Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-11-09
If Pain Occurs
In Lower Part
Of the Back
By HERMAN n. BuNDEsEN. MD.

TODAY when 4 physician is con-
frontsd with q case Of pain in the
lower part Of the back he is likely
to think first Of the little cartilage
discs which act as cushions between
the bones Of the spine. He knows
that in this area these bits Of carti-
lags must support . good deal of
weight and are likely to be rup-
tured, with the result that the bones
Of the spine are allowed to press
painfully on the spinal cord.
It Is only recently, however, that
attention has been given to the fact
that the same thing, occurring at
= higher level, may account for
great many cases Of neck and shoul-
der pain.
Support Less Weight
Discs high in the spinal column
support less weight than those low
er down, but, 1t the same time. they
are narrower and more delicately
made. 1t has been found, for in
stance, that the disorder can devel-
op in the neck region following very
minor injuries, such 40 those in
vo}vea in the sudden stopping Of an
autN emlbile or . slight fall.
Tn Jcases are usually charac-
terized by recurring stiff neck, end
pain in the shoulder and arm. The
pain is made worse by sudden move
nient Of the head and neck. There
is often tenderness over the spine,
and there is an increased amount
Of protein found in the spinal fluid.
Sudden stretching Of the neck,
coughing, sneezing, or strain may
aggravate the pain and produce =
feeling like an electric shock shoot
ing into the little finger. There may
be numbness and tingling Of the
thumb and fingers. Often the pain
IL made worse when the patient re-
mains in one position for any length
Of time; thus he may sometimes
have to get out Of bed several times
during the night in an effort to OBJ
tain relief. The patient usually
holds the affected shoulder raised,
and the head may be tilted forward
or towards the involved side.
X-ray examination of the spine
Is helpful in making = diagnosis.
Permanent Relief
In treating this disorder, stretch
ing Of the spine may give perma-
nent relief. II, during the stretching
process, the patient is comfortable
but the pain recurs after the stretch
ing is stopped, = well-ftting brace
around the neck may be employed.
Forcibls movements Of the neck
when there il . ruptured disc is 4
dangerous procedure and may lead
to severe damage to the spinal cord.
II there is pressure on the spinal
cord, or II pain or muscle spasm is
produced after several days Of
stretching, an operation Is usually
advised. At the operation, tho rup-
tursd Or damaged disc is removed.
The outlook for these patients
depends upon the amount Of dam
age which has occurred to the spinal
cord. The numbness, tingling. and
muscle weakness may persist for
some months after an operation.
Ifsymptoms such a. those due to
Q ruptursd disc occur, an immediate
study By an orthopedic specialist
should b carried out. He will de-
tsrmina whether or not this dis
order 10 present and the type Of
treatment that should be employed
for II.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
n. C.: Ny breasts are sore just
before my monthly period. What
can b. done for this! D."
Answer: Painin the breasts which
eetufs just before the menstrual
periods has bsen thought to be due
10 some disturbance In the glands
Of internal secretion; possibly =
lack Of ovarian extract. -
ID *resting this condition. ova-
ristsY 4us may be employed. How
evss, advissbls that such treat
n,sats always be carried out under
ths direction Of . physician.
A. D.: Ny daughter has sores in
{ hsr mouth most .of the time: What
could .eauss, this1
Answer: Ths ccndition Of your
daushtsr's mouth may bs due to-
,canksr sores. allsrsy or sensitivity,
OF. y ,soms typs " infection.
rJatil ~ cAuss b found, proper
'srsatnsat 'ss'ila mt bs advised