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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Bulging Discs And Curved Spine

I have been diagnosed with bulging discs and a curved spine also have had sciataca pain before. now, i have pain on the left side in the back from the ribs all the way down my leg. it was sudden and it has become worse since yesterday. It is a burning stinging itching wierd pain that I have never experienced before. it has become difficult to walk without my cane and also to get up and stand. it is made worseb through movement and ttouchingb the area.
Tue, 6 Sep 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello Dear. You are experiencing the pain due to disc prolapse.

Treatment for disc prolapse

1. Exercise and keep going:

Continue with normal activities as far as possible. This may not be possible at first if the pain is very bad. However, move around as soon as possible and get back into normal activities as soon as you are able. As a rule, don't do anything that causes a lot of pain. However, you will have to accept some discomfort when you are trying to keep active. Setting a new goal each day may be a good idea - for example, walking around the house on one day, a walk to the shops the next, etc.

In the past, advice had been to rest until the pain eases. It is now known that this was wrong. You are likely to recover more quickly and are less likely to develop persistent (chronic) back pain if you keep active when you have back pain rather than rest a lot. Also, sleep in the most naturally comfortable position on whatever is the most comfortable surface. (Advice given in the past used to be to sleep on a firm mattress. However, there is no evidence to say that a firm mattress is better than any other type of mattress for people with back pain.)

2. Medication

If you need painkillers, it is best to take them regularly. This is better than taking them now and again just when the pain is very bad. If you take them regularly the pain is more likely to be eased for much of the time, enabling you to exercise and keep active.

Paracetamol is often sufficient if you take it regularly at full strength. For an adult, this is 1000 mg (usually two 500 mg tablets), four times a day.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers. Some people find that these work better than paracetamol. They include ibuprofen which you can buy at pharmacies or obtain on prescription. Other types such as diclofenac or naproxen need a prescription. Some people with asthma, high blood pressure, kidney failure, or heart failure may not be able to take anti-inflammatories.

A stronger painkiller such as codeine is an option if anti-inflammatories do not suit or do not work well. Codeine is often taken in addition to paracetamol. Constipation is a common side-effect from codeine. This may make back pain worse if you need to strain to go to the toilet. To prevent constipation, have lots to drink and eat foods with plenty of fibre.
A muscle relaxant such as diazepam is sometimes prescribed for a few days if the back muscles become very tense and make the pain worse.

3. Physical treatments

Some people visit a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath for manipulation and/or other physical treatments. It is debatable whether physical treatments would help all people with a 'slipped' (prolapsed) disc. However, physical treatments provide some short-term comfort and hasten recovery in some cases.

4. Surgery

Surgery may be an option in some cases. As a rule, surgery may be considered if the symptoms have not settled after about six weeks or so. This is the minority of cases as, in about 9 in 10 cases, the symptoms have eased off and are not bad enough to warrant surgery within about six weeks.

The aim of surgery is to cut out the prolapsed part of the disc. This often eases symptoms. However, it does not work in every case. Also, as with all operations, there is a risk from surgery. A specialist will advise on the pros and cons of surgery and on the different techniques that are available.

5. Prevention of further bouts of back pain and/or prolapsed disc

Evidence suggests that the best way to prevent bouts of back pain and 'slipped' (prolapsed) disc is simply to keep active and to exercise regularly. This means general fitness exercise such as walking, running, swimming, etc. There is no firm evidence to say that any particular back strengthening exercises are more useful than simply keeping fit and active. It is also sensible to be back-aware. For example, do not lift objects when you are in an awkward twisting posture.

Kindly consult an orthopedician who may suggest you the best treatment among the ones i suggested

Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini
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Suggest Treatment For Bulging Discs And Curved Spine

Hello Dear. You are experiencing the pain due to disc prolapse. Treatment for disc prolapse 1. Exercise and keep going: Continue with normal activities as far as possible. This may not be possible at first if the pain is very bad. However, move around as soon as possible and get back into normal activities as soon as you are able. As a rule, don t do anything that causes a lot of pain. However, you will have to accept some discomfort when you are trying to keep active. Setting a new goal each day may be a good idea - for example, walking around the house on one day, a walk to the shops the next, etc. In the past, advice had been to rest until the pain eases. It is now known that this was wrong. You are likely to recover more quickly and are less likely to develop persistent (chronic) back pain if you keep active when you have back pain rather than rest a lot. Also, sleep in the most naturally comfortable position on whatever is the most comfortable surface. (Advice given in the past used to be to sleep on a firm mattress. However, there is no evidence to say that a firm mattress is better than any other type of mattress for people with back pain.) 2. Medication If you need painkillers, it is best to take them regularly. This is better than taking them now and again just when the pain is very bad. If you take them regularly the pain is more likely to be eased for much of the time, enabling you to exercise and keep active. Paracetamol is often sufficient if you take it regularly at full strength. For an adult, this is 1000 mg (usually two 500 mg tablets), four times a day. Anti-inflammatory painkillers. Some people find that these work better than paracetamol. They include ibuprofen which you can buy at pharmacies or obtain on prescription. Other types such as diclofenac or naproxen need a prescription. Some people with asthma, high blood pressure, kidney failure, or heart failure may not be able to take anti-inflammatories. A stronger painkiller such as codeine is an option if anti-inflammatories do not suit or do not work well. Codeine is often taken in addition to paracetamol. Constipation is a common side-effect from codeine. This may make back pain worse if you need to strain to go to the toilet. To prevent constipation, have lots to drink and eat foods with plenty of fibre. A muscle relaxant such as diazepam is sometimes prescribed for a few days if the back muscles become very tense and make the pain worse. 3. Physical treatments Some people visit a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath for manipulation and/or other physical treatments. It is debatable whether physical treatments would help all people with a slipped (prolapsed) disc. However, physical treatments provide some short-term comfort and hasten recovery in some cases. 4. Surgery Surgery may be an option in some cases. As a rule, surgery may be considered if the symptoms have not settled after about six weeks or so. This is the minority of cases as, in about 9 in 10 cases, the symptoms have eased off and are not bad enough to warrant surgery within about six weeks. The aim of surgery is to cut out the prolapsed part of the disc. This often eases symptoms. However, it does not work in every case. Also, as with all operations, there is a risk from surgery. A specialist will advise on the pros and cons of surgery and on the different techniques that are available. 5. Prevention of further bouts of back pain and/or prolapsed disc Evidence suggests that the best way to prevent bouts of back pain and slipped (prolapsed) disc is simply to keep active and to exercise regularly. This means general fitness exercise such as walking, running, swimming, etc. There is no firm evidence to say that any particular back strengthening exercises are more useful than simply keeping fit and active. It is also sensible to be back-aware. For example, do not lift objects when you are in an awkward twisting posture. Kindly consult an orthopedician who may suggest you the best treatment among the ones i suggested Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you. All the best With warm regards Dr Sanjay Kini