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Suggest Treatment For Osteoarthritis Of The Spine

Posted on Mon, 2 Feb 2015

Question: My ear level 38 and I'm 35 yrs old ! Recently had back issues showed degenerative changes in spine ! Also I was menstrual cycle at time of test plus I take thyroid meds daily sine I don't have gland anymore due to small cancer nodule

Esr sed rate

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
High ESR due to many reasons

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
good day.
Noted your concern. ESR goes high due to various reasons which include anemia, stress, fever, infections, and also many inflammatory conditions. At your age, degenerative changes in spine is very unusual. You may need to consult a rheumatologist and do tests like HLA-B27 etc. Besides, i guess, as post thyroid cancer dose, you may be taking a high dose of Thyroxine. This also can cause bone loss. You may need to take sufficient calcium and Vitamin D to prevent bone loss. When did you have your last Whole body iodine scan ??
Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (4 minutes later)

I didn't had to go through iodine therapy ! I'm takin 100 mcg daily thy want was tag suppressed for five year . It's usually 0.6 tsh yearly follow up ! Thyroglobulin r undetected ! Which tht is Gud nd scans r clear also ! Wht is the test u recommending is for ! Mri was done was clear beside disc herniation / degenerative changes seen

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Micro Pap ca

Detailed Answer:
Okay, i guess you had a micro papillary thyroid carcinoma. Still we would like to keep TSH < 0.5 for few years.

The test i mentioned was for Ankylosing spondylitis if you have back ache and other degenerative changes in spine. But after going through your MRI report, this is unlikely.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (5 minutes later)

What is other cause of this esr to go up ! I do stress nd yes i was on my monthly cycle at the time of the test ! Could the be the possible cause ! My calciums r within normal change !

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please repeat the test

Detailed Answer:
As i said earlier, ESR is a non specefic marker and a value of 38 is not very high. You need to repeat it along with a CBC ( complete blood count). If you have no fever or joint pains etc, not to worry. Wait for few days and repeat the test

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (9 hours later)

Degenerative changes of space be meaning I have osteoarthritis ? Could this coz the esr to be elevated also ?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Elevated ESR

Detailed Answer:
Good morning,
Degenerative changes doesnt necessarily mean you have osteoarthritis. It is a general term used by radiologists. Hoever, these changes occur in osteoarthritis too. If you have OA, that can cause elevated ESR

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (26 minutes later)

My doctor says I have degenerative changes in my spine. what it means ? I asked if this mean arthritis This what he told me
Yes. The phrase "degenerative changes" in the spine refers to osteoarthritis of the spine. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Doctors may also refer to it as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis in the spine most commonly occurs in the neck and lower back.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
A misnormer

Detailed Answer:
Yes, Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and most common joint affected is knee joint. However it is very unusual at your age, but not impossible.

I noted your above comment which was taken from Google ( MAYO Clinic answer).
Degerative changes of spine is a general vague term which refers to many age related process in spine. Please do not get worried. If you have pain, please meet a rheumatologist who can explain to you in simple terms about your spine.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (9 hours later)

I'm pain has settle quite a bit now ! Doing regular exercise has helped ! I was told tht everything the day I ended up in er was due to severe side effects of prednisone tht caused such a paralyzing pain ! I had never felt such a pain in my life ever before ! The med prednisone was a Posion ivy ! Everything was high due to that med that night ! Like wbc esr rbc globulin protein due to that med ! I had same test done before like two weeks before nd everything was normal !

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Prednisolone side effects

Detailed Answer:
Hi, NOW IT IS CLEAR. You didn't tell me that you used Prednisolone for long time. Yes, it can cause weak bones and osteoporosis and back ache. How long did you use it for?

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