Introduction

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and fatigue and can be mentally and physically distressing. Fibromyalgia is nothing but fibrous tissue and muscle pain. There will be several symptoms, including muscle soreness, back pain, insomnia, Depression, and fatigue. It is often a misunderstood condition, and doctors most often misdiagnose it. It is estimated to affect approximately 2–4% of the population, and women are affected 3–9 times more than men. Fibromyalgia can profoundly impact the quality of life, and there is currently no cure. If you are looking for the best treatment for fibromyalgia, you should go to Dr Raos hospital, which is best treated by Dr. Rao, the best neurosurgeon, spine surgeon, and spine specialist.

Causes and triggers

There are many assumptions about what causes fibromyalgia, but the exact cause is unknown. However, some risk factors have been identified, including family history, genetic factors, and certain medical conditions. Several associated diseases can occur in fibromyalgia, the most problematic of which are those that affect the heart and lungs. The medical disorders that increase the risk of fibromyalgia are Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Celiac disease, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. 

Symptoms 

Back pain, neck pain, whole body pain, memory and concentration issues, fatigue, refreshing sleep, abdominal pain, headache, constipation, diarrhea, and mood problems. Stress, Sleep deprivation, surgery, repetitive movements, poor posture, trauma, and infection can trigger these flare-ups. Fibromyalgia can lead to muscle deconditioning, spondylosis, disc problems, or spinal stenosis. The pain associated with fibromyalgia is often diffuse and difficult to localize to a nerve segment. 

Fibromyalgia is known for coexisting diseases. These comorbidities can include Anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune diseases, Depression, irritable bowel syndrome, cystitis, irritable bladder, migraine, vulvodynia, pelvic floor dysfunction, orthostatic tachycardia, PTSD, Raynaud’s phenomenon, sleep irregularities, restless leg syndrome, etc.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is difficult in fibromyalgia, as there is no specific test for the condition. Conditions that mimic fibromyalgia symptoms include Anemia, Inflammatory diseases, Rheumatoid arthritis, Muscle disorders, Thyroid dysfunction, Depression and other mood disorders, Nerve damage, Gastrointestinal conditions, and cancers. Of course, a doctor may be able to diagnose fibromyalgia based on symptoms and medical history, along with the exclusion of the other mimics of fibromyalgia. 

Patients can expect blood tests looking at things such as:

1) Blood counts

2) Thyroid function

3) Kidney function

4) Muscle enzymes

5) Electrolytes

6) Blood sugar

7) Liver enzymes

Treatment

There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms. These include medication, exercise, ozone therapy, diet, and relaxation techniques. Certain drugs like NSAIDs, topical ointments, neuromodulators like Gabapentin or Pregabalin, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants are helpful. Surgery is not an option for fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia patients are best treated in a comprehensive pain management program or practice with psychologists and psychiatrists, pain management doctors, physical therapists, and nutritionists.

Prognosis

The prognosis for fibromyalgia is generally good, but the condition can vary significantly from person to person. Some people may experience only mild symptoms, while others may have more severe symptoms that can dramatically impact their quality of life. 

Conclusion

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. However, Dr. Raos Hospital has an excellent track record in treating fibromyalgia and helping patients manage their symptoms. If you have fibromyalgia, it is worth seeking out their expert care. Several treatments can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life. Dr. Raos Hospital is unique in treating fibromyalgia, offering a multidisciplinary approach that includes medical and psychological interventions. Contact us @ 9010056444 or 9010057444 for appointments.

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The best Back Pain treatment in Guntur is Dr Raos

Know your spine

Your spine consists of 33 bones (vertebrae) and 23 shock absorbers (discs), carrying 31  pairs of nerves. The discs have interior gel and exterior, firm cartilage. The spinal column primarily protects the spinal cord and nerves, carrying the weight on its long axis. The spinal column is divided into cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions, or, in layman’s terms, neck, midback, or lower back areas. The neck and lower back are highly mobile, and the middle back is relatively less mobile and is attached to the rib cage and sternum.

In the same way, neck or lower back pain is more common than mid-back pain. Suppose you are looking for a back pain specialist, spine surgeon, or spine neurosurgeon. In that case, your choice is Dr Raos Hospital, the best spine surgery, spinal surgery, or spine specialist hospital in Guntur, India. Call us at 9010056444 or 9010057444. Dr. Rao is the best minimally invasive spine surgeon available in India, and he is the top neurosurgeon in India, according to MIDDAY Newspaper.

The most common reason for mid-back pain is a muscle sprain or strain.

“The most common reason I see people with upper or midback pain is a simple musculoskeletal strain,” says Dr. Mohana Rao Patibandla, CMD, Dr. Raos Hospital, Guntur. Generally, you hurt your back while doing yard work or tennis. Spinal cord injury is also a possibility, but it occurs with injury. Typically, spinal injuries occur in older adults with osteoporosis and young people due to falling from heights.

What are the Symptoms of your mid- or upper back pain?

If you get pain in your upper back following a weekend’s enjoyment, it is most likely a muscle sprain. You may experience:

1. Pain
2. Tenderness to touch
3. Headache
4. Tightness
5. Stiffness

If the pain is secondary to the nerves, bones, or discs of the dorsal spine, you may get symptoms like:

1. Pain down the legs
2. Pain in the lower back
3. Numbness or weakness in your legs
4. Incontinence (bowel and bladder incontinence)

What causes your mid-back or upper back pain?

1. Soft tissue injury like muscle sprain is generally due to everyday behavioral activities, including but not limited to

1. Poor posture
2. Twisting
3. Text neck
4. Lifting improperly
5. Whiplash or other neck injuries
6. Repetitive movements
7. Overuse
8. Carrying too heavy a load
9. Contact sports
10. Wearing an overloaded backpack

2. When you look at the senior population, the list of common causes expands. “In elderly people, we have to consider osteoporosis and compression fractures, as well as the rare occasion of a neoplasm, such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma,” Dr. Rao says. No need to be a senior to experience a problem directly related to your thoracic spine, though.

1. Osteoarthritis
2. Inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis
3. Herniated disc
4. Fracture of a vertebra
5. Osteoporosis
6. Cancers that affect the spine
7. Spinal stenosis

Don’t let that long list of potential, severe conditions alarm you too much. “In younger patients – and when I say young, I mean people up to their mid-60s – it’s most commonly a strain,” Dr. Rao says.

What are the Risk Factors for your mid-back or lower back pain?

1. Acute, unaccustomed work
2. Sedentary lifestyle
3. Psychological depression or anxiety
4. Excess weight or obesity
5. Belly fat
6. Smoking

Smoking – This terrible habit reduces blood flow to the spine, which prevents your back from getting the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Your discs might degenerate because of smoking. In some people, quitting smoking may help restore some of the loss. But even when the discs don’t regenerate, quitting smoking reduces inflammation that causes back pain.

What tests are needed for the diagnosis?

1. Good clinical history – red flags like fever, weight loss, weakness of legs, decreasing sensation over the body or legs, severe pain, bowel or bladder involvement
2. Clinical exam: tenderness, multiple tender bones, weakness, or decreased sensation
3. MRI: If you have “red flags such as a weakness or bowel or bladder incontinence,” you may get more advanced testing like MRI,” Dr. Rao says.
4. They can show herniated disks, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and other problems.
5. Blood tests for infection or inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple myeloma.
6. DEXA scan: Osteoporosis
7. NCS
8. EMG

What kind of management do I need?

Nonoperative or conservative management includes the initial management options like Icing, heating, over-the-counter medication, gentle stretching, restriction of activity for 2 to 3 days but not absolute bed rest, Posture exercises like chin tuck, Imagery, Shoulder blade squeeze, upper back stretch, and prescription medications like muscle relaxants if needed.

Most upper or mid-back pain will subside within three weeks, and nonserious problems will subside within six weeks. Resume your regular activities slowly, and perform and increase activities if you don’t have hurt.

Why do you need surgery as an option?

Surgery – The idea of spine surgery itself is scary, but occasionally it’s the right choice to get relief from symptoms. Surgery is very rarely indicated for isolated upper or mid-back pain.

Indications include –

1. If persistent pain for more than six weeks
2. does not decrease with medications,
3. there are alarming symptoms like weakness, sensory disturbances, or bowel and bladder incontinence.
4. MRI showing disc or cancerous lesions

Surgery Options

1. Kyphoplasty or
2. Vertebroplasty
3. Spinal laminectomy/spinal decompression
4. Microdiscectomy
5. Spinal Fixation and Fusion

How will my back pain repair be?

Pain relief depends on the cause of the pain in the mid-back or upper back.

1. The bad news is some people will never be pain-free. Chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia or spinal stenosis – it’s essential to manage expectations for relief, says Dr. Rao; “The truth is that chronic pain is an emotion, and there is no cure. You can only manage it,” says Rao. That means a combination of physical and mental therapy is required.
2. The excellent news is that that musculoskeletal pain can be greatly improved simply by moving sore muscles more. However, with back pain, especially if you don’t know the cause yet, Dr. Rao warns against doing this on your own.
3. The best news is most back pains get better on their own, even if you do nothing but exercise patience.

When to call your doctor for upper back pain or mid-back pain?

There’s no need to rush to the doctor for an exam for mild upper back soreness that you can link to an activity. When you have upper back pain and other symptoms like leg weakness, decreased sensation, or bowel and bladder control issues, it’s worth calling your doctor to determine the next steps. The thing is, upper back pain affects everyone differently. Partly, that’s because there are so many possible reasons for your upper back (also mid back) pain. The first step in solving your upper back pain problem is understanding why it’s happening. To do that, start with learning your anatomy.

If you are looking for a back pain specialist, spine surgeon, or spine neurosurgeon, your choice is Dr Raos Hospital, the best spine surgery or spine specialist hospital in Guntur and India. Call us at 9010056444 or 9010057444. Dr. Rao is the best minimally invasive surgeon available in India and one of the top neurosurgeons in India, according to the Midday Newspaper.

The best treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis in Guntur Dr Raos

Ankylosing spondylitis is a common form of arthritis that can cause severe pain in the spine. A combination of genetic and environmental factors may be to blame for the chronic condition ankylosing spondylitis. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, discuss treatment options with your doctor, Dr Rao, the best neurosurgeon and spine surgeon in Andhra Pradesh, Guntur, and India. Dr Raos hospital is the best neurosurgery hospital in India, Guntur and Andhra Pradesh provide the best spine surgery, spinal surgery or spine specialist care for ankylosing spondylitis. Call us at 9010056444 or 9010057444 for an appointment.

Definition of ankylosing spondylitis:

Ankylosis means joints fuse and become unmovable, and spondylitis is inflammation involving the spine’s vertebrae and facet joints.

The spine becomes stiff and immobile when vertebrae or other bones/joints fuse. AS commonly involves sacroiliac joints but may affect other joints like the spine and cause kyphosis.

    1. Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that can affect the spine.

    2. The pain associated with ankylosing spondylitis can be severe.

    3. Ankylosing spondylitis is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

B. Demographics of ankylosing spondylitis

    1. Ankylosing spondylitis is most common in men.

    2. Ankylosing spondylitis is also more common in people between the ages of 30 and 60.

C. Causes of ankylosing spondylitis

1. It is believed that a combination of genetic (HLA B27) and environmental factors is what causes ankylosing spondylitis.

    2. Environmental factors that may increase your risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis include your family history and your overall health.

D. Risk factors for ankylosing spondylitis

    1. Age is one of the main risk factors for ankylosing spondylitis.

    2. Other risk factors for ankylosing spondylitis include smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle.

E. Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

1. The classic symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include severe pain in your spine, stiffness, and limited movement.
2. Other symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis can include fatigue, mood swings, and trouble sleeping.
3. Inflammation in key areas. AS could be to blame if you experience discomfort in different parts of your body. The places most often affected by AS include:
4. SI joints
5. Lower back vertebrae
6. Hip and shoulder joints
7. The entheses, or areas where tendons and ligaments attach to bones, are mainly in your spine but sometimes at the back of your heels
8. The cartilage around your ribs and breastbone

F. Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis

    1. Ankylosing spondylitis can often be diagnosed based on your medical history, symptoms, and blood work with HLA B27.

    2. Your doctor may order tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as an x-ray or an MRI.

G. Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis

    1. The goal of treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is to reduce your pain and improve your mobility.

    2. Treatment for ankylosing spondylitis may include physical therapy, medications, and surgery.

1. DMARDs prescribed to treat AS include methotrexate and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
2. Biologics such as adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia), secukinumab (Cosentyx), and ixekizumab (Taltz).
3. Laminectomy
4. Osteotomy
5. Spinal instrumentation and fusion
6. Joint replacement

H. Prognosis of ankylosing spondylitis

    1. The prognosis for ankylosing spondylitis varies based on age, symptoms, and treatment response.

    2. In some people with ankylosing spondylitis, the condition worsens over time.

I. Precautions for ankylosing spondylitis: FIRST AND FOREMOST QUIT SMOKING

    1. take precautions to prevent falls in people with ankylosing spondylitis.

    2. Avoid heavy lifting, which can aggravate ankylosing spondylitis.

    3. Be sure to wear supportive shoes around people with ankylosing spondylitis.

III. Conclusion

Ankylosing spondylitis is a common form of arthritis that can cause severe pain in the spine. A combination of genetic and environmental factors may be to blame for the chronic condition ankylosing spondylitis. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, be sure to discuss treatment options with your doctor, Dr Rao, the best neurosurgeon and spine surgeon in Andhra Pradesh, Guntur, and India. Dr. Raos Hospital is the best neurosurgery hospital in India; Guntur and Andhra Pradesh provide the best spine surgery, spinal surgery, or spine specialist care for ankylosing spondylitis. Call us at 9010056444 or 9010057444 for an appointment.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a pain caused in the back of the leg due to irritation and inflammation secondary to nerve compression. The two most common causes of sciatica are herniated discs or lumbar canal stenosis. 8 out of 10 people’s pain decreases without surgery. Sciatica is a common condition that can cause pain in the lower back and legs. This article will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for sciatica. Dr. Rao’s hospital is the place to go for spine surgery or spinal surgery treatment in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, or India. Dr. Mohana Rao Patibandla is the best spine surgeon in Guntur and Andhra Pradesh.

What is sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the thickest in the back, originating from the lower two lumbar or upper three sacral nerves. The irritation or inflammation leads to nerve pain and is called sciatica. The pain generally starts in the back or gluteals and then goes back to the bottom of the leg. Actual injury to the Sciatic nerve is rare, but the compression leads to pain. Sciatic compression may cause weakness of the leg and foot and tingling or unpleasant sensation in the leg and foot.

What does sciatica pain feel like?

Pain is burning or stabbing or electric or sharp shooting or jolts of pain. Pain may be intermittent or constant, more in the leg than the back, increasing with sitting or standing for a prolonged time, twisting the body, coughing, or sneezing.

Can sciatica occur down both legs?

Generally, bilateral nerve compression is rare but can occur sometimes and may present bilaterally.

Does it take time to develop?

Sciatica may be sudden or gradual.

How common is sciatica?

Back pain is one of the most common complaints to visit the hospital, and there is a 40% chance that every person will feel sciatica in their lifetime.

What are the risk factors for sciatica?

Accident or injury or trauma to the back
Aging
Overweight or obese
Weak core muscles, that is, the abdomen and back
Weight lifting
Prolonged sitting
Poor posture in Gym or workplace
Osteoarthritis
Diabetes
Sedentary lifestyle
Smoking

Is the weight of pregnancy the reason why so many pregnant women get sciatica?

Ligaments loosening due to hormones is the main reason for developing sciatica.

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

What causes sciatica?

A herniated or slipped disk – the most common cause
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Osteoarthritis of aging with bone spurs
Trauma
Tumors
Piriformis syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Pain radiating down the leg
tingling numbness, pins and needles sensation in the legs radiating downwards
pain worsens with movement
Bowel and bladder incontinence

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

Medical History
Straight leg raise test
FABER Test
Spinal X-rays – Flexion and extension
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – will note detailed soft tissue problems, disc desiccation, disc prolapse, and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.
Computed tomography (CT) scans fractures, infection, to know more about bony pathology.
Nerve conduction velocity studies (NCV) or electromyography (EMG)
Myelogram if MRI is contraindicated

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

How is sciatica treated?

The goal of treatment is to increase mobility and decrease pain; 8 out of 10 cases don’t need surgery.

Conservative management or self-care treatments:
Appling ice and hot packs: 20 min of hot or cold packs, switching between the hot and cold several times a day.
Taking over-the-counter medicines: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Performing gentle stretches: Core muscle strengthening

How long can a patient wait to go to a Neurosurgeon?

Every person with sciatic pain is different. Typically, six weeks of conservative management.
Muscle relaxants: cyclobenzaprine, tricyclic antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications.
Physical therapy: Stretching and aerobic exercises
Spinal injections: Corticosteroid and lidocaine mixture

When is surgery considered?

Indication of surgery is alarming symptoms like increasing pain severity even after six weeks, the development of weakness, or bowel or bladder incontinence. A neurosurgeon can do surgery immediately if a patient develops bowel or bladder symptoms or cauda equina syndrome.
The goal of the surgery is to decompress the nerve and stabilize the spine.

Surgical options to relieve sciatica include:
Microdiscectomy
Laminectomy
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

How long does the surgery take, and what’s the typical recovery time?

Laminectomy and Discectomy (endoscopic or microscopic) – generally take one to two hours to perform. Recovery time is around six weeks.

What are the complications of spinal surgery?

Blood clots.
Bleeding.
Infection.
Spinal fluid leak
Nerve damage.
Bladder or bowel control incontinence.

What complications are associated with sciatica?

Developing chronic pain
Foot drop
Loss of feeling in the legs
bowel or bladder disturbance
call the Neurosurgeon immediately if anything develops

PREVENTION

Can sciatica be prevented?

Maintain good posture
Don’t smoke:
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly: strengthen your core
Activities that don’t hurt your back
Keep yourself safe from falls

OUTLOOK / PROGNOSIS

What can I expect if I have been diagnosed with sciatica?

The good news is that it goes on its own. Eight out of 10 people don’t need surgery, improve in the first six weeks, and rarely need surgery.

LIVING WITH

When should I contact my healthcare provider?

Severe leg pain increases even after six weeks, or excruciating pain lasting more than a few hours.
Muscle weakness or Numbness in the same leg.
Bowel or bladder incontinence
Cauda equina syndrome
Trauma
infection

Is the sciatic nerve the only source of “sciatica” pain?

No, upper or lower roots can also cause symptoms and are considered sciatica.

How can I tell if the pain in my hip is a hip issue or sciatica?

FABER test

Is radiculopathy the same as sciatica?

Radiculopathy and sciatica are interchangeable words.

Should I rest if I have sciatica?

2 to 3 days of activity restriction is advised, but not bed rest

Can sciatica cause my leg and ankle to swell?

Yes, it might cause swelling.

Sciatica is a pain in the back of the leg caused by irritation and inflammation secondary to nerve compression. The two most common causes of sciatica are herniated discs and lumbar canal stenosis. Six weeks of conservative treatment will reduce pain in most people. Eight out of 10 people’s pain decreases without surgery. Dr. Rao’s hospital is for spine surgery and spinal surgery treatment in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India. Dr. Mohana Rao Patibandla is the best spine surgeon in Guntur and Andhra Pradesh.