How to proceed with the treatment for back pain?

Question

Hi doctor,

My back is burning and the pain is extreme. I have been diagnosed with a pinched spinal nerve and arthritis in my shoulders. How to proceed further?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You have mentioned a burning sensation in your lower back region along with pain. Also, there seems to be a nerve compression at one of the spinal levelsdue to which you must be having symptoms in your legs (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Anyways to start with, if there is no major neurological involvement, then conservative management in the form of intensive physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, adequate calcium and vitamin D to keep bone metabolism healthy and depending upon the severity of symptoms, neuropathic medications like Pregabalin or Gabapentin can be initiated and doses have to be adjusted accordingly. Adequate precautions like not bending forwards acutely and no heavy weight lifting have to be observed. You can get back to me with your doctor's prescription mentioning your spine examination details, medications, and investigations like x-rays, MRI scan, etc., for further advice. Also, I would like to briefly mention that you are very young to have any significant joint arthritis unless there is a prior history of injury to the affected joint or it is a manifestation of a generalized pathology.

Thank you.