherapy will be much helpful.
Go for cervical traction, short way diathermy, neck muscle exercise and back extension exercise.
This will give good relief.
Take calcium, vitamin A and D supplements.
Ok and take care.
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Spine Surgeon Dr. Niranjan Kavadi's  Response
Hi Sam
Thank you for your question.

If the MRI shows disc protrusions compressing the nerves that correlates with your symptoms the first line of treatment is always non surgical and that works for most of the patients. Different nonoperative options are

1 Over the counter pain medications
2 Nerve specific medications like pregabalin or gabapentin
3 Physiotherapy with structured muscle strengthening and stretching program
4 Epidural injections- injections in the spine which are directed close to the nerves to enhance pain relief.

You can discuss these options with a neurologist or a spine surgeon.

Wish you the best.
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1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad's  Response
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.

As you have numbness in two fingers ,it suggests cervical disc disease with radiculopathy.

The conservative management of cervical disc disease is as follows -

* 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 your symptoms are not improving with the above measures, then you may need surgical decompression.

Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement Dr. Saurabh Gupta's  Response
Hi,

Your problem seems to be related to compression of nerve root by protruded disc. It is better to go for a Recent MRI to see the severity of compression over nerve roots by disc and other degenerative changes in disc.you must avoid any activity that aggravates the condition, like bending forward and lifting heavy objects, sitting long hours on computer, inappropriate sitting posture, etc.
The medications will relieve pain and help muscles to relax. Physiotherapy shall also help a lot, especially exercises that strengthen your back. Kindly note that exercises should only be done when it doesn't hurt. Adequate rest and proper nutrition is equally important. Drink lots of fluids since dehydration affects the disc.



I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
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Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
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Have Lower Back Pain. Had Knee Pain And Disc Problem. MRI Came Normal. Cure?

Hi, As you had spine problems in lumbo-sacral and cervical region, if there is no marked osteo-artheritis problem, physiotherapy will be much helpful. Go for cervical traction, short way diathermy, neck muscle exercise and back extension exercise. This will give good relief. Take calcium, vitamin A and D supplements. Ok and take care.