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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Diagnosed With Spinal Stenosis, Have Back Pain. Tried Medicines Like Vicodin But No Help. Suggest?

Thanks. My mom is 89 years old and in good health generally. However recently diagnosed via MRI with spinal stenosis. Has been having severe back pain, specially in mornings to get up. Facility and medical team have tried various anti inflammatory drugs, vicodin, all strengths and a few other things but to no avail. Nothing seems to ease the pain. I am wondering whether Marinol would help to try it at least before she opts for surgery, which I feel is always a risk, even though the neurosurgeon feels it might be the answer. What are your thoughts about med marijuana in California.?
posted on Thu, 29 Aug 2013
Twitter Thu, 29 Aug 2013 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 30 Aug 2013 Last reviewed on
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Spine Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi
Thank you for your question.

First line of treatment is usually nonoperative to which maximum number of patients respond. As Vicodin is not offering satisfactory relief Oxycontin or Percocet (Oxycodone + Acetaminophen) can be tried. Muscle relaxants like Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) or Tizanidine will also be helpful. Once the pain is under control a structured physiotherapy program can help strengthen the weak muscles.

If all these noninvasive means don't help epidural injections could be done with a good success rate.

I do agree at 89 surgery will be a risk but if it becomes necessary it reliably helps neurological leg pain but results for back pain are somewhat unpredictable.

Wish her the best recovery.

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Allergist and Immunologist,  Dr. Suman Kumar's  Response
if you want to try can try it
but stenosis cannot be removed by medicines and pain killers only control but not cures
and pain killers have side effects also
now a days there are pin hole laproscopic andendoscopic sugeries whih have the minimal risks
better to opt for that
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Diagnosed With Spinal Stenosis, Have Back Pain. Tried Medicines Like Vicodin But No Help. Suggest?

Hi Thank you for your question. First line of treatment is usually nonoperative to which maximum number of patients respond. As Vicodin is not offering satisfactory relief Oxycontin or Percocet (Oxycodone + Acetaminophen) can be tried. Muscle relaxants like Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) or Tizanidine will also be helpful. Once the pain is under control a structured physiotherapy program can help strengthen the weak muscles. If all these noninvasive means don t help epidural injections could be done with a good success rate. I do agree at 89 surgery will be a risk but if it becomes necessary it reliably helps neurological leg pain but results for back pain are somewhat unpredictable. Wish her the best recovery.