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Spinal Osteoarthritis

Philpug

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The reason I went into the Urgent Care was for my lower back issues. After the doctors addressed the heart issues, they concentrated on my initial problem with my back which after X-rays and a CTscan turns out to be Spinal Osteoarthritis. In doing some looking here on the site, it seems it has been more previlent in knees.. I have been doing the common treatments, heat/stretch/cold, TENS devices along with lidocaine patches but is still persists. The next step is probably to see a spine specialist and possibly cortisone shots.
 

wiread

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if there's not stenosis, while the shots might help with pain, the arthritis is a result of likely long term biomechanical deficits. so get the shot if you must, then get with a good rehab guy and address the deficits/imbalance. if I could manage the pain, I'd just do the rehab and skip the shots. it can take some time but you'll be better for it.

Arthritis is often just there and it can be causing an issue, or not :) plenty of people have severe joint deterioration and pain, and with some work still have joint deterioration and no pain or at least very manageable. The xray finding by itself isn't always very significant if that makes sense.
 

Ron

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I've been dealing with that for a while now, I have seen two specialist, who's primary focus is back pain and both work closely with spinal surgeons. You will need to have an MRI to really identify the problem (MRI;s dont tell everything and are just a relative guide). it can range from impinged nerves from narrow Foramen to bulged disks and on and on. the good news is most are highly treatable with excellent outcome. In my case, I have very little disk space in several lower disks and impinged nerves in the foramen, my dr used a newer treatment involving the deadening of the nerves at the spine and its been almost a year of ZERO pain. I've also had spinal surgery where they cleared out the foramen and repaired a "extruded" disc which was also extremely successful. so the good news is getting treatment can be highly effective however, it will take time to go through the process of testing and such.

You could also benefit from going to a physical therapist who has a specialty in back issues . that can also be highly effective. Also, daily stretching and yoga, both dr's strongly suggested yoga as contributing to a higher success rate with pain mitigation.
 
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Prosper

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if there's not stenosis, while the shots might help with pain, the arthritis is a result of likely long term biomechanical deficits. so get the shot if you must, then get with a good rehab guy and address the deficits/imbalance. if I could manage the pain, I'd just do the rehab and skip the shots. it can take some time but you'll be better for it.

Arthritis is often just there and it can be causing an issue, or not :) plenty of people have severe joint deterioration and pain, and with some work still have joint deterioration and no pain or at least very manageable. The xray finding by itself isn't always very significant if that makes sense.
Yes, absolutely to the above. If you’re just having back pain and no signs or symptoms of a pinched spinal nerve root (lumbar radiculopathy) then the treatment is usually PT. A good history and physical exam by your PCP should be able to easily determine whether you’re having lumbar radiculopathy. If so you should have a MRI done. If not, getting a MRI is of questionable benefit without 1st trying PT and other conservative treatments for a period of 1-3 months.
 
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Philpug

Philpug

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Yeah, I was told that while the CTscan was good, they will learn more with the MRI. We have a good friend who is a PT who has back issues of his own so he will be my first go to.
 

Noodler

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If you do invest in pain management for your lower back, then I recommend going with an IFC unit instead of TENS. I use the NexWave IFC (although it can do TENS also). I've dealt with a good amount of pain issues and the IFC based treatment truly works wonders.

 

Ron

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Here's the treatment I had done last May, its highly successful and covered by most insurance's due to the success rate. Note, it takes about 6 weeks of testing, including 2 injections before the actual ablation procedure is approved (you have to "pass" the the tests). It was done in office. results are felt within a few days but continue for about 6 weeks.

 

Paul Lutes

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Wait .... heart issues??

You seem to be up to speed on the spinal situation - keep us posted and best of luck!
 

Scrundy

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Here's the treatment I had done last May, its highly successful and covered by most insurance's due to the success rate. Note, it takes about 6 weeks of testing, including 2 injections before the actual ablation procedure is approved (you have to "pass" the the tests). It was done in office. results are felt within a few days but continue for about 6 weeks.

Heard the same, that’s my next course as soon as I pay off the steroid injections. Doc says it can last a year or 3 years, just depends on how quick your nerves grow back.
 
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Philpug

Philpug

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I went and saw my PT this AM and in doing a bunch of stretches he straightened me out a bit and feel significantly better, the vast majority of the pain is gone and I feel I can actually ski and suck at least a moderate level. The worst part about getting this done this morning is that I will be stationary in the car for most of the day. I will use the TENS device and try to keep the muscles loose with that.
 

wiread

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I went and saw my PT this AM and in doing a bunch of stretches he straightened me out a bit and feel significantly better, the vast majority of the pain is gone and I feel I can actually ski and suck at least a moderate level. The worst part about getting this done this morning is that I will be stationary in the car for most of the day. I will use the TENS device and try to keep the muscles loose with that.
Those TENS units are good for very chronic conditions that don't respond well to anything else. I see more benefit with actual interferential units and even that is limited, TENS basically fatigue nerve endings so you don't feel as much. It's for quality of life sometimes, as sometimes it's better to just have some relief than none, but I always say, feeling things is good. Let's you know when it's too much etc. If you can manage and make better with other things, I think it's always better to go that route.
 

Prosper

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I went and saw my PT this AM and in doing a bunch of stretches he straightened me out a bit and feel significantly better, the vast majority of the pain is gone and I feel I can actually ski and suck at least a moderate level. The worst part about getting this done this morning is that I will be stationary in the car for most of the day. I will use the TENS device and try to keep the muscles loose with that.
Stop more often that you typically do. Do some of the back PT during those stops. Seat heat can help keep the muscles loose and can feel nice as well.
 

crgildart

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Hanging is what helps mine most Wish I had a place to set up some gravity boots. But even just hanging from a pull up bar or tree branch for a couple minutes works wonders to straighten and stretch out my lower back.
 

Blue Streak

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I've been dealing with that for a while now, I have seen two specialist, who's primary focus is back pain and both work closely with spinal surgeons. You will need to have an MRI to really identify the problem (MRI;s dont tell everything and are just a relative guide). it can range from impinged nerves from narrow Foramen to bulged disks and on and on. the good news is most are highly treatable with excellent outcome. In my case, I have very little disk space in several lower disks and impinged nerves in the foramen, my dr used a newer treatment involving the deadening of the nerves at the spine and its been almost a year of ZERO pain. I've also had spinal surgery where they cleared out the foramen and repaired a "extruded" disc which was also extremely successful. so the good news is getting treatment can be highly effective however, it will take time to go through the process of testing and such.

You could also benefit from going to a physical therapist who has a specialty in back issues . that can also be highly effective. Also, daily stretching and yoga, both dr's strongly suggested yoga as contributing to a higher success rate with pain mitigation.
He knows
 

Blue Streak

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crgildart

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I have one of these. You might give it a try. They feel good on the back.
Yep, compression is the main trigger for my pain.. stepping of the curb funny.. even jumping on a trampoline for too long or an awkward landing will cause pain and spasms. hanging and allowing gravity to pull all those disks apart for a few minutes works wonders.
 

Brian Likes Pow

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I've been in a steady schedule of PT double sessions for a shoulder and back issues twice a week for like 4 months now. tight hips and muscle imbalances were the source come to find out. These people have done some pretty gnarly stuff on the table and worked me pretty hard...and ive done alot on my own but its worth it. Dry needling seems to have good results with me as weird and uncomfy as it feels
 

ADKmel

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I have one of these. You might give it a try. They feel good on the back.

I love my teeter-- it's a huge relief for my sciatica and feels really good.. highly recommend too.
 

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