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Suggest Treatment For Spinal Stenosis
Question: Hi, My husband has cervical stenosis in his upper back and lower back. He just had an MRI and it showed arthritis and disc disease. He has a hard time urinating and doing a BM. He complains of pressure around the tailbone. It's very hard for him to do any amount of walking. What can be done about disc disease short of surgery. He's 82, and 2 yrs. ago had a triple bypass. Is there any hope for him? He's terrified of more surgery...
Brief Answer:
Vertebral traction may help.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. The spinal nerves exit from either side of the vertebrae of the vertebral column. Due to any reason if the spaces between the vertebrae (plural of vertebra) reduces, it creates pressure on the spinal nerves thus leading to the neuropathic pain that you describe. Cervical stenosis is just another name of the narrowing of those openings between the vertebrae of the cervical (neck) region. Degenerating disks lead to loss of the structural support of those gaps. Furthermore, if the disks between vertebrae yield and bulge into the space reserved for the spinal column, the pain aggravates even further.
Treatment comprises of spinal traction (to widen the spaces) and methods like ultrasonotherapy, heat therapy and physiotherapy for local relief. Norco is an opioid pain killer. Discuss with your treating doctor about what seems to be best for you. Surgery can be required in extreme cases.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Vertebral traction may help.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. The spinal nerves exit from either side of the vertebrae of the vertebral column. Due to any reason if the spaces between the vertebrae (plural of vertebra) reduces, it creates pressure on the spinal nerves thus leading to the neuropathic pain that you describe. Cervical stenosis is just another name of the narrowing of those openings between the vertebrae of the cervical (neck) region. Degenerating disks lead to loss of the structural support of those gaps. Furthermore, if the disks between vertebrae yield and bulge into the space reserved for the spinal column, the pain aggravates even further.
Treatment comprises of spinal traction (to widen the spaces) and methods like ultrasonotherapy, heat therapy and physiotherapy for local relief. Norco is an opioid pain killer. Discuss with your treating doctor about what seems to be best for you. Surgery can be required in extreme cases.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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