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Suggest Treatment For Hereniated Disc

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Posted on Mon, 23 Jun 2014
Question: I have a hereniated disc should I have surgery
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can you upload your results and answer these q's

Detailed Answer:
Hi, i assume that you know about the herniated disc from an MRI. Can you upload the MRI? Also Have you been suffering from backpain?

There are unfortunately many many causes of Back pain. So to try and make our discussion useful to you and narrow down the possibilities I would like you to try and answer the following questions to the best of your knowledge. The more information you can give me the more useful I can be to you.

1. How did the pain start? When did it start? Was it sudden or gradual?

2. Does the pain have a pattern? For instance its it worse in the morning and gets better through the day?

3. Can you describe where in the back the pain starts? Does it move to other places or does it stay in one place?

4. When you bend forward or backward, does the pain change in any way?

5. What brings on or increases your pain and what makes you feel better? This includes whether you feel better with activity or with rest.

6. Do you have any related symptoms, such as leg pain, weakness, or numbness; or problems with your bowels or bladder.

7. Do you know if you have had any spine problems since birth (congenital spine problems).

8. Have you ever been diagnosed with any type of arthritis?

9. Have you ever injured your back?

10. Last but certainly not least, do you smoke?

If you don't have pain, then can you describe why you got tested in the first place?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (8 minutes later)
the pain had been there for some years it radiates in my butt and down my legs
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can you upload your scans?

Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for following up. So from what I understand. The pain starts in your back, radiates down your butt into your legs. Does this happen all the time? Does it get worse when you stand?

Also, could you upload the scan that shows the herniated disc?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (7 minutes later)
all the time
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Sounds pretty bad

Detailed Answer:
Hi, definitely sound like the pain is clinically significant. Now to decide on whether to have surgery or not depends on if the herniated disc that has been detected ias actually pressing on a nerve that matches the pain your are suffering from.

You've said that the pain radiates through the butt. That sound like anything from the L5 spinal nerve to the S2 spinal nerve. If the disc that is bulging is bulging into any of THESE nerves... then surgery makes sense. If the disc isn't touching those nerves... then we need to look deeper into the problem. That is why i am asking for a scan. If you haven't had one done yet... then tell your doctor to order a Lumbar MRI for you as soon as possible.

Hope this helps,

Vinay

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (5 minutes later)
the doctor said its pressing on my nerve
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
If thats what the doctor says, then OK

Detailed Answer:
Hi, So i guess that if that is what your doctor is saying then I would have to agree. I can't independently give you any information though since you haven't given me the scans etc. But if the doctor believes that the disc is pressing on the nerve.. then that's the exact indication for decompression surgery.

Hope this helps
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 544 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Hereniated Disc

Brief Answer: Can you upload your results and answer these q's Detailed Answer: Hi, i assume that you know about the herniated disc from an MRI. Can you upload the MRI? Also Have you been suffering from backpain? There are unfortunately many many causes of Back pain. So to try and make our discussion useful to you and narrow down the possibilities I would like you to try and answer the following questions to the best of your knowledge. The more information you can give me the more useful I can be to you. 1. How did the pain start? When did it start? Was it sudden or gradual? 2. Does the pain have a pattern? For instance its it worse in the morning and gets better through the day? 3. Can you describe where in the back the pain starts? Does it move to other places or does it stay in one place? 4. When you bend forward or backward, does the pain change in any way? 5. What brings on or increases your pain and what makes you feel better? This includes whether you feel better with activity or with rest. 6. Do you have any related symptoms, such as leg pain, weakness, or numbness; or problems with your bowels or bladder. 7. Do you know if you have had any spine problems since birth (congenital spine problems). 8. Have you ever been diagnosed with any type of arthritis? 9. Have you ever injured your back? 10. Last but certainly not least, do you smoke? If you don't have pain, then can you describe why you got tested in the first place?