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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Back Pain
Posted on
Thu, 21 Jan 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 21 Jan 2016
Answered on
Wed, 17 Feb 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I have had back pain for years. The past two years I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. My L4 and 5 are moving together to fuse on its own but I am tilted so gravity is causing it to slip and it's not fusing evenly. I just had an X-ray last night and there are a lot of white spots on each side of my spine and where my back problem is. I am concerned as to what this is. I do have hoshimotos thyroiditis auto immune disease and it has caused many problems with my health.
Brief Answer:
Usually normal areas however please upload copy of x ray should you have it
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. There can be many causes for white spots to be seen on either side of the spine.
2. Most often it is due to normal structures like fecal matter in the bowel or normal calcified areas. Rarely it can be degenerative bone changes seen as white areas.
3. I wish to have a look at your x ray myself to confirm the white spots which you see. Please upload a copy of the x ray should you have it.
Waiting to hear updates from you.
Regards,
Usually normal areas however please upload copy of x ray should you have it
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. There can be many causes for white spots to be seen on either side of the spine.
2. Most often it is due to normal structures like fecal matter in the bowel or normal calcified areas. Rarely it can be degenerative bone changes seen as white areas.
3. I wish to have a look at your x ray myself to confirm the white spots which you see. Please upload a copy of the x ray should you have it.
Waiting to hear updates from you.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I'm trying to figure out how to upload the images to you
Brief Answer:
Please upload the picture using following instructions
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. You can click on the upload button in the query window and select the picture and upload it.
2. You might like to mail the picture to YYYY@YYYY and YYYY@YYYY and write query Id 247483 Attn Dr Vivek Chail in the subject line and the picture will reach me.
3. Please feel free to call customer care if you require more help on how to upload the picture. Call us at
USA: +1-718-340-3660
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Australia: +61-02-8003-6702
India: +91-80-4190-3696
Regards,
Please upload the picture using following instructions
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. You can click on the upload button in the query window and select the picture and upload it.
2. You might like to mail the picture to YYYY@YYYY and YYYY@YYYY and write query Id 247483 Attn Dr Vivek Chail in the subject line and the picture will reach me.
3. Please feel free to call customer care if you require more help on how to upload the picture. Call us at
USA: +1-718-340-3660
UK: +44-20-3287-6206
Australia: +61-02-8003-6702
India: +91-80-4190-3696
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
These films were taken yesterday .
Brief Answer:
There are few artifacts in the picture
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. I can see 2 linear opacities at the level of L1 vertebra overlying the lower border of left 12 rib. This is likely to be a metallic artifact from clothing or something similar. It is not because of bone changes.
2. There are multiple tiny spots and streaks in the AP view with few streaks and this might represent roller marks when the film was printed. No other abnormal white spots are visible.
3. The L5 S1 interface appears hazy and with a suspected misalignment.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
There are few artifacts in the picture
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. I can see 2 linear opacities at the level of L1 vertebra overlying the lower border of left 12 rib. This is likely to be a metallic artifact from clothing or something similar. It is not because of bone changes.
2. There are multiple tiny spots and streaks in the AP view with few streaks and this might represent roller marks when the film was printed. No other abnormal white spots are visible.
3. The L5 S1 interface appears hazy and with a suspected misalignment.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have uploaded first my X-rays from previous year.
As well as the X-rays I received yesterday. I'm going to submit one more picture as I have circled the areas of white spots the chiropractor is concerned about. Like calcium build up.
As well as the X-rays I received yesterday. I'm going to submit one more picture as I have circled the areas of white spots the chiropractor is concerned about. Like calcium build up.
Brief Answer:
White spots are explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. In some of the images there are small circles which you have marked and these are the pedicles which are normal structures in the bones.
2. The larger circle to the left side is the scaro iliac joint and is a normal feature in every one.
3. The encircled predominantly white area in the mid part of the x ray is the L5 S 1 interface which shows features of misalignment.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
White spots are explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. In some of the images there are small circles which you have marked and these are the pedicles which are normal structures in the bones.
2. The larger circle to the left side is the scaro iliac joint and is a normal feature in every one.
3. The encircled predominantly white area in the mid part of the x ray is the L5 S 1 interface which shows features of misalignment.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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