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Suggest Treatment To Cure Pain Due To Lumbar Canal Stenosis
Question: The complaint is:
1. Pain in the lower back, radiating down to both buttocks;
2.Pain upon standing for 5 minutes, walking for ten minutes.
3. Pain has recurred after a gap of 17 years, earlier treated with pain killers/physiotherapy and, finally, with yoga therapy.
The diagnosis, after an MRI, is lumbar canal stenosis.
After seeing the MRI, a spinal surgeon has :
1. informed that there is a clear block of the lumbar canal, which cannot be cured by medicines or exercise;
2.suggested decompression, with the aid of microscope, as a remedy. Would a neuro surgeon follow a different procedure? What are the benefits, and risks involved, in either procedure?
Brief Answer:
Neurosurgeon would also do the same surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms, MRI findings and the doctor's opinions.
Looking at your disability, surgery (lumbar canal decompression) seems to be the best option.
Pain killers, physiotherapy, rest, epidural injections, etc would all give you only partial or temporary benefit.
A spine surgeon, orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon would all do the same surgery.
Benefits of surgery would include improvement in pain and you would be able to stand and walk.
Minor risks of surgery include infection or bleeding at the site of surgery and slight risk of nerve damage.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Which of the surgeons viz. spine surgeon, orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon would, in your view, be best qualified/experienced to manage the risk of nerve damage?
Brief Answer:
Neurosurgeon would be the best.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Neurosurgeon would be the most qualified and experienced to do the best surgery in your case. This is because they receive the detailed training about the nervous system in general, and also they do more spine surgeries than the other two.
There is no training as such called "spine surgery". So, most "spine" surgeons are either orthopedic or neuro surgeons.
In conclusion, neurosurgeon would be the best choice in your case.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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