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Suggest Treatment For Back Pain Due To Disc Bulge
Question: Hi,
a) I started having back pain two months back.
b) Thereafter I got an X-Ray done which was found to be ok.
c) I was on Powergesic and Sompraz for 2 weeks.
d) I had got a CT Done yesterday.
e) CT report has indicated a minor Disc Bulge.
Please advise how should I progress with future treatment?
Also:
a) Whats would be best to recover , sitting on chair, lying on bed or keep walking
b) I play lawn tennis daily but I have stopped for past 1 month. How much time should I avoid lawn tennis?
c) I use a heat pad , vibration massager and LP support Belt as required. Would you caution for using any of these products?
d) Please advise for how much time I should avoid Bike riding?
Any other suggestions please advise.
Thanks and Regards,
XXXX
a) I started having back pain two months back.
b) Thereafter I got an X-Ray done which was found to be ok.
c) I was on Powergesic and Sompraz for 2 weeks.
d) I had got a CT Done yesterday.
e) CT report has indicated a minor Disc Bulge.
Please advise how should I progress with future treatment?
Also:
a) Whats would be best to recover , sitting on chair, lying on bed or keep walking
b) I play lawn tennis daily but I have stopped for past 1 month. How much time should I avoid lawn tennis?
c) I use a heat pad , vibration massager and LP support Belt as required. Would you caution for using any of these products?
d) Please advise for how much time I should avoid Bike riding?
Any other suggestions please advise.
Thanks and Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Lumbar belt good idea, CT does not show the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hell XXXX, Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic.
I have looked over your uploaded images and I concur with the radiologist report. but the problem is that the imaging that was done is woefully inadequate here. I really wish they had opted for MRI.
Anyways. Given your history, I want to ask a few follow up questions.
1) Can you tell me how the pain started? This includes whether it was sudden or gradual.
2) Pattern, intensity, and duration of the current episode of low back pain?
3) What brings on or increases your pain and what makes you feel better? Like whether you feel better with activity or with rest.
4) Do you have any other symptoms, such as leg pain, weakness, or numbness; or problems with your bowels or bladder?
5) Have you had any previous episodes of low back pain and treatment?
6) Any previous accidents or injuries involving the back?
7) Your height and weight?
8) Do you smoke? If so, how many a day and for how long?
Based on the information you give me, we can move forward.
I look forward to your reply. Thanks again
Vinay
Lumbar belt good idea, CT does not show the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hell XXXX, Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic.
I have looked over your uploaded images and I concur with the radiologist report. but the problem is that the imaging that was done is woefully inadequate here. I really wish they had opted for MRI.
Anyways. Given your history, I want to ask a few follow up questions.
1) Can you tell me how the pain started? This includes whether it was sudden or gradual.
2) Pattern, intensity, and duration of the current episode of low back pain?
3) What brings on or increases your pain and what makes you feel better? Like whether you feel better with activity or with rest.
4) Do you have any other symptoms, such as leg pain, weakness, or numbness; or problems with your bowels or bladder?
5) Have you had any previous episodes of low back pain and treatment?
6) Any previous accidents or injuries involving the back?
7) Your height and weight?
8) Do you smoke? If so, how many a day and for how long?
Based on the information you give me, we can move forward.
I look forward to your reply. Thanks again
Vinay
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi,
Yes I could not get an MRI done because I have a clipped Brain Anuerysm for which my Nuero Physician suggested not to risk with a MRI. (Although I still have to get a confirmation on this. I suspect the clip is MRI compatible)
1) I think the pain started when I got up from Sleep. Not anything sudden.
2) Duration is continuos. With adequate rest the intensity reduces. But comes back with too much walking. Pain is in the lower back.
3) Vibration massager makes me feel better. Feel better with rest.
4) I feel improper support in my lower back puts pressure on my knee and leg
5) No epsiodes or previous history or back pain
6) No previous injuries
7) 5 ft 8 inch. Weight 90 Kg.
8) No , I dont smoke
Thanks and Regards,
XXXX
Yes I could not get an MRI done because I have a clipped Brain Anuerysm for which my Nuero Physician suggested not to risk with a MRI. (Although I still have to get a confirmation on this. I suspect the clip is MRI compatible)
1) I think the pain started when I got up from Sleep. Not anything sudden.
2) Duration is continuos. With adequate rest the intensity reduces. But comes back with too much walking. Pain is in the lower back.
3) Vibration massager makes me feel better. Feel better with rest.
4) I feel improper support in my lower back puts pressure on my knee and leg
5) No epsiodes or previous history or back pain
6) No previous injuries
7) 5 ft 8 inch. Weight 90 Kg.
8) No , I dont smoke
Thanks and Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Sounds like arthritis of the Spine
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX, Thanks for following up and answering all my questions. From what you have described here I do not believe that your pain is due to a pinched nerve. So your discs being normal is consistent with that.
I do believe that you are suffering from Arthritis of the spine though. It is a failry common condition for those that are overweight and poor posture. Hence here is what i want you to do over the next 3 months
1) I want you to lose 10k over the next three months. Use our dieticians service to make a weight loss plan and start exercising.. more on exercise in point 2.
2) Find a good physical therapist in the area and start doing core strengthening exercises with them. They can evaluate your pain and suggest additional workouts, but the core muscle exercise is important. Light Cardio 3 times a week to get your heart rate around 130-140/min for 30 minutes (need not be continous, can be in bursts), swimming is a good cardio exercise for backpain.
3) At the end of 3 months, if the weight reduction plan has not solved your back pain issues. Then you will need to go to a pain management specialist who will inject a steroid medication into the arthritic joints of the spine. This is a very minimally invasive procedure and gives great results.
This would be an effective plan for you, in my opinion. What do you think? Feel free to follow-up.
Vinay
Sounds like arthritis of the Spine
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX, Thanks for following up and answering all my questions. From what you have described here I do not believe that your pain is due to a pinched nerve. So your discs being normal is consistent with that.
I do believe that you are suffering from Arthritis of the spine though. It is a failry common condition for those that are overweight and poor posture. Hence here is what i want you to do over the next 3 months
1) I want you to lose 10k over the next three months. Use our dieticians service to make a weight loss plan and start exercising.. more on exercise in point 2.
2) Find a good physical therapist in the area and start doing core strengthening exercises with them. They can evaluate your pain and suggest additional workouts, but the core muscle exercise is important. Light Cardio 3 times a week to get your heart rate around 130-140/min for 30 minutes (need not be continous, can be in bursts), swimming is a good cardio exercise for backpain.
3) At the end of 3 months, if the weight reduction plan has not solved your back pain issues. Then you will need to go to a pain management specialist who will inject a steroid medication into the arthritic joints of the spine. This is a very minimally invasive procedure and gives great results.
This would be an effective plan for you, in my opinion. What do you think? Feel free to follow-up.
Vinay
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
Answered by
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