How to treat pain and bruise on spine?
Patient: I have a bruise on the base of my spine. It has been there for many years. I suffer from extreme back pain and went or a massage the other day. The masseuse asked if i had a spinal tap or epidural as the mark is consistant with that. I know that i havent. What ould it be? Doctor: HI THANKS FOR POSTING YOUR QUERY ON HEALTHCARE MAGIC.I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT FEW SPINAL INJURIES CAN PRESENT LATE ,MAY BE AFTER FEW YEARS AFTER THE INITIAL INSULT..THE THING TROUBLING YOU CURENTLY COULD BE MOST LIKELY A "MISSED/PROLAPSED INTER VERTEBRAL DISC".THIS CAN IMPINGE ON YOUR SPINAL CORD AND PRODUCE SYMPTOMS LIKE LOW SEVERE BACKACHE,TINGLING,NUMBNESS,PARESTHESIAS DOWN THE LIMB.YEARS LATER THEY CAN ALSO PRESENT WITH BOWEL AND BLADDER DISTURBANCES.I SUGGEST YOU AT ONCE THAT YOU UNDERGO AN EARLY MRI(MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING)OF LOWER-LUMBAR SPINE TO ASSESS ANY TRAUMATIC CONTUSION TO THE CORD/HEMATOMAS/SLIPPED DISC/VERTEBRAE.IF FOUND THEY HAVE TO BE TREATED SURGICALLY.MEANWHILE I PRESCRIBE PAINKILLERS LIKE TRAMADOL TO REDUCE YOUR PAIN.CONSULT AN EXPERT NEUROSURGEON AT THE EARLIEST.THANK YOUTAKE CARE.