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What Causes Cervical Radiculopathy While Suffering From Arthritis?
Question: Hi! My husband is 63 years old. He has been suffering from chronic pain due to arthritis since his late 30s. He takes ibuprofen daily. 800mg in the morning and evening but still has severe constant pain in his neck, lower back, finger joints, etc. He has undergone hip and knee replacements. Can you recommend options for pain meds that can relieve his pain for more than a few hours?
Brief Answer:
Cervical radiating pain due to nerve compression may take time , B12 vitamin supplements will be helpful and MRI scan to exclude spinal injuries .
Detailed Answer:
Hi i am Dr Ahmed Aly
thanks for using HealthcareMagic site ,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns ..
I hope your husband feels better soon , actually from your given history it seems he might have cervical radiating pain due to nerve compression , such pain may be exaggerated by his arthritis .
For my patients i recommend he begins with physiotherapy , hot massages , spinal straightening exercises and stretching exercises and even yoga will be helpful in most of the cases .
I suggest tramdol SR 400mg as a painkiller for its long duration of action , hot gentle massaging with topical anti-inflammatory gels , B12 vitamin supplements , muscle relaxants , steroid tabs or injections are prescribed in more chronic and severe cases .
If physical therapy and medical therapy failed for more than 6 consecutive months i recommend MRI scan on his spine to exclude any spinal injuries or disc herniation and follow them up with your neurosurgeon for proper evaluation and management . nowadays minor invasive endoscopic interventions have very good results in such cases in more complicated cases your neurosurgeon may recommend spinal fixation with rods and plates if needed .
Such neuropathic pain is well tolerated to pregabalins or gabapentin which are mainly anti epileptic drugs used with neuropathic pain . physiotherapy is always the best treatment with the stretching exercises but it may take time so be patient and he will be fine .
Please click and consider a 5 star rating with some positive feedback if the information was helpful. Wish you good health,Any further clarifications feel free to ask.
Cervical radiating pain due to nerve compression may take time , B12 vitamin supplements will be helpful and MRI scan to exclude spinal injuries .
Detailed Answer:
Hi i am Dr Ahmed Aly
thanks for using HealthcareMagic site ,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns ..
I hope your husband feels better soon , actually from your given history it seems he might have cervical radiating pain due to nerve compression , such pain may be exaggerated by his arthritis .
For my patients i recommend he begins with physiotherapy , hot massages , spinal straightening exercises and stretching exercises and even yoga will be helpful in most of the cases .
I suggest tramdol SR 400mg as a painkiller for its long duration of action , hot gentle massaging with topical anti-inflammatory gels , B12 vitamin supplements , muscle relaxants , steroid tabs or injections are prescribed in more chronic and severe cases .
If physical therapy and medical therapy failed for more than 6 consecutive months i recommend MRI scan on his spine to exclude any spinal injuries or disc herniation and follow them up with your neurosurgeon for proper evaluation and management . nowadays minor invasive endoscopic interventions have very good results in such cases in more complicated cases your neurosurgeon may recommend spinal fixation with rods and plates if needed .
Such neuropathic pain is well tolerated to pregabalins or gabapentin which are mainly anti epileptic drugs used with neuropathic pain . physiotherapy is always the best treatment with the stretching exercises but it may take time so be patient and he will be fine .
Please click and consider a 5 star rating with some positive feedback if the information was helpful. Wish you good health,Any further clarifications feel free to ask.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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