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Suggest Treatment For Severe Lower Back Pain

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Posted on Tue, 12 Sep 2017
Question: I have severe lower back pain. It started from out of the blue this morning with pain in my pelvis region (thought if could be bladder infection at first) and then turned into lower back pain which I think may be a flare up from hurting my back lifting something heavy 2 years ago. It's ok if I'm still but if I'm standing for a long period and then try to sit down it's excruciating. But once I'm sitting it's okay again so it typically only hurts when I'm moving certain ways and a little uncomfortable when walking. Visited the family doctor today. He had me lay on my back and pressed on my spine. In 1 or 2 areas it was excruciatingly painful when he pressed but then he said he pressed again in the same spot a few moments later with almost no pain. He ordered an X-ray and gave me Anti inflammatories and muscle relaxants. He thinks it's a strained muscle and not my spine because I have no tingling or numbness or any other symptoms. Am curious as to what your opinion is. do you recommend I see a specialist or go to the ER?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Could be sacroilitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel Orthopedic Surgeon.
I have gone through the details of pain and nature of pain-.
In my opinion this pain is due to sacroilitis - Inflammation in the joint between hip and spine. Some movements of leg are likely to increase the pain.
X ray a may not show much in this case. Only MRI may be able to help in diagnosis.
I suggest pain killers , muscle relaxants and Spinal Extension Exercises,
This pain has a tendency to recur and only way is to regular spinal extension exercises.
Thanks for the question. Please feel free to ask any other question.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Gopal (2 hours later)
Hi. I'm not sure if you read my symptoms quite correctly. There is NO pain in my hip joints or near my hip area. The pain is in my lower back only. What else could it be besides sacroilitis?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Sacroilitis/ Lumbar spondylosis.

Detailed Answer:
hi
The pain is in your pelvic area and sacroiliac joint is a part of pelvis.
For your lower back pain , other possibility is what we call degenerative disease of the spine, Lumbar spondylosis.( I would be in a better position if I knew your age). It could be diagnosed with x rays of lower spine. But since it started in pelvic region sacroilitis is more likely.
Any pain in pelvis can spread to lower back due to muscle spasm and the treatment is as same for both sacroilitis and lumbar spondylosis in early stage.
Thanx for the question.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Gopal (1 hour later)
I'm 43 years old. Could I expect this pain to stay with me forever or does it typically go away?

While it did start in the pelvic region, the pain there is totally gone, and now the pain is only in my lower back.

What kind of outlook can I expect with these symptoms? Would surgery eventually be required?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not lifelong with certain precautions and exercises.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
with these symptoms and at your age (43) I do not suspect any major damage to your vertebra or spinal cord. The problem is most likely to be in ligaments and muscles or disc.
I think that with treatment your pain will go away .
To tell you future of pain I need to know the exact cause. But I can assure you that no of pain of this kind will last a lifetime , if you do regular exercises for back and take certain precautions( like do not lift heavy weights ) then the pain may not recur at all.
I do operate when patient has severe problem or is not responding to non surgical treatment.
I hope I have answered your questions.
Thanx
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1983

Answered : 1538 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Lower Back Pain

Brief Answer: Could be sacroilitis Detailed Answer: Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel Orthopedic Surgeon. I have gone through the details of pain and nature of pain-. In my opinion this pain is due to sacroilitis - Inflammation in the joint between hip and spine. Some movements of leg are likely to increase the pain. X ray a may not show much in this case. Only MRI may be able to help in diagnosis. I suggest pain killers , muscle relaxants and Spinal Extension Exercises, This pain has a tendency to recur and only way is to regular spinal extension exercises. Thanks for the question. Please feel free to ask any other question.