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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Pain And Inflammation In The Lower Back Be Treated?

I am told by my neurosurgeon that he doesn t think I need surgery. I have pain all the time, inflammation. But he doesn t believe my nerves are being affected, Emg tests come out positive on upper and lower back, But he thinks is possible that nerves are compressed by inflammation which in turn is caused by damaged disks. There is just one area or disk that he believes might get better with surgery. I know that the damage is not in just one area, but I have symptoms that truly affect my life, thought he believes that my spine itself is stable. How can it be stable and yet have so much damage and cause me so much pain? Problem is on upper and lower back, but more noticeable on lower back and legs
Tue, 27 Mar 2018
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Diabetologist 's  Response
Hello,

One really needs to see your scan before a comment can be made upon the issue. If possible, please upload the pictures of the scan. I might add that the neurosurgeon may also be evaluating whether the condition will improve after surgery.

Please understand the subtle difference- you don’t need surgery either because your scan may not be so bad OR because the neurosurgeon does not (in his/her experience) think there will be improvements after surgery.

As for the stability of the spine and the associated pain, there are other features like he motor weakness and the sensory symptoms that need to be taken into account when considering stability.

However, if EMG is affected I think surgery may be looked into unless there is not much scope for improvement.

As I said, would need to see the scan before I can make a definite comment- so please upload the images of the scan and the report.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Saumya Mittal
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How Can Pain And Inflammation In The Lower Back Be Treated?

Hello, One really needs to see your scan before a comment can be made upon the issue. If possible, please upload the pictures of the scan. I might add that the neurosurgeon may also be evaluating whether the condition will improve after surgery. Please understand the subtle difference- you don’t need surgery either because your scan may not be so bad OR because the neurosurgeon does not (in his/her experience) think there will be improvements after surgery. As for the stability of the spine and the associated pain, there are other features like he motor weakness and the sensory symptoms that need to be taken into account when considering stability. However, if EMG is affected I think surgery may be looked into unless there is not much scope for improvement. As I said, would need to see the scan before I can make a definite comment- so please upload the images of the scan and the report. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Saumya Mittal