My father is a 70 year old cancer patient. He has non-hodgkins lymphoma, and is currently in remission for the 4th time. He has had chronic back pain for about 2 months now and we just found out he has 3 collapsed disc. I understand that surgery is really not an option at this point due to the fact he has had extensive chemo and his bone are weak. The cancer did not cause this problem. I heave heard about a treatment where there is an injection (like glue) that can be injected and sets up lilke a cement to help with the pain. Can you advise on some treatment that might be an option.
While I do not know of the "glue option", I think the main issue here is pain management, not fixing the discs. Surgery is not an option, and to be honest, this procedure may not be either. He shouldn't have to go through more than he has to right now. That being said, please find him a good pain specialist. A good PM would use many different treatments such as meds, injections, PT, ect.
He needs to have his pain controlled while the two of you research his options. Sometimes it can take a while to get and appt, or to find the right doctor for him, so start now! Get him comfortable, then look at the options. It is very tempting to rush into treatments when the pain is severe.
Good luck, and I hope he finds a great doctor that can provide some relief very soon!
I agree, I would ask his doctor 'what would you advise your own father to do?'
He may then say that your dad is going through enough and its more important at this stage to keep him comfortable then to perform a surgery on him. Doctors tend to tell you everything they can do, medically, to help.
The best way I have found to get them to commit to what they would recommend is by asking them straight out what advice they would give their own family, then they will give you a better idea of which way to go.
There is also a back board, you can repost that there if you arent as interested in answers that mostly have to do with pain management.
HI,
I just wanted to say, I have heard of the glue. It is mainly used for older patients who cannot have a spinal fusion. I would do a search on it, But I believe it is done in injections with Flouroscopy instead of an open surgery.
Good Luck,
Stardust
