Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Disc Disease

Posted on Sun, 14 May 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 14 May 2017 Answered on

Tue, 6 Jun 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Next step I have spinal stenosis and 4 swollen disks,since mid January. Great relief from 6day package of pregnazone, also been on 300 mg of gaba pentin since February. cortisone epidurmal on 22 March gave relief at first but is wearing off, finally 2 months of therapy mainly flex exercises and strengthening of back muscles and 2 sessions of accupuncture. . looking at more therapy, another cortisone epidurmal , spinal surgery?Also need MD references for XXXXXXX Tullahoma and XXXXXXX areas. I have had MRIs and X Rays. So far I have only seen my family physician specoalist in middle Tennesee area.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Degenerative spine changes

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

Based on your history of spinal stenosis at multiple levels with disc swelling, these findings are suggestive of degenerative changes in the spine.

Surgery can be an option if there is no improvement in the current condition plus to prevent any impending damage to spinal cord itself and avoid paralysis. If any radiculopathy develops , meaning if there are paresthesia, numbness and weakness in a leg then decompression surgery may be advised.

Remember age is not a contraindication in degenerative spine surgeries.
For the time being, Pregabalin, physiotherapy, epidurals, acupuncture, in short symptomatic approach would be the way to go rather than invasive surgery.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any query

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107

Dr. M.S. Khalil

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