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Will Taking Gabapentin And Physical Therapy While Having Lumbar Radiculopathy Sufficiently Reduce Inflammation?

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Posted on Wed, 9 Feb 2022
Question: i have lumbar radiculopathy . Will taking gabapentin & physical therapy sufficiently reduce my inflammation? I'm trying to avoid the epidurmal corticosteroid injection if it only works temporarily.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Depends on severity of problem.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

For lumbar radiculopathy the treatment depends on the extent of nerve compression. For mild cases , gabapentin, methylcobalamin supplements and regular physical therapy is sufficient. In case there is a local inflammation around the nerve root, then local steroid injection will help. In case of an acute and major compression of nerve root, surgical decompression of the nerve may be needed.

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.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (36 minutes later)
my dr (after my mri) says i should get the shot. but won't i still need pt to help keep the inflammation from returning? I have fairly severe leg pain, but i don't want a temp solution. I'm also paying out-of-pocket for this, and the shot is pretty expensive. If its just resetting the inflammation, and not helping to cure it, what's the point?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Oral muscle relaxants will help.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Even if you get the steroid shot to decrease the inflammation you will need a regular physiotherapy to maintain the tone of back muscles and to prevent the recurrences. The steroid shot will decrease the pain that you have now. Only physiotherapy without the shot will take 3-5 weeks for the pain to reduce. Otherwise you can get oral muscle relaxants prescribed by your orthopedist for relief.

Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12315 Questions

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Will Taking Gabapentin And Physical Therapy While Having Lumbar Radiculopathy Sufficiently Reduce Inflammation?

Brief Answer: Depends on severity of problem. Detailed Answer: Hello, For lumbar radiculopathy the treatment depends on the extent of nerve compression. For mild cases , gabapentin, methylcobalamin supplements and regular physical therapy is sufficient. In case there is a local inflammation around the nerve root, then local steroid injection will help. In case of an acute and major compression of nerve root, surgical decompression of the nerve may be needed. 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.