Suggest Ways To Manage Pain Due To Osteoarthritus Of The Spine

Posted on Tue, 31 Mar 2015

Question: I have been going to a pain clinic for several years now and I can't seem to get enough pain medication to live a normal life. Right now, I'm getting 40 mg. of ER Oxycodone 2xdaily and 10 mg Oxycodone 4xdaily. This does not get me to a lower pain relief so that I can function as a normal human. I have osteoarthritus of the spine, and it has destroyed 3 or 4 lumbar disks. I have talked to Dr. XXXXXXX an orthopedic surgeon and Dr. Ragland a neurosurgeon. They said that they cannot operate on my back. My chronic pain needs to be kept to at least a pain level 4 in order for me to function. Can you help?

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Epidural steroid shot may help you or image guided local nerve root block

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have studied your case with diligence.

You are already on high opioid dosage so more dosage will lead to drug dependency.
I will advise you to do regular physiotherapy and exercises as my patients find much relief by these therapies.
You may consult physiotherapist for guidance. He may start TENS, or ultrasound which is helpful in your case you need to take diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.

Epidural steroid shot may help you or image guided local nerve root block may help Consult your doctor for injection.

If no relief then you should consult to private surgeon so that he can help you to decide and treat for your lumbar disc compression.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
If you find this answer helpful do not hesitate to rate this answer at end of discussion.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.

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