What Causes Sudden Pain In Lower Back And Right Shoulder?

Posted on Wed, 30 Sep 2015

Question: My mother is 76 years old. She measures 4'9" and weighs 150lbs. She has been a diabetic since her mid forties and she controls it with diet and medications (metformin and glymeperide). In the beginning of August she suffered from sudden severe pain on her lower back, followed by four days of severe pain in her right shoulder. This pain subsided, but was followed by nightly low grade fevers (99.8 to 100.4, occasionally 101.3) which have persisted for nearly five weeks. Unfortunately the lower back pain has also persisted all this time. Inspecting this area, it appears that small blood vessels have broken in that area (spider veins). She has had blood word done and has had several visits to her gp. No Lyme, thyroid normal, red blood counts slightly low and white count is slightly elevated. Urine tests are clear. Kidney function normal. Her appetite is decreased but she has not lost weight. Fevers begin in afternoon and continue through the early evening(12-6pm). Slight chills. We are baffled by this situation. She is waiting for authorization for an MRI (lower back).

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
She needs MRI of lumbar spine.

Detailed Answer:
Hl

I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar an orthopedician. I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

As she has evening rise of temperature and loss of appetite along with backache, MRI is an important investigation and needs to be done. Possibilities of chronic infection including tuberculosis of lumbar spine needs to be ruled out. MRI is going to do that. Perhaps her treating doctor / orthopedician may provide a written statement to expedite authorisation.

In the meanwhile do we have ESR (a blood test) report? A high ESR is suggestive of an inflammatory condition. I will also suggest that takes analgesic and rest. The shoulder pain may or may not be related. I will recommend that she consults an orthopedician to evaluate further. .

Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.

Wishing you a good health.
Take care.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad