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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Disc Disease

Over 2 mths ago, I started experienced severe burning 24/7 in bone and rt shin to foot and felt like the muscle was pulling from the bone, cold, weakness, muscle atrophy in lower rt leg, then entire body was cold and muscles appeared collapsed or atrophied, cannot walk, in wheelchair & crutches, I have seen 7 specialists, mri, xray, bloodwork, nerve tests, no one knows the root of problem. I had electrical shocks in my leg and entire body and now they stopped, not a lot of sensation in leg, cold, cannot put weight on it, have to just rest it, my entire body felt heavy and weak. I just got my mri back and it states: L-1 to L-5-S1 minimal to mild bulge with superimposed left subarticular through forminal disc protrusion and annular tear, thoracic spine: multilevel thoracic spondylosis resulting in mild central canal stenosis of upper & mid thoracic spine, multi level degenerative disc disease, broad based disc buldges involving upper and mid thoracic spine resulting in canal stenosis from T2-3 to T7-8. Cervical MRI: vertebral body hemangioma at C7, multilevel degenerative disc disease C2-3 to C6-7, C3-4 broad disc/osteophyte complex effaces the ventral thecal sac abutting the ventral cord and resulting in mild canal stenosis left neural forminal stenosis, C4-5 broad based disc/osteophyte complex abuts the ventral cord resulting in canal stenosis, uncovertebral & gacal degenerative changes, mild bilaternal neural formaninal stenosis, left greater than right. C5-6 Broad disc/osteophyte complex abuts the ventral cord resulting in canal stenosis, same as above. multilevel cervical spondylosis resulting in varying degrees of canal and foraminal stenosis. I would like to know what all his means and treatment, also Could a viral infection cause my neurothapy and muscle atrophy and weakness and continued lower leg pain and foot drop and pain or is this caused by my back and neck? The docs said it could be chronic pain syndrome, sciatica, peroneal, right lumbosacral radiculopathy or right lower extremity entrapment neuropathy, no one knows at this point referring me to more specialists.
Mon, 29 Sep 2014
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement 's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for your query.

There are many different modalities that can help the pain from Degenerative disc disease.

You should keep your BMI under 25.

Core strength is important. I know you said that your cannot work out but you can do body weight exercises that will help strengthen you back. One example is performing a simple plank. Pilates is a very good exercise regimen for patients with back pain as it focus's on core strength. There are some dedicated plans for patients with back pain.

Physiotherapy and modalities such as ultrasound and TEN's machine can help. Massage can definitely afford some symptomatic relief as muscles do spasm in response to the pain.

Medication - use a stepwise approach. Try to avoid opiate and benzodiazepine containing medication or use only for acute flares in pain. Start with tylenol and advil. Other different possibly more effective antiinflammatories such as naproxen and diclofenac can be substituted. If there is a neuralgic component to your pain then gabapentin or pregabalin can help. Amytryptiline at night can be of benefit.

A corset or brace can be useful during period of more acute pain depending on the location of your pain.

Sometimes physiological help including cognitive behavioural therapy can help patients with chronic pain.

I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
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Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Disc Disease

Hello, Thanks for your query. There are many different modalities that can help the pain from Degenerative disc disease. You should keep your BMI under 25. Core strength is important. I know you said that your cannot work out but you can do body weight exercises that will help strengthen you back. One example is performing a simple plank. Pilates is a very good exercise regimen for patients with back pain as it focus s on core strength. There are some dedicated plans for patients with back pain. Physiotherapy and modalities such as ultrasound and TEN s machine can help. Massage can definitely afford some symptomatic relief as muscles do spasm in response to the pain. Medication - use a stepwise approach. Try to avoid opiate and benzodiazepine containing medication or use only for acute flares in pain. Start with tylenol and advil. Other different possibly more effective antiinflammatories such as naproxen and diclofenac can be substituted. If there is a neuralgic component to your pain then gabapentin or pregabalin can help. Amytryptiline at night can be of benefit. A corset or brace can be useful during period of more acute pain depending on the location of your pain. Sometimes physiological help including cognitive behavioural therapy can help patients with chronic pain. I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query. Take care