Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Back Pain Post An Injury
Question: Hi there,
I am wanting your opinion and what treatment you would advise on my back injury that occurred at work 3 months ago, my job is in the Automotive and industrial battery trade where heavy lifting is involved.
The injury occurred at work one day lifting a car battery and I felt a huge sharp pain in my lower back and my left leg, over the last 3 months my left leg pain (Butt, hamstring, calf and big toe) is the same but my back pain is getting worse now more a burning pain.
Back injury is L5/S1 radial annular tear with a Moderate disc protrusion abutting the nerve exiting canal.
I have had the following done,
2 x MRI scans.
CT Scan
nerve blocking injection (made me worse)
pool work
currently seeing a physio with no improvement
I am wanting your opinion and what treatment you would advise on my back injury that occurred at work 3 months ago, my job is in the Automotive and industrial battery trade where heavy lifting is involved.
The injury occurred at work one day lifting a car battery and I felt a huge sharp pain in my lower back and my left leg, over the last 3 months my left leg pain (Butt, hamstring, calf and big toe) is the same but my back pain is getting worse now more a burning pain.
Back injury is L5/S1 radial annular tear with a Moderate disc protrusion abutting the nerve exiting canal.
I have had the following done,
2 x MRI scans.
CT Scan
nerve blocking injection (made me worse)
pool work
currently seeing a physio with no improvement
Brief Answer:
Disc prolapse at L5-S1.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You have a disc prolapse at the level of L5-S1 with mild nerve root compression. The attached images do not suggest any fracture or a major damage.
Medicines are the first line treatment along with physiotherapy. If the patient responds well with medicines then physiotherapy helps in preventing further progression of the problem. Surgery is kept as a last resort to improve the quality of life of the patient.
The main treatment of such problem is bed rest along with pain killers and muscle relaxants. Muscle relaxants can help with your symptoms if used in appropriate dosage in combination with a potent analgesic. You can get these prescribed from your orthopedician.
Local analgesic gels and hot fomentation may provide a short term relief. You can use analgesic gels like Volini gel. Exercise is not advisable in the times of acute pain.
Using an LS contour belt of appropriate size might be helpful in providing support to back muscles.
Physiotherapy also plays a major role in treating such conditions. Epidural steroid injections have been used if oral pain killers are not very effective. Lumbar traction and methylcobalamin supplements can also help in controlling the nerve related pain.
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
Disc prolapse at L5-S1.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You have a disc prolapse at the level of L5-S1 with mild nerve root compression. The attached images do not suggest any fracture or a major damage.
Medicines are the first line treatment along with physiotherapy. If the patient responds well with medicines then physiotherapy helps in preventing further progression of the problem. Surgery is kept as a last resort to improve the quality of life of the patient.
The main treatment of such problem is bed rest along with pain killers and muscle relaxants. Muscle relaxants can help with your symptoms if used in appropriate dosage in combination with a potent analgesic. You can get these prescribed from your orthopedician.
Local analgesic gels and hot fomentation may provide a short term relief. You can use analgesic gels like Volini gel. Exercise is not advisable in the times of acute pain.
Using an LS contour belt of appropriate size might be helpful in providing support to back muscles.
Physiotherapy also plays a major role in treating such conditions. Epidural steroid injections have been used if oral pain killers are not very effective. Lumbar traction and methylcobalamin supplements can also help in controlling the nerve related pain.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi there,
Thanks for your reply, can you please advise what a prolapse discs mean and how long it should take to repair with physio work?
Also does this mean I have a torn disc and will this ever recover fully?
Thanks.
Thanks for your reply, can you please advise what a prolapse discs mean and how long it should take to repair with physio work?
Also does this mean I have a torn disc and will this ever recover fully?
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
There is a vertebral disc between each vertebra, it acts as a shock absorber, it is composed of two parts, the outer part called the annulos fibosis and the inner aspect , that is normally fully surronded by the annulus, called the nucleus pulposus. A disc protrudes out from in between the vertebrae due to injury or wear and tear which causes compression of the spinal cord and the nerves. It also involves tearing of the outer layer of the disc.
The majority of herniated discs will heal themselves in about six weeks and do not require surgery. Non-surgical methods of treatment are usually attempted first, leaving surgery as a last resort and in this non steroidal drugs, lumbosacral back support and steroid injections are very useful.
Physical therapy is advised as second line in management only after rest and alteration of the lifestyle has happened. You need a complete bed rest and avoid lifting any weights for at least next two months. The analgesic given would take care of your agony in the back muscles for now and also relieve the spasm surrounding the muscles of the lumbar spine.
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.
There is a vertebral disc between each vertebra, it acts as a shock absorber, it is composed of two parts, the outer part called the annulos fibosis and the inner aspect , that is normally fully surronded by the annulus, called the nucleus pulposus. A disc protrudes out from in between the vertebrae due to injury or wear and tear which causes compression of the spinal cord and the nerves. It also involves tearing of the outer layer of the disc.
The majority of herniated discs will heal themselves in about six weeks and do not require surgery. Non-surgical methods of treatment are usually attempted first, leaving surgery as a last resort and in this non steroidal drugs, lumbosacral back support and steroid injections are very useful.
Physical therapy is advised as second line in management only after rest and alteration of the lifestyle has happened. You need a complete bed rest and avoid lifting any weights for at least next two months. The analgesic given would take care of your agony in the back muscles for now and also relieve the spasm surrounding the muscles of the lumbar spine.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thanks for your reply,
You stated that most discs repair themselves after 6 weeks I am now at 3 months so why is my pain the same or getting worse especially in my back around that disc area plus I am getting extra symptoms like bad pain and numbness in my big toe on my left foot which only happen 4 days ago?
I was told annular tears that I have may take up to 2 years to repair and even if they do they they are highly likely to retear is this correct?
You stated that most discs repair themselves after 6 weeks I am now at 3 months so why is my pain the same or getting worse especially in my back around that disc area plus I am getting extra symptoms like bad pain and numbness in my big toe on my left foot which only happen 4 days ago?
I was told annular tears that I have may take up to 2 years to repair and even if they do they they are highly likely to retear is this correct?
Brief Answer:
Inadequate rest can delay healing.
Detailed Answer:
The persistent pain and increasing numbness in your case can be inadequate rest. You need an absolute bed rest, no to any weight lifting and a mild lumbar traction to put the weight off the compressed disc.
Regular oral muscle relaxants will help in relaxing the back muscles thus allowing the disc to heal. In case the symptoms are deteriorating then surgical decompression of the disc needs to be considered.
In case you again indulge in painful or weight lifting activities then a retear is a possibility.
Regards.
Inadequate rest can delay healing.
Detailed Answer:
The persistent pain and increasing numbness in your case can be inadequate rest. You need an absolute bed rest, no to any weight lifting and a mild lumbar traction to put the weight off the compressed disc.
Regular oral muscle relaxants will help in relaxing the back muscles thus allowing the disc to heal. In case the symptoms are deteriorating then surgical decompression of the disc needs to be considered.
In case you again indulge in painful or weight lifting activities then a retear is a possibility.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi,
I have attached another photo to my file 103257 Jpg I think it is showing something pressing on my nerve root in my back can you advise what it could be?
Also I have developed redness on top of foot and small toe pain is this related to my nerve issue?
I have attached another photo to my file 103257 Jpg I think it is showing something pressing on my nerve root in my back can you advise what it could be?
Also I have developed redness on top of foot and small toe pain is this related to my nerve issue?
Brief Answer:
The bulging disc is pressing the spinal cord.
Detailed Answer:
I have seen the attached photos. There is a disc bulge. It is the bulging disc that is pressing the spinal cord and nerve roots. The redness on foot and toe is not related to the nerve issue. It is likely to be due to a local inflammation.
Regards.
The bulging disc is pressing the spinal cord.
Detailed Answer:
I have seen the attached photos. There is a disc bulge. It is the bulging disc that is pressing the spinal cord and nerve roots. The redness on foot and toe is not related to the nerve issue. It is likely to be due to a local inflammation.
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
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
