Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Treatment Strategies And Other Medical Consultations Would You Advise That I Consider?
Question: Medical consultations which I have had concerning pain and numbness in the feet have focused on the idea that there is a pinched nerve problem caused by a bulging disc in the lower back. I understand that other consequences may include problems with frequent urination or constipation. if I am facing these problems, what treatment strategies and other medical consultations would you advise that I consider?"
Brief Answer:
Oral muscle relaxants and physiotherapy will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
A bulging disc in the lower back can cause a nerve root compression resulting in symptoms that you are having. Lifting heavy weights, bending forwards and improper body posture can aggravate the problem.
You need to start with a hot compress in the area along with oral muscle relaxants for proper muscle relaxation in the area and see if it helps. Using a local analagesic gel should also help. Isometric back exercises and regular physiotherapy can help in long term relief. You need to have intermittent stretch breaks during your work also to help in the improvement. Do consult an orthopedician for proper prescription medicines.
If you are facing any problems in urination or bowel movements then do consider consulting a neurologist for proper treatment.
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
Oral muscle relaxants and physiotherapy will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
A bulging disc in the lower back can cause a nerve root compression resulting in symptoms that you are having. Lifting heavy weights, bending forwards and improper body posture can aggravate the problem.
You need to start with a hot compress in the area along with oral muscle relaxants for proper muscle relaxation in the area and see if it helps. Using a local analagesic gel should also help. Isometric back exercises and regular physiotherapy can help in long term relief. You need to have intermittent stretch breaks during your work also to help in the improvement. Do consult an orthopedician for proper prescription medicines.
If you are facing any problems in urination or bowel movements then do consider consulting a neurologist for proper treatment.
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
Dr. Tayal, your message has been very helpful In several different respects. I feel lucky to have encountered such a learned surgeon!
Noting that you have not mentioned surgery. Please help me to see how you would fit surgery into the network of strategies that you have in mind.
Secondly, if none of the strategies available to me suitably corrects the bulged disc and I continue to have troubling pain, what routes would you recommend that I follow in trying to address pain management when over-the-counter painkillers are of no help?
Noting that you have not mentioned surgery. Please help me to see how you would fit surgery into the network of strategies that you have in mind.
Secondly, if none of the strategies available to me suitably corrects the bulged disc and I continue to have troubling pain, what routes would you recommend that I follow in trying to address pain management when over-the-counter painkillers are of no help?
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Surgery is needed only when all other treatment options like muscle relaxants, physiotherapy- traction and epidural steroid injections fail to provide relief and the nerve compression is progressive. Physiotherapy helps in retarding the progress of the bulging discs.
For pain management, you need oral muscle relaxants in addition to the pain killers. You need to get these prescribed by your orthopedician. Lumbar traction and physiotherapy exercises also help in relieving pain. Do get an MRI scan done to assess the severity of the problem.
Epidural steroid injections also help in nerve compression caused by bulging discs.
In case all these do not help then only surgery is needed.
Hope this answer is helpful.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Surgery is needed only when all other treatment options like muscle relaxants, physiotherapy- traction and epidural steroid injections fail to provide relief and the nerve compression is progressive. Physiotherapy helps in retarding the progress of the bulging discs.
For pain management, you need oral muscle relaxants in addition to the pain killers. You need to get these prescribed by your orthopedician. Lumbar traction and physiotherapy exercises also help in relieving pain. Do get an MRI scan done to assess the severity of the problem.
Epidural steroid injections also help in nerve compression caused by bulging discs.
In case all these do not help then only surgery is needed.
Hope this answer is helpful.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
