I have lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Also, have failed back syndrome after previous laminectomy and fusion (L5-S1) with bone growth stim device implant. Laminectony and fusion was done due to spondylolythesis, herniated disc with nerve compression as well as DJD and complete fracture of facet joints.Have suffered with neuropathy in right leg/foot since pre-surgery. Now have 8mm herniated disc at L4 and L3 with nerve compression. Also Grade 2 spondylolythesis and significant degeneration of L3 and L4. Have had numerous injections to back, RFA, oral steroids, NSAIDs. Do need to lose weight (am working on this). Do take opiates for pain. Neuropathy has worsened, have buttocks (bilat) pain and right leg pain. Also, have had several episodes where I cannot lift my legs,can only shuffle when I walk, back spasms as well. Sleep is impossible. Take lyrica for neuropathy with minimal relief and neuropathy has worsened recently. Am so-o sick of dealing with this all but would like to avoid surgery if possible. Any advice?
I am feeling pain in the right knee joint. the pain is felt starting from lower back spine , then in right kneew joint, then in the muscles below the knee join and in the foot .
Also on movement of the knee , bending or unfolding or folding, a sound like tuk is heard.
I had an x-ray which is stating that possible loose calcific opacity in the joint.
Please let me know is this is a serious problem, can this lead to arthritis or is this the start of the arthritis.
Is there any permanenet treament to get rid of this and can this be permanently cured.
I am very much worried about the problem, please help me on this.
thanks.
Doctor's Answer
Please Get X ray or MRI of your Lower Back !! will have to clear whether the pain arising is from back and referred to knee and foot, or is solely knee joint pain. when you hear sound like tuk while folding or unfolding ie bending and straightening your knees, that means your popliteus muscle ie behind the knee joint is weak and complete load is taken by the meniscus or ligament supporting the knee. i would advise you 3 things, get mri scan for lower back, strengthen the muscle and ligament of y ... Read Full Answer
My father is 78 years old and has been suffering from constipation for the last 2 years. He has also lost a lot of weight around 10 kgs in this time span. In the last couple of months he has been complaining that his abdominal muscles have torn due to bowel straining and now he says there is loss of muscle in his stomach area. Which is why when he lies down everything is fine but when he sits up and walks around he feels like he is carrying a weight in his stomach. After intake of food it becomes worse and he also gets bloating. We have done all possible tests - colonoscopy, CT scan, ultrasound sometime last year and everything was clear. The doctors gave a verdict of idiopathic constipation and left it at that. His blood work is fine, haemoglobin levels, cholestrol etc. He still suffers from constipation. His prostrate is enlarged but results are fine. What is the solution to his stomach muscle problem ? Is it lack of exercise, lack of protein ? He doesnt have a pot belly and has never had and had always been physically active and fairly slender.
Doctor's Answer
Hi,
History told by you favours irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS ). There are two alarming signs in your case :
Firstly, loss of weight and that to10kg approx.
Secondly, sensation of carrying a weight in stomach.
Both of them do occurs in IBS. But to be on safer side,I would suggest you to go for colonoscopy again because it was done 1 yr back and symptoms have aggravated few months back.
Treatments available for IBS -
- Increase the level of physical activity.
- Have regular meals and take t ... Read Full Answer
Sir i am suffering from knee sweeling in my rt knee for 6 month,two times i hv removed water(aspiration) from it bt never found relief.some time it decrease and some time increase.all tests x rays,crp,esr are normal not yet i found any relief.4 years ago same problem were in my lft knee and dr. Removed 2 pieces(tissue) from lft knee which were found normal(non specific),till one month after surgery i couldn't bent knee even a little bit,i took physiotherapy by wax and till 9 months i could bent it onle 80% after 1.5 or 2 year i could bent it properly 100 bt with pain,still there is pain when i bent it proper,and also swelling in rt knee.Dr.'s Of hospital in which i get surgery 4 yrs ago said that same surgery will pass in rt knee,bt i am afraid because still there is pain in my lft knee,if i pass again surgery in rt knee i will face same problem of pain in my rt knee,please advice me sir if there another way to get treated without surgery like med. Or i should get treated by surgery,i am just 23 yr old boy,still there is whole life for me to live please help me.
Doctor's Answer
Try with some good physio therapist ,with CPM and manual therapy skills. ... Read Full Answer
About 5 years ago I noticed a dramatic reduction of the muscle mass (Muscle atrophy) in my right calf muscle, like 75% to 80% reduction compared to my Left calf Muscle (possible the gastrocnemius), I also noticed that my Achilles is also very loose, when in a relaxed state, compared to the left leg. What could be the possible problems? There is no pain (other than uneasiness like restless leg syndrome) associated with this problem.
I do have a lower back problem (damage) that was done 30 years ago to the L4/L5 herniated disk. Now I have noticed that other muscles are starting to harden and reduce like the one did 5 years ago.
I went on a 15 mile hike in the mountains this past summer and I am very active during the day. However I do not regularly exercise as I should.
Thoughts?
Doctor's Answer
Hello Sir,
You are suffering from myopathy for which a thorough examination needs to be done. Blood tests like Creatine kinase and Electrodiagnostic tests like Electromyography [ E.M.G.] should be done. Nerve conduction studies for the affected limb should be done.
Many endocrine disorders can also cause myopathy such as thyroid , parathyroid , adrenal disorders , Diabetes , Vitamin - D deficiency etc.
You need to go to your nearest doctor for clinical assessment . Moreover other blood ... Read Full Answer
For my sister in the age of 14, few steroids injected to suppress the growth of an abscess which was grown due to herpes viral infection in the upper lip below nose. The abscess growth stopped and we satisfied about the medication. Now she is 30, but her personnel body growth is getting reduced day by day. She is around 40 kg now. We have a doubt, is there any side effect happened because of the steroid injected.
Doctor's Answer
Hi,
Steroids given by systemic route play a role in body stunting,but once the full body size is achieved or height is achieved,then body stunting doesn't occur and steroid leads to increase in weight gain and does not reduce weight.
So if her personal body growth is reducing now after gaining full weight and height, the cause should not be steroid taken at that tender age,and she should have a detailed examination and investigation to find out the cause of the disease.
Feel free to ask more ... Read Full Answer
