Will Epidural Help Manage Pain Due To Lumbar Spondylosis?

Posted on Mon, 5 Jan 2015

Question: where are lumbar 5 minimal to mild anterior wedge deformith of the T 12 vertebral arrearing chronic minimal inferior thoracic kyphosis. degenerative dehydration at the L5 thruSSS1 and L4-5 disks with lesser slight similar change at the more superior levels suggested posterior facet joints. At L5 - S1 facet joint hypertrophy. At L4-5 bilateral facet joint hypertrophy At L3-4 facet joint hypertrophy

Do you think the epidural will help. Doctor want to do one and wait two weeks and do another. Why do this?

pain med and rehab will epidural help

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Epidural will reduce pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.

I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar,

After going through your query I concluded that you are having degenerative changes in lumbar spine (Lumbar spondylosis). Epidural will help in reducing pain. Epidural steroid is effective in pain relief sometimes for 6months and even life long in some cases. These are given at gap of 15 days because generally long acting steroid are given which gives their maximum effect in 15 days. Epidural will help in reducing pain and will help in rehabilitation. Other medicines having benefit are Diacerein and Glucosamine. Analgesic such as ibuprofen are given for pain. Vitamin D3 supplements are helpful if it is low (found on lab test). Back exercises are helpful to strengthening muscles and relieve back pain.
You can discuss with your treating Doctor about it.

Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
You can also write to me directly on below link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho

Wishing you good health.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (2 days later)

Is my back problem going to continue to get worse. Do people like me have to have sugery are we talking about pain control only. In 10 years will I still be able to walk? I know you don't know the future but you have seen enough to know how much pain and what I am facing. I have family member that do not believe that I am in a lot of pain. I try not to show my adult children how much pain if I can help it. If I was your wife what would you do for her?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
not necessarily get worse, you may improve.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back

After going through your query and follow up query, I want to say that degenerative changes ( x ray and MRI changes) are likely to continue as these are related to aging but it does not mean your pain is likely to increase as clinical condition usually stabilizes and even improve.

People like you not necessarily need surgery, surgery is generally required if one develop compressive neuropathy leading to neuralgic pains and symptoms in legs which are not controlled by medicines.

We are not talking about pain only. Epidural and analgesic help in pain relief. Diacerein and Glucosamine slow down degenerative process. Vitamin D3 and back exercise improve general health and muscle are strengthened. You will be surely able to walk beyond 10 yearly, I think it more depends upon your nutrition and activeness in coming years.

If you were my family member or wife I will treat by medicines such as Diacerne, glucasamine, vitamin D3 and analgesics first. Second option is epidural steroid and surgery is last option. You can discuss with your Doctor about it.

Hope your query get answered.
If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.
If you have no clarification then you can close the query and rate the answer.
You can also write to me directly on below link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho

Wishing you a good health.
Take care.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E