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What Do My X-ray Reports Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 3 Apr 2017

Question: my x-rays show the bottom 4 vertebrae in my spine are just about sitting on top of each other w/little to no disc between them. For the past 20+ years it has been getting harder and harder to deal w/the constant discomfort. I had to give up my 3 passions, golf, fishing and hunting. I can't stand for long periods, or sit for long periods...constantly up and down. Until recently, nobody has been able to show me what the problem was...several MRI's,l numerous x-rays. I have a constant burning sensation in my lower back, sharp piercing jabs of discomfort in lower back and in both legs. My feet have been numb for the past several years. I'm too young for this. They want to operate, but what can they do. Nobody gives me a definitive answer. No, I am not a basket case, but I am dealing with two physical situations...pathetic for someone who was so active, so athletic.
My question is this...if I agree to back surgery, what exactly would they do? I don't just want the pain and discomfort to go away, I want the whole situation remedied...fixed.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
may be a disc replacement

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history in detail.

I feel they are planning for vertebral disc replacement.
Another possibility is of ankylosis (fusion) of the vertebral bodies.

Both of these surgeries will reduce pain,discomfort to a large extent but i do not think this would be an ultimate remedy.

Degeneration of the disc is an irreversible process and some problems are bound to remain even after getting a surgery done.

At our clinic,we try and avoid doing surgeries on spine as far as possible as none of the surgeries is a complete remedy.In fact,surgery makes a spine more weak and vulnerable.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.

Thank you.
Kind regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Thank you ... you just reinforced what I've tho't all along. Surgery is not always the best way to go and to not have it done if you can handle the discomfort...but it's not a XXXXXXX ride to say the least. Is acupuncture a source of relief?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
acupuncture / LASER can help

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Acupuncture,physiotherapy in the form of lumbar traction,LASER therapy are the other effective treatment modalities and they do help to a considerable extent.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (7 hours later)

ok this is a first ... I've never heard of lazer therapy ... while I research it, maybe you can go into more detail about it?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
new invention

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,

LASER (Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) is a new modality used in treatment of such disc diseases.

Instead of just using conventional physiotherapy tools like infra red, short wave diathermy etc., LASER is proved to have higher penetration into the tissues resulting in comparatively better effects.

It is a light of specific wavelength that penetrates soft tissues, reduces inflammation and swelling within the tissues.

LLLT (Low level Laser therapy) is a variant that is normally used.

You can check it with your doctor if it is available with him.

You can search "Cold Laser in Orthopaedics" over the web for more details.

Thank you.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee