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Suggest Treatment For Lower Back Pain
Question: Dear Sir,
My age : 29, Height 5 feet 8 inches , Weight - 62 , Thin built with tummy. I have a sedentary life style with heavy computer usage averaging about 9 hours. My residence is in 4th floor. I don't have lift facility. Occasionally I need to lift heavy weight all the way to upstairs. I ride light motor bike for about 4 kms per day.
Since last couple of years I have been suffering from lower back pain. The pain is like pinching sensation. The pain alternates between left side and right side of the lower back. The pain generally used to subside ( not totally ) after taking few days of rest. But off late the pain is not subsiding even after taking rest. Hence I got a MRI done. I have uploaded the report. Kindly explain me in simple words about my problem and suggest treatments.
My age : 29, Height 5 feet 8 inches , Weight - 62 , Thin built with tummy. I have a sedentary life style with heavy computer usage averaging about 9 hours. My residence is in 4th floor. I don't have lift facility. Occasionally I need to lift heavy weight all the way to upstairs. I ride light motor bike for about 4 kms per day.
Since last couple of years I have been suffering from lower back pain. The pain is like pinching sensation. The pain alternates between left side and right side of the lower back. The pain generally used to subside ( not totally ) after taking few days of rest. But off late the pain is not subsiding even after taking rest. Hence I got a MRI done. I have uploaded the report. Kindly explain me in simple words about my problem and suggest treatments.
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You have a mild disc bulge at L2-3, L3-4 and L5-S1 levels. There is no nerve root compression. These are just minor degenerative changes in the lumbar spine due to wear and tear and lifting heavy loads.
Physiotherapy like intermittent lumbar traction, back exercise reduces pressure of disc bulge & gives relief.
The following measures will help with the pain
• Lie on a hard bed.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs like Tablet Motrin 1 tablet as and when required (don't repeat a dose before 6 hours) with food.
• Avoid forward bending.
• Correct your posture while sitting
• Avoid prolonged sitting Take frequent stretch breaks from work.
• Avoid strenuous activity & lifting heavy weights.
• Apply diclofenac gel on the affected area. Warm compresses will also help.
You have to do stretching & strengthening exercises in which you have to stretch tight muscle & strengthen weakened ones which will alleviate stress on the lumbar discs. This will reduce the further progression of your mild problem. All these changes are reversible with regular exercise. So do not worry.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You have a mild disc bulge at L2-3, L3-4 and L5-S1 levels. There is no nerve root compression. These are just minor degenerative changes in the lumbar spine due to wear and tear and lifting heavy loads.
Physiotherapy like intermittent lumbar traction, back exercise reduces pressure of disc bulge & gives relief.
The following measures will help with the pain
• Lie on a hard bed.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs like Tablet Motrin 1 tablet as and when required (don't repeat a dose before 6 hours) with food.
• Avoid forward bending.
• Correct your posture while sitting
• Avoid prolonged sitting Take frequent stretch breaks from work.
• Avoid strenuous activity & lifting heavy weights.
• Apply diclofenac gel on the affected area. Warm compresses will also help.
You have to do stretching & strengthening exercises in which you have to stretch tight muscle & strengthen weakened ones which will alleviate stress on the lumbar discs. This will reduce the further progression of your mild problem. All these changes are reversible with regular exercise. So do not worry.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thanks for the answer Sir. Kindly briefly in simple terms summarize the following medical terminologies specified in the report.
What does mild spondylosis indicate ?
What does Schmorl's nodes at L2 , L3 and L4 level indicate ?
What does mild facetal and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy noted at L3-4 and L4-5 indicate ?
What does mild dehydration indicate ?
What does mild impingement on thecal sac indicate ?
What about the condition of the spine ?
What does mild spondylosis indicate ?
What does Schmorl's nodes at L2 , L3 and L4 level indicate ?
What does mild facetal and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy noted at L3-4 and L4-5 indicate ?
What does mild dehydration indicate ?
What does mild impingement on thecal sac indicate ?
What about the condition of the spine ?
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Mild spondylosis is a mild degenerative change in the spine also called spinal arthritis.
Schmorl's node is mild protrusion of soft tissue or cartilage of disc. It is a normal finding in spine.
Mild hypertrophy means mild enlargement of these ligaments to compensate the disc protrusion.
Mild dehydration means there is less movement at that joint and the joint is not getting the proper nutrition.
Mild impingement of thecal sac is the protrusion of the sac which can cause the nerve root compression if it progresses further.
All these changes are just mild variations and do not indicate any irreversible change of the spine. Proper treatment and exercise can reverse these changes.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Mild spondylosis is a mild degenerative change in the spine also called spinal arthritis.
Schmorl's node is mild protrusion of soft tissue or cartilage of disc. It is a normal finding in spine.
Mild hypertrophy means mild enlargement of these ligaments to compensate the disc protrusion.
Mild dehydration means there is less movement at that joint and the joint is not getting the proper nutrition.
Mild impingement of thecal sac is the protrusion of the sac which can cause the nerve root compression if it progresses further.
All these changes are just mild variations and do not indicate any irreversible change of the spine. Proper treatment and exercise can reverse these changes.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sir,
What about the condition of cervico dorsal spine ?
Do I need to check my Vitamin D and Calcium levels ( any other blood tests ) ?
Can you slightly elaborate on the type and duration of traction required and the type of physical exercises required ?
What about the condition of cervico dorsal spine ?
Do I need to check my Vitamin D and Calcium levels ( any other blood tests ) ?
Can you slightly elaborate on the type and duration of traction required and the type of physical exercises required ?
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Mild spondylottic changes are also seen at C3-4-5 levels with no nerve root compression. These are also likely to be posture related and due to long working hours on computer.
If there are symptoms like weakness or dizziness or lethargy feeling only then these tests are needed. The changes in spine are not due to calcium deficiency.
The duration of traction depends on the response to the treatment. Usually it is needed to give relief to the acute symptoms. Back and neck isometric strengthening exercises will help. These can be properly explained by a proficient physiotherapist in your area.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Mild spondylottic changes are also seen at C3-4-5 levels with no nerve root compression. These are also likely to be posture related and due to long working hours on computer.
If there are symptoms like weakness or dizziness or lethargy feeling only then these tests are needed. The changes in spine are not due to calcium deficiency.
The duration of traction depends on the response to the treatment. Usually it is needed to give relief to the acute symptoms. Back and neck isometric strengthening exercises will help. These can be properly explained by a proficient physiotherapist in your area.
Regards.
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
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