Suggest Treatment For Left-sided Back Pain

Posted on Fri, 22 Jan 2016

Question: I have excruciating pain on my left side (back). If I sleep on my left side, I am unable to get out of bed for several hours. I have a spinal condition (chronic) and have heavy duty narcotics. It still takes a couple of hours before I can stand after taking one. I am completely incapacitated. I have an internal stimulator which stops me from having an mri. X-rays show nothing

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get CT spine of lumbosacral region for bone and joint

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Low back pain may be due to disc or joint related.
If symptoms of disc are present then physiotherapy, medications like pain killers with muscle relaxant, Nerve modulator like gabapentin or amitryptiline or pregabalin has to be used. Operative indications should be discussed with your treating neurologist or neurosurgeon.
In case of suspected bone or joint involvement CT may be of use in presence of stimulator.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (7 minutes later)

My pain is in my back (not close to the spine), underneath my rib on the left side

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Provide more details and get CT

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The upper back region below rib line may be better assessed with CT study as disc related diseases are less common at this level.
You should get a CT of spine thoracic region or chest after consulting your treating doctor on basis of location of pain site and clinical examination findings.
How long have been the pain?
Any history of skin lesions or herpes zoster infection?
Any trauma, swelling, tuberculosis or chronic cough?
Any cardiac illness?
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (14 minutes later)

There was trauma to this area. A cast iron table and chairs fell on me. I still have an indentation on my thigh from bruising. The set was extremely heavy. It happened about 6 months ago. My palms and fingers are peeling

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility of trauma related fracture

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Such a trauma may have lead to some rib fracture or vertebral collapse causing chronic pain.
You should get CT imaging to get a clear picture.
Pain modulator in meantime may be helpful.
Regards
Dr N Kumar

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D