Greetings, Dr. Roach I am a 75-year-old man who has experienced soreness in my outside thigh muscles and buttocks. My health care physician recommended that I see an orthopedic specialist who specializes in back problems and ordered a lower back MRI.
Due to disc compression affecting the nerves, the doctor determined that I had lumbar spondylosis. Physical treatment was initially recommended by the doctor, but it was ineffective. Despite my reluctance to have surgery, the doctor did not recommend it.
He then directed me to a pain management specialist, and I now know that the course of therapy will probably involve an epidural injection in the area close to the spine in the lower back. I’m worried about the procedure’s efficacy and hazards, as well as whether there are any alternatives, like acupuncture or medical marijuana. — C.B.
ANSWER: Degenerative arthritis of the spine is known as spondylosis. This may cause the spinal cord itself or the nerves that emerge from it to be compressed by hard structures like bone, bone spurs, and ligaments. Although discomfort is typically the initial symptom, this might result in any combination of weakness, numbness, and agony. The cornerstone of conservative management is physical therapy.
Surgery should be the last remedy because the issue is anatomical, but it has drawbacks and isn’t always more beneficial than physical therapy. There are some exceptions, such as when someone has growing weakening, in which case an immediate surgical procedure is necessary.
In my view, a pain management specialist is the best consultant when surgery is not recommended. They can think about injections, medicine (such as painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs), and other therapies.
The data on acupuncture is conflicting, although some people clearly get relief. What isn t completely clear is whether it s better than sham acupuncture, where needles aren t inserted or placed in locations that are part of the traditional acupuncture treatment for low back pain.
Cannabis has been shown to provide a short-term improvement in pain compared to no treatment, but there are scant data on its long-term use or how it compares with other treatments.
A pain management expert can also discuss other possibilities, including facet joint injections, other types of injections, electrothermal and radiofrequency treatments, Botox, and spinal cord stimulators. Among their instruments are epidural injections.
More advice
-
Dear Abby: Divorcee’s new beau is pushing to get married sooner, rather than later
-
Asking Eric: Will new man’s overt attention to younger, pretty women tank this budding relationship?
-
Dear Annie: A friend of 50 years is researching her family tree. Should I tell her a family secret I ve held all this time?
Greetings, Dr. Roach Recently, my girlfriend visited the neighborhood drugstore where she usually receives her immunizations. She asked for the senior high-dose flu shot. According to the documentation, she received the Fluad vaccination. According to my investigation, this was not the high-dose flu vaccine that is currently on the market. Does she still need to receive the greater dose of the flu shot? — L.I.
ANSWER: There are two types of flu vaccines made specifically for seniors over 65. High-dose flu vaccines like Flublok and Fluzone High-Dose contain more of the purified flu antigens than a standard-dose vaccine, which might have been what you were expecting.
The Fluad vaccine contains an adjuvant, which is a substance added to make the vaccine more effective in seniors who often have an immune system that isn t quite as robust as it used to be. Any of these are considered ideal for seniors. Your girlfriend doesn t need to get any more vaccines.
If these special vaccines for seniors aren t available, a regular flu vaccine is still a good idea. I wouldn t wait — it s more important to get one now.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!