Question 1

ct scan of pelvis- l5/s1 degenerative disc disease with loss of disc height, vacuum phenomena, endplate sclerosis and anterior bridging osteophytes. i have tremendous back pain, time to see a back specialist?

Accepted Answer

: Start with your primary care provided. The radiology findings may or may not be related to your back pain. It is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion without examining you.
Regular aerobic exercise will help by improving strength and flexibility of your muscles. Any exercise for 30 minutes will do that makes you sweat.
Wish you good health!

Question 2

are spondylosis and osteoarthritis the same thing?  what is vacuum disc phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

yes: Spondylosis is basically osteoarthritic involvement of the spine. The vacuum disc is a result of the accumulation of gas, especially nitrogen, in the crevices of the disc as a result of degenerative changes in the disc.

Question 3

my back hurts when i vacuum, mop, bend over to clean bathtub and lift. its on the left side and almost unbearable? what could be the reason and what should i do?

Accepted Answer

See your doctor: This problem can only be solved by seeing your doctor and being evaluated face-to-face.  After a thorough examination, your doctor should be able to tell you what's wrong and what to do about it.

Question 4

live in nc and my husband picked up a gate in garage (no dragging) and we noticed black mouse droppings (10ish) he put the gate back. nothing was moved or disturbed. is this an exposure for hantavirus? we didn't sweep or vacuum? we both were standing

Accepted Answer

Not Likely: Too far fetched and not likely at all to get Hantavirus this senario

Question 5

what does it mean if the lumbar area of my back hurts so much after doing some vacuuming?

Accepted Answer

Stop vacuuming: It means you need to see a spine specialist (pm;r/physiatrist or anesth. With spine fellowship).  

This is a very common complaint with my patients starting around your age.  Although numerous things can be the source of the pain in that area, the lumbar facet joints seem to be the culprit many times.  
Anti-inflammatories and possibly pt can be tried, but injection procedures may be the best.

Question 6

undiagnosed injury from a backpack vacuum in my upper back clavicle near t2. it's been a year and doctors have no answers. it's one pinpoint spot that stings and burns, makes me unable to turn head or move arm. mri, electromyography and xray normal.

Accepted Answer

See pain doc: Localized pain without x Ray findings can be a problem for the patient and practitioners  when cause is elusive. I suspect the real issue is from your cervical spine with pain referral. Get an x Ray with full flexion and extension views of c spine to look for ligamentous laxity. Get trial of local lidocaine injections (or buy 5% topical at pharmacy) to T2 area. Use neck bolster during sleep.

Question 7

my back xray results:

1.osseous neural foramina are patent
2.limbus vertebrae noted l1 and l2
3. vacuum phenomena noted l2-3 and l3-4

symptoms
lower back pain
pins and needles in hands

should i see a specialist(and what type) or is it not serious?

Accepted Answer

Disc disease: There is evidence of advanced degeneration of lumbar discs which play a role in your back symptoms but aren't causing hand symptoms. I recommend consulting a neurologist or neurosurgeon for best evaluation and advice. To evaluate your hand symptoms, an MRI of the neck vertebrae will most likely be advised.

Question 8

herniated disc in spine. now wnat?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor: I assume you have had an MRI to know this. A herniated disc may cause leg pain and numbness, but with medications, physical therapy, injections, the symtpoms may resolve.  However, if the pain persists, or you develop weakness you should see a spine surgeon for further evaluation.

Question 9

is spine fusing a better option than disc replacement?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It depends on the age of the patient, how many levels are involved, if instability is present, and how much degeneration is present in the spine.  It would be best to have a spine surgeon fully evaluate you with imaging studies and a physical exam.  There are people that would not qualify for disc replacements and a fusion would be a better option.

Question 10

does degenerative disc disease spread to other parts of the spine?

Accepted Answer

No: It does not spread but can occur at multiple disc spaces.

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Doctor answers about:

Vacuum disc phenomenon in the spine

A member asked:

Ct scan of pelvis- l5/s1 degenerative disc disease with loss of disc height, vacuum phenomena, endplate sclerosis and anterior bridging osteophytes. i have tremendous back pain, time to see a back specialist?

A member asked:

Are spondylosis and osteoarthritis the same thing? what is vacuum disc phenomenon?

A member asked:

My back hurts when i vacuum, mop, bend over to clean bathtub and lift. its on the left side and almost unbearable? what could be the reason and what should i do?

A member asked:

Live in nc and my husband picked up a gate in garage (no dragging) and we noticed black mouse droppings (10ish) he put the gate back. nothing was moved or disturbed. is this an exposure for hantavirus? we didn't sweep or vacuum? we both were standing

A member asked:

What does it mean if the lumbar area of my back hurts so much after doing some vacuuming?

A member asked:

Undiagnosed injury from a backpack vacuum in my upper back clavicle near t2. it's been a year and doctors have no answers. it's one pinpoint spot that stings and burns, makes me unable to turn head or move arm. mri, electromyography and xray normal.

A member asked:

My back xray results: 1.osseous neural foramina are patent 2.limbus vertebrae noted l1 and l2 3. vacuum phenomena noted l2-3 and l3-4 symptoms lower back pain pins and needles in hands should i see a specialist(and what type) or is it not serious?

A member asked:

Herniated disc in spine. now wnat?

A member asked:

Is spine fusing a better option than disc replacement?

A member asked:

Does degenerative disc disease spread to other parts of the spine?

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