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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Back Pain In An Elderly Person
Posted on
Mon, 28 Dec 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 28 Dec 2015
Answered on
Thu, 21 Jan 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I have chronic back pain and has not improved over past five years since three lots of back fusion
I have been given a number if narcotic type drugs nothing seems to help I can only walk very short distance
With the aid of a walker I am a woman of 77 years alway active and now I can bearly dress myself I get so depressed I can't live with sitting around doing nothing plus my feet and legs are swollen to twice there normal size I am at my wits end no one seems to be able to help. XXXXXXX
I have been given a number if narcotic type drugs nothing seems to help I can only walk very short distance
With the aid of a walker I am a woman of 77 years alway active and now I can bearly dress myself I get so depressed I can't live with sitting around doing nothing plus my feet and legs are swollen to twice there normal size I am at my wits end no one seems to be able to help. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Needs investigations to find cause of edema.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
It seems that you have multiple degenerated discs at multiple levels. This can cause a chronic and severe pain and such pains are often a difficult thing to treat.
Perhaps physiotherapy, continued use of pain relieving medications along with alternative therapies such as accupunture may be helpful. Discuss about these options with the rheumatologist.
Few other options of treatment which may be useful in reducing pain and maintaining functional lifestyle are 'Transcutaneous Electric Nerve stimulation (TENS) units', relaxation techniques, occupational and physical therapy approaches.
You need to get blood tests, kidney function tests, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done to find out the cause of swelling of both feet.
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.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Needs investigations to find cause of edema.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
It seems that you have multiple degenerated discs at multiple levels. This can cause a chronic and severe pain and such pains are often a difficult thing to treat.
Perhaps physiotherapy, continued use of pain relieving medications along with alternative therapies such as accupunture may be helpful. Discuss about these options with the rheumatologist.
Few other options of treatment which may be useful in reducing pain and maintaining functional lifestyle are 'Transcutaneous Electric Nerve stimulation (TENS) units', relaxation techniques, occupational and physical therapy approaches.
You need to get blood tests, kidney function tests, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done to find out the cause of swelling of both feet.
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.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Answered by
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