lower back pain surgery?
Hello there. My back pain has not responded to all conventional types of treatment including physio and chiro. It has been going on for over 5 years and is seriously hindering my quality of life. The problem is that the mri and ct and x-rays show nothing. I have heard that surgery can be warranted when a patient doesn't respond to physical therapy (pretty much my situation). I have tried everything and nothing has worked! I want to get a spinal fusion or something. What are your guy's thoughts?
Articulos relacionados
- No related posts
There is not an orthopedic doctor or a neurosurgeon who is going to fuse vertebrae that do not clearly need it. Fusions have complications and limit the range of motion in the area that was operated on, and the impairment is permanent. If the tests are all coming back without showing significant injury to the spine, maybe you should request an EMG or Nerve Conduction Test. Although I am sure that your doctors would have noticed nerve damage from the MRI's and CT's, or from your physical exams in the office, it could be one more thing that would potentially show a defect and explain the pain you are having. Other than that, I have to agree with the first poster. While your pain may in fact be very real, it may be a manifestation of psychiatric problems or imbalances such as depression. The pain is real, so do not think that I am calling you a faker or liar, but the pain is not caused by an injury or defect in the body. Certain antidepressants have been found to be very helpful in relieving pain, such as Cymbalta and Amitriptilyne. Ask for a referral to a Pain Management Doctor. They can have you evaluated by a psychiatrist and work with you to treat the pain while the psychiatrist treats the depression, if that is the case.
April 24th, 2009 at 7:39 amfusion only works when there is something requiring fusion, when the vertebrae cannot function individually. if you have had both an MRI and a CAT & your docs can't see any malformation, then there is no reason for fusion. at this point, i suggest you consider some counseling….no, you're not crazy, but persistent pain that is not due to an organic reason might be based in the mind. it's worth checking out. also, ask for a referral to a pain clinic; they might have an alternative treatment (such as epidural pain injections into the spinal column). last but not least, are you perhaps overweight? that can really impact low back function.
good luck! i have severe low back pain but it's due to osteoarthritis. i know how bad it feels.
April 24th, 2009 at 7:39 amup your pain killers and try medical marijuana.
April 24th, 2009 at 7:39 amYou need to find a good pain clinic in your area. It can be injected. They put you under light anesthesia and inject it. Pain goes away. Sometimes it needs repeat but very seldom. You will need a driver for that day. When you wake up you go home. No lifting for 3 days. It really helps by lower back. I was told that I needed back surgery also. I am not willing to have it right now at age 54. So I sought out the Pain Clinic and they have really helped me. I would try this step before going threw such an evasive procedure.
April 24th, 2009 at 7:39 am