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Suggest Treatment For Back Pain While Having Degenerative Disc Disease
Question: I am seeking an orthopedic doctor to answer this question. I was told years ago I have cervical stenosis and herniated disc. For years I'm ok sometimes flare up but nothing major. Now for three weeks I have lumbar bottom back pain almost at tail end and sometimes when I move feel like I pulled something toward right side buttock. I saw orthopedic dr who said just lose weight and move move move don't sit so much at work. Didn't even a xray and he had one in the office. Just made me do some moves in front of him. I tried bengay heat pads nothing works
Brief Answer:
Possible lumbar spondylosis?.Require MRI scan for definitive diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your query in detail.
You possibly seem to have progressive degenerative disc disease.
This is now causing discomfort in the lumbar region.
Weight reduction and Physical therapy alone does not help.
It's very important that you get an MRI spine at the earliest to determine the degree of nerve compression
caused by degenerative discs in the spinal cord.
X ray is not helpful in assess the severity and further plan of action.
Please check with your orthopedic surgeon if he shares my view and if can prescribe this investigation to you.
Post your further questions if any.
Thank you.
Possible lumbar spondylosis?.Require MRI scan for definitive diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Madam
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your query in detail.
You possibly seem to have progressive degenerative disc disease.
This is now causing discomfort in the lumbar region.
Weight reduction and Physical therapy alone does not help.
It's very important that you get an MRI spine at the earliest to determine the degree of nerve compression
caused by degenerative discs in the spinal cord.
X ray is not helpful in assess the severity and further plan of action.
Please check with your orthopedic surgeon if he shares my view and if can prescribe this investigation to you.
Post your further questions if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
I walk perfectly fine and I am not crying or screaming in pain but if I do get MRI what can be done for degenerative compression as u mention? People say surgery should be the last resort
Brief Answer:
Physiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back.
If MRI shows mild nerve compression, physiotherapy would be best management.
If the nerve compression is too severe then surgery at the earliest is the only way.
Regards,
Physiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back.
If MRI shows mild nerve compression, physiotherapy would be best management.
If the nerve compression is too severe then surgery at the earliest is the only way.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
You don't explain things thoroughly why is that? What is physiotherapy? Also if nerve compression is severe what should I be feeling by now and to what extent would surgery help?
Brief Answer:
Surgery can offer near total relief.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Madam.
If nerve compression is severe it's advisable to a decompression surgery like Laminectomy.
This will offer near permanent relief.
Physiotherapy includes routine muscle stretching exercises and wax bath sessions which can be helpful only in early cases of nerve compression.
A severe compression can present with frequent pains in the lumbar region and buttocks.
Likewise, it also results in tingling sensation and paraesthesia of the feet.
Post your further questions if any.
Thank you.
Surgery can offer near total relief.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Madam.
If nerve compression is severe it's advisable to a decompression surgery like Laminectomy.
This will offer near permanent relief.
Physiotherapy includes routine muscle stretching exercises and wax bath sessions which can be helpful only in early cases of nerve compression.
A severe compression can present with frequent pains in the lumbar region and buttocks.
Likewise, it also results in tingling sensation and paraesthesia of the feet.
Post your further questions if any.
Thank you.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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