Magnate
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 2,857
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Magnate
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 2,857
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Traction is certainly worth a try--
--if the loss of disc height is not too severe and the foraminal openings are still somewhat patent (not too close off by disc material or osteophytic spurs). Getting just a little more room in there can make a significant difference as to the severity of symptoms by lessening the chances of frank nerve root compression.
There is a tendency, though, for this to become less effective over time, as bone spurs, in particular, don't shrink by themselves and are likely to grow and compromise more space as time goes on. Eventually, if symptoms become troublesome, some shaving down of these and freeing up of the foraminal spaces (foraminotomy) would be called for, if not more extensive surgery, depending on what else is going on in there.
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