Disc herniation occurs due to displacement of disc beyond the intervertebral disc space. It often occurs due to trauma, connective tissue disorders, and congenital disorders. It occurs commonly in the lumbar spine, followed by the cervical spine. Repetitive mechanical activities like twisting and bending can cause it. A sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, and obesity can also cause it. The symptoms are severe back pain, inability to walk, loss of bladder control, and muscle spasms. It is treated by taking pain-relieving medications (NSAIDs) and physiotherapy. Benzodiazepines are taken in low doses. In severe cases, surgery is required.
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I have radiating pain from the upper chest to the shoulders. Why?
Query: Hi doctor, I have been having pain around my esophagus, upper chest area as well as the bones under the eyes. The pain is radiating from upper chest to the shoulders. I am also having some memory problem. This has been slowly getting worse over a period of a couple of years. I can feel the pain on t... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The pattern of pain you're describing is likely attributed to one of the following possibilities. It could be nerve irritation, referred to as cervical radiculopathy, stemming from compression or irritation of a nerve root of the neck. This may be accompanied by numbness... Read Full »
Do I need surgery to resolve the protrusion felt in my lower back?
Query: Hi doctor,I have a protrusion in my lower back, and my local doctor suggests surgery. I am a sports person, and I have previously recovered from such issues with physiotherapy and exercise. Is there an absolute necessity to go for surgery? When I stand upright, I have pain in the left hamstring, lik... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Is there any history of numbness or tingling sensation in your legs and feet? Do you have any other symptoms suggesting neurological deficit, as per your doctor? Look, you can give a trial of conservative treatment, but there is a high chance of recurrence of the sam... Read Full »
Why is there numbness after hemilaminectomy surgery?
Query: Hello doctor, I am inquiring for a friend who underwent L4 - L5 hemilaminectomy surgery. He is recovering except for the persistent numbness, pins and needles and swelling in his left foot. It is more pronounced in the afternoon to evening. He is a teacher by profession. He has reported this to h... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It sounds like your friend is bothered by the persistent tingling and numbness in his left foot. I understand these sensations can be quite irritating, especially if your work involves standing for long periods. Did he have these tingling sensations in the same areas be... Read Full »
I have an L5-S1 disc hernia. How can I get relief from pain?
Query: Hello doctor,I suffer from an L5-S1 disc hernia, with pressure on the S1 root. I also have a partial tear in the right hip labrum. My surgeon is not sure which one is the cause of leg pain which starts at the low back and ends at the back of my feet. I suffer from a great deal of pain and would real... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concerns. Disc herniation causes considerable pain that needs step-wise management. I suggest: Physiotherapy consultation. Vitamin B12 ampoule IM every three days. Hot water bag massage three times per day. Deep heat cream three times a day. Piroxica... Read Full »
How to treat weakness and back pain faced after delivery?
Query: Hi doctor, A few days back my wife felt weakness and back pain and today she felt too much pain in backbone while sitting and while laying down. This pain started after delivery. She cannot move fast. This time she is in pain and I am very upset about what to do. She is a child's mother so please he... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. From her young age and recent childbirth, she might have suffered from a slipped disc in her back. Does she have any leg pain? Please note that if she suffers from any urine or bowel disturbance then she will need to see a specialist straight away. My recommendation ... Read Full »
Are mild arthritic changes in my spine limiting my neck movement?
Query: Hello doctor, I had a disk herniation from C2 to C3, which seems to have cleared up in the most recent image. I also have sporadic twitching of muscles all over my body, and the main problem now is the rotation of the head, and sometimes the head tilts left. My MRI reports suggest mild arthritic cha... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. Your MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) report suggests (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) degenerative disk disease, and the disk bulging is mainly due to the degeneration, which is causing indentati... Read Full »
What causes L4 and L5 disc problems?
Query: Hello doctor, I have chronic, worsening migraines with pain, tingling, and numbness all over, including the scalp, back of the neck, mid-back, and all over the lower body. I have migraines with light, sound, and smell sensitivity, insomnia, irregular bowel, and visual muscle rippling. I do have a h... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The pain in your lower back and both legs is from the disc problems, as mentioned in the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the lumbar spine review. The cause for the migraine and sensitivity symptoms is not clearly understandable from the images. It is possible... Read Full »
Why is my thumb numb after cervical surgery?
Query: Hi doctor, I had an MRI last year, which indicated a herniated disc and stenosis at C6-C7 left. So, I had cervical surgery ACDF. Still, l had pain for a couple of months and the MRI showed to my dismay that I still had stenosis with displacement of the C7 nerve root. Also, it showed that C5-C6 protr... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Sometimes it can take time for radiculopathy to improve even up to a year. If your neurological function is getting worse then a repeat MRI would be advisable. If the symptoms are the same and your neurological examination is not worse then you can wait before ... Read Full »
I had a surgery on my spine for disk herniation last year, but I have still not recovered. Why?
Query: Hello doctor,I had surgery on my spine for disc herniation last year. But still, I am not feeling recovered. I have full details and MRI on the file attached. Kindly help. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. I have seen your MRI reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity).I see that the surgery was done only at L4 to L5, but there is still a small protrusion at L5 to S1. The residual pain can be due t... Read Full »
I am diagnosed with disc slip. Please suggest treatment.
Query: Hello doctor, I have been diagnosed with L5-S1 16 mm disc slip. I have tried Hydrocortisone injection eight days ago which has done nothing. I have been passed between general practitioner (GP) and orthopedic surgeon and now I have to try physio. I have lower back pain that radiates to both legs and... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Sorry to hear this. It seems that the disc herniation in your back is responsible for your back and leg pain due to compression of the nerves in your lumbar spine (lower back). If the pain is not responding to treatment then you may be a candidate for surgery. Dependi... Read Full »
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