Hello,
Thank you for your consult at DoctorSpring.
I have read your question with diligence. Five year results with cervical or lumber disc prolapse shows that physical therapy and surgery have equal results. Looking at complete details I will suggest you to guide her for traction therapy and
TENS therapy. This will help in reduction of pain. She will feel more better for long time if she continue this intermittent traction therapy at home also. She should also learn neck strengthening exercises from her therapist.
Hope this all will help her. Please let me know if you have any further queries.
Take care
Patient replied :
Thanks for the helpful information. We will continue traction therapy and neck excercises. But how long the therapy should be taken, does it to be taken for life long? In which cases Doctor's prefer surgery rather than traction therapy? If any special symptoms provoke surgery, would you let us know those symptoms?
You are welcome.If there is continuous abnormal sensations at any part of body,loss of muscle power or weakness,difficulty during urination and defecation then these are red flag signs and surgery is indicated. Only presence of mild pain or intermittent abnormal sensations without any significant involvement of cord or nerve root in MRI can be treated intermittently with conservative therapy for 2-3 times a week.
Hope this will help you. Please let me know if you have any queries.
Patient replied :
One of my questions in the previous query are not answered. How long the traction therapy should be taken, does it to be taken for life long?
If there are no symptoms then you may stop this.This is the reason why I have told you to take it intermittently.
With best wishes.