Osteoarthritis of the spine, Dilip Sengupta, MD

Hear Dr. Sengupta present the structure and function of the spine, and conditions like lumbar disc herniation (often called "sciatica"), lumbar stenosis and claudication pain, and lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis. The discs act as a cushion for the spine and if they start to push on the nerves it causes pain. Sciatica is a symptom, not the disease (pain goes down the leg) -- the diagnosis might be something different. More than 80% of patients do get better on their own no matter what treatment you have, or no treatment at all. Pain medication is the first line of treatment along with exercises and activity modification. Never stay in bed or remain inactive and learn the right way to lift and carry things. Not all exercises are appropriate in the beginning; you may need help from a professional to find the right way to do an exercise. After you've tried those options, surgery may be the next best choice --a discectomy. Dr. Sengupta provides satisfaction data up to four years out from patients who had surgery versus those who did not. Spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease is when there is not enough space between vertebrae. As you bend forward you open up space for the nerves. Most patients age 60 or over often have this problem but may not be experiencing any symptoms -- don't jump to an MRI too soon. Keep active, do exercises, use a cane if you need to. Also try acupuncture, massage, physical therapy or see a chiropractor. It is important to get going -- keep doing household activities, plus exercises. Swimming can be particularly helpful. If nothing else is working, surgery is the answer -- a laminectomy. In this procedure, a bone is taken out, leaving the nerves uncovered (which is perfectly safe). Dr. Sengupta also provides four and ten year data for patients who had surgery versus those who did not. With spondylolisthesis one bone slips on top of another. The pain can be chronic or acute; as you move it hurts. Nicotine does cause this issue so plan to quit as an early measure. The important messages overall are that just because you feel pain, it doesn't mean you are causing harm. Keep active and don't simply lay in bed. Surgery is a risk and can be controversial -- it isn't always the right choice.
Learn more at: bit.ly/dh-osteo

[@lorijp2011]

Pain CAN kill someone! Chronic pain causes depression, it can lead to pain meds abuse, it leads to a loss of life enjoyment. Pain is torture and then leads to dire problems that are caused by chronic pain. Having a dismissive attitude toward chronic pain is unethical, shows a lack of compassion.

[@yoya4766]

Drs are dismissive, they're a species of cold fuckers.

[@srdking079]

He failed to mention what happens when bone deaerates and spurs are everywhere. I’ve lost most of my range of motion surgeons can’t fix me. It started in my late 20’s. So not the typical old age. So if you suspect this get to a doctor early.

[@Prateek_Rathee2102]

What are early measures?

[@karencoa7534]

Doctor thankyou very much, it started to sound scary after a while and I hope I dont get to the point of surgery. You explained the condition very well.
Nerve pain is terrible and comes out of nowhere so one minute your ok the next you could be in excruciating trouble.
Yes it hurts I have this and I will keep trying to keep active .
I like your style ' get going ' thankyou and I do find alot of relief in hot water

[@phyllisanastasiades1048]

Very inspirational and helpful. I feel better already.

[@varshanimbkar605]

Ys like ur opinions....wht abt spine u hv given suggestion n do exercises n keep working,,,coz just I got changes in denerative artiheritis

[@saradindukar8957]

TELL SOMETHING ABOUT KNEE OSTEOARTHIRITIS FEELING PAIN IN KNEE WHEN GOING OUTSIDE

[@debanjanmondalphysio]

If someone told me that in disc protrusion Chiropractic physical therapy is not working!I have to say go and read about Mackenzee exercise.

[@debanjanmondalphysio]

That is different topic.but if somebody told me that physiotherapy management in disc protrusion is useless then I have to lough.

[@anthonymartin3604]

You really know what you are talking about we are in UK whereabouts are you based please

[@moni51948]

I have some pain from osteoarthritis. I was looking for more information but I was having trouble understanding this Doctor's English. I don't mean to be negative but there were some explanations I could not understand and my CC did not capture it all. This may have been beneficial to me.

[@yoya4766]

use subtitles moron.