HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Can Worsening Of Spinal Stenosis Be Avoided And Treated?

Posted on Mon, 6 Feb 2017

Question: I have a history of spinal stenosis and maintain the pain with methadone and Vicodin. Yesterday morning I woke up with my upper right side in severe pain it felt like I had been hit. I took my meds as normal and the pain eventually went away and I was able to be active during the most of the rest of the day. This morning I woke with the same pain in addition to that there's numbness in my upper thigh and it extends from my right hip to my knee and it aches very badly feels numb to the touch so I need some advice of what this might be.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Worsening of spinal stenosis to consider.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Worsening of spinal stenosis, or a new herniated disc of lumbar spine should be considered in your case.

It is necessary to get a new evaluation with imaging studies ( MRI ) of your lumbar spine in order to get a correct understanding of your current condition.

After this evaluation, a new treatment strategy should be discussed.

Discuss with your Doctor about these issues.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (6 days later)

I feel that thanks is in order yet having serious difficulties w/the local Dr s. I agree an MRI is where I need to venture. My current symptoms are persistent for a week now. This is a recurring sevear pain in my thigh that just won't go away. The pain level gets to a level 10, waking me up @ 2:am. I'm losing sleep and absent of possible remedies. My last Dr visit was fruitless as I tried to up my pain meds. Seems drinking milk retroacts the methadone I am percribed, and was refused any more due to a piss test that came out negative as I discovered that drink if milk nullified earlier dosage that very morning!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
A new MRI will asses your current spine condition.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Yes, a new MRI of your lumbar spine is necessary to asses correctly your current condition..

If progression of spinal stenosis is found, I suggest you to consider decompressive surgery.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (39 hours later)

Through the week of miserable pain, I figured out that what is going on with my thigh. I seemingly have a muscle that is locked up. I have tried to relax it w/cyclobenzaprine and bannas to quiet it down; and massaging the tight muscle hasn't worked as well. Please assist.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stretching exercises, warm procedures and muscles relaxing drugs.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Muscle being locked up, or spasmed is best relieved by stretching and application of warm procedures on it.

Stretching exercises such XXXXXXX exercises for example may help you.

Use of muscles relaxer drugs such Baclofen also may be necessary.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy