| FAQ | My 22-year old nephew just had surgery for a disc problem. He doesn't even have a job lifting or carrying heavy objects. How can he have a herniated disc at his age? | Matt | 267 |
| FAQ | I went to see a physical therapist for chronic low back pain. There were several tests I had never done before. For example, the therapist asked me to count backwards by threes while she lifted my leg off the table. Then she tested my knee and ankle reflexes in two different positions. What are these tests for? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | The MRIs of my spine and my symptoms tell the doctor I have a herniated disc with cauda equina syndrome. I've been advised to have surgery right away. Do you agree with this idea? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | My husband saw our doctor for a sudden episode of low back pain. The diagnosis sent to the insurance company was just that: "back pain." That really just describes his main symptom. What's the real diagnosis? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I was diagnosed with lung cancer back in 1998. I had surgery and chemotherapy. I've been doing fine until last month when my back started hurting. Is there a quick and easy way to find out if the cancer has come back? That's my biggest fear about this back pain. | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I've been reading up on back pain. I see lots of studies from around the world on this topic. Scientists in Sweden seem to really follow their back pain patients the longest. Doesn't getting older increase the risk of back pain? How do they account for this factor? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | My mother is very overweight and complains about back pain constantly. The doctor won’t
operate on her until she loses 100 pounds. This isn't likely to happen. There are so many advances in today's medicine. Couldn’t she get some pain relief from surgery while still being overweight? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I'm supposed to have a stress test for my heart, but I have a bad back. I'm not sure I can do the test. Are there any other ways to get the same information without a stress test? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I'm 79-years old and in good health. I've started a weight-training program at the local health club. How often should I do my exercises to keep the benefit going? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I'm very distressed because my mother is in the hospital for back surgery. She seems to be in a lot of pain but the nurses won't give her anything more for it. They don't seem to really believe Mom. What can we do? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | My wife is having a nerve block to help with her back and leg pain. How is this done exactly? Will she come home the same day? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | My doctor has told me I have spinal stenosis. That's what's been causing my back pain and problems walking. I understand surgery may be needed. Is there any problem with putting it off? Will delaying the operation make things worse in the end? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I've been told a steroid injection can help my sciatica but I may still need surgery. Is there any point in getting my back injected if I'm just going to have the surgery anyway? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I've been doctoring for sciatica for six months now. It doesn't seem to be getting better. Where should I go for a second opinion? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I hurt my back on the job last week. The occupational physician at our worksite has encouraged me to keep working and stay active. My own family doctor advises rest and avoiding any movement or activities that make the pain worse. Now I don't know what to do. Which way should I go? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | My mother had two epidural injections and then six weeks of therapy for her chronic back pain. When the doctor asked her how she was doing, she said she was much better. We don't really see that she's any better. It seemed like she was just trying to please the doctor. Should we intervene and let them know? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I'm just getting back to an exercise program after months of being laid up with back pain. What's a good way to return to strength-training without reinjuring myself? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I've had chronic sacroiliac pain since the birth of my first child. X-rays didn't show anything but a CT scan shows significant degenerative arthritis in that area. What is it that shows up on a CT scan in this area that you can't see on an X-ray? | Matt | 268 |
| FAQ | I went to a physical therapist for back pain. I had to do three tests that involved sitting on the floor and getting up again, bending forward, and walking back and forth along the floor as fast as possible. What do these kinds of tests really show? | Matt | 269 |
| FAQ | I started having back pain about a month ago that seems to be getting worse instead of better. How can I tell if there's something seriously wrong with me? | Matt | 269 |
