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Suggest Treatment For Narrowing Of The Spinal Cord Causing Neuropthy
Posted on
Mon, 8 Jun 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 7 Jun 2015
Answered on
Mon, 6 Jul 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : what can be done for a narrowing of the spinal cord causing neuropthy?
Brief Answer:
Correct diagnosis needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Neuropathy by definition, is damage of peripheral nerves by different conditions (Diabetes, toxins, drugs, trauma, autoimmune diseases).
Neuropathy is not related to spinal stenosis (or at least spinal stenosis is not a common cause of neuropathy).
Spinal stenosis results in symptoms such pain and cramping in legs in a nerve distribution fashion, worsening of symptoms standing or walking, relief of symptoms when you sit.
Neuropathy results in symptoms such pins and needles, tingling, pain in a boots-like distribution fashion.
About your question, there is need for a correct diagnosis first, in order to evaluate if symptoms are related to neuropathy (Diabetes), or symptoms are related to failed back spine surgery.
There is need for an ENMG (nerve conduction study) in order to properly diagnose your condition.
There are some possibilities about treating neuropathy such good treatment of underlying cause (Diabetes eg), drugs like Gabapentin, Amytriptiline.
If the cause of your symptoms is failed back spine surgery, conservative treatment possibilities should be exhausted first, before discussing another surgical procedure.
These include physical therapy with the aim of strengthening back muscles and reducing joint load (traction), NSAID drugs,opioid drugs, spinal devices to reduce pain ( spinal cord stimulation implants) etc.
These issues should be discussed with your treating Doctor.
Hope this helps. If you have further questions and clarifications, feel free to ask.
Best regards.
Correct diagnosis needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Neuropathy by definition, is damage of peripheral nerves by different conditions (Diabetes, toxins, drugs, trauma, autoimmune diseases).
Neuropathy is not related to spinal stenosis (or at least spinal stenosis is not a common cause of neuropathy).
Spinal stenosis results in symptoms such pain and cramping in legs in a nerve distribution fashion, worsening of symptoms standing or walking, relief of symptoms when you sit.
Neuropathy results in symptoms such pins and needles, tingling, pain in a boots-like distribution fashion.
About your question, there is need for a correct diagnosis first, in order to evaluate if symptoms are related to neuropathy (Diabetes), or symptoms are related to failed back spine surgery.
There is need for an ENMG (nerve conduction study) in order to properly diagnose your condition.
There are some possibilities about treating neuropathy such good treatment of underlying cause (Diabetes eg), drugs like Gabapentin, Amytriptiline.
If the cause of your symptoms is failed back spine surgery, conservative treatment possibilities should be exhausted first, before discussing another surgical procedure.
These include physical therapy with the aim of strengthening back muscles and reducing joint load (traction), NSAID drugs,opioid drugs, spinal devices to reduce pain ( spinal cord stimulation implants) etc.
These issues should be discussed with your treating Doctor.
Hope this helps. If you have further questions and clarifications, feel free to ask.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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