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Suggest Treatment For Multiple Vertebral Issues

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Posted on Sat, 2 Apr 2016
Question: I have had nine back surgeries and am now fused from C5 thru S2. I have severe muscle spasms
that happen in different parts of my body at different times. There is a significant neuropathy
from my knees down. The spasms occur in my neck and I feel like I am being strangled. Spasms
travel up and down my back and upper legs. My abdominal travel form the top down and
bottom up. I take gabapentin 600mg four times a day. Also take Baclofen 20mg four times a day.
Do you know of any treatments that may help? I have tried PT, massage, water therapy and take
magnesium. Also the spasms mostly when up and around the house and rarely at night.
YYYY@YYYY XXXXXXX Hoover

doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Take steps as advised and upload reports

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
It's really sad to hear about nine spine surgeries.
What were the indications for such spine surgery?
Any history of trauma to spine?
Any disc disease or metabolic bone disorder?
Upload Mri reports and images if available.
What is the extent of involvement of spinal cord?
The treatment of pain and spinal flexor spasm is pain modulator drugs like pregabalin, gabapentin or amitryptiline. For flexor spasm baclofen is advocated and is being given in sufficient doses.
Other medications also belong to same group like tolperisone which may have similar effects with lesser sedation.
Physiotherapy is an important part of management.
Calcium and vitamin D supplementation can be added if deficient.
Surgical options are many involving, destruction of pain carrying path at nerve ganglia, Spinal cord or thalamus.
For such a therapy you need to discuss it with a pain specialist.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (33 minutes later)
Reasons for my spine problems started with a fall. I tripped over a rug at the hospital I worked
as a nurse. I shattered the navicular and the first cuneiform, tore cartilage in my knee and herniated
L4-5. This occurred in 1985. Over time I collapsed L5-S1. This started adjacent segment disorder.
I had a long fusion T10-S1. I developed scoliosis and osteoporosis classified severe. I fractured
T6 and T7 they both collapsed now fused to T4. Them I fell forward in kyphosis 95 degreeā€™s.
Now fused to C5.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Take treatment as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
These multiple vertebral issues are due to osteoporosis and require calcium, vitamin D and probable bisphonates.
Collapse and kyphosis both will lead to nerve compression.
It will be hard to get complete relief with medication and physiotherapy.
Surgical options as mentioned previously can be discussed with neurosurgeon and pain specialist.
Drug combination and increase in dose may be done as much as tolerable.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Neeraj Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2259 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Multiple Vertebral Issues

Brief Answer: Take steps as advised and upload reports Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. It's really sad to hear about nine spine surgeries. What were the indications for such spine surgery? Any history of trauma to spine? Any disc disease or metabolic bone disorder? Upload Mri reports and images if available. What is the extent of involvement of spinal cord? The treatment of pain and spinal flexor spasm is pain modulator drugs like pregabalin, gabapentin or amitryptiline. For flexor spasm baclofen is advocated and is being given in sufficient doses. Other medications also belong to same group like tolperisone which may have similar effects with lesser sedation. Physiotherapy is an important part of management. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation can be added if deficient. Surgical options are many involving, destruction of pain carrying path at nerve ganglia, Spinal cord or thalamus. For such a therapy you need to discuss it with a pain specialist. Hope you found the answer helpful. Do get back to me for further queries. Regards Dr N Kumar Neurologist