Forgive me if this has been addressed before. My 88-year-old mom recently experienced a compression fracture in her thoracic spine, which was brought on by osteoporosis. She was seen in the hospital ER Annex and was given Tramedol and Lidocaine 4% patch. Regardless, she is in incredible pain. She has an appointment with a neurosurgeon in 2 days, but I honestly don't know if she can make it. I called & left a message for her primary care physician to update & asked for any ideas about pain control. In the meantime, any suggestions out there for what else I can do? She had to be taken by stretcher yesterday to even get to the ED.
The pain was quite bad - she chose not to do the cement injection
Heating pads help now and she gets by on just Tylenol but needed narcotics when in rehab
Try positioning pillows under the thoracic area- sort of off loading pressure on that area if she is lying flat, or position her on her side with pillows to support her back and between her knees- that will help pressure off the spine too.
My guess is she will need a narcotic pain med low dose. Ask her PCP or the neurosurgeon. I feel really sorry for her, poor thing.
Be careful with heating pads as her skin can be very sensitive to heat. I would try repositioning first.
I agree with caretaker13 though...at first, when the back ‘collapses’ and all those nerves are compressed NOTHING alleviates the pain completely but a narcotic is needed, along with a muscle relaxants take the edge off. A warm heating pad helps. But it’s Hell, my sincere sympathy to your mom.
It’s best to see a neurosurgeon, their expertise is needed. I’ve had my back in this bad shape for 5 years. I got a second opinion concerning surgery. I decided the problem was too complicated, my emotional and physical health are not up to surgeries.
There are many theoretical pain relievers that will be offered. For me, after the pain had simmered down some and I was able, I had physical therapy. It helps with strength and stretches help pain.
I’ve had doctors tell me NEVER allow surgeries unless it’s a mini surgery that can be done microscopically.
I wish you and mom the best. The back can heal and if you can find pain management, a tolerable situation can be found.
The lidocaine patches and Tylenol were what helped the most after therapy. She had to take the stronger pain pills in order to manage the pt. Ice and heat helped. Her therapist told her Ice didn’t help everyone but it did her.
Muscle relaxers are also helpful for some.
I admit though that I'm partial to homeopathic remedies and only once have taken stronger medicine, when a feisty, resistant tree broke my jaw.