Page 70 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 3 | February - March 2024

PURSUING RELIEF IN THAILAND AFTER YEARS OF
UNYIELDING PAIN
Ms. Khiw Khiw Win, a 45-year-old woman from Myanmar, has
endured sciatica pain, which is back pain radiating through both
legs, for a decade. Seeking a solution, she chose to explore treatment MS. KHIW KHIW WIN
at Sukumvit Hospital in Thailand after previous interventions in
Myanmar. She recently underwent an examination, expressing
optimism and hopes for effective relief from the prolonged OPTING FOR A SATISFACTORY TREATMENT
discomfort. METHOD TO AVOID MAJOR SURGERY

“Ten years back, I tried treating my back pain in Myanmar with Having undergone surgery before, Ms. Khiw Khiw Win hesitated to
traditional remedies and visited 3-4 hospitals, but none really worked. undergo another major operation. After consulting with Dr. Poonsak,
So, I decided to check out Sukumvit Hospital, following the advice an expert orthopaedic surgeon and spine specialist at Sukumvit
of a relative who had surgery done by Dr. Poonsak Artamnuayvipas Hospital, she ultimately received treatment through minimally-
before. After the doctor conducted a physical examination, the invasive surgery, utilising advanced endoscopic technology. The
diagnosis revealed that the cause was a herniated disc pressing on doctor explained the procedure as follows.:
three nerve roots. Therefore, the doctor recommended epidural “Four years ago, the patient presented with chronic back pain
adhesiolysis to alleviate the pain, which helps improve the condition radiating down both legs and numbness for a decade. Despite
and significantly reduces the discomfort.
undergoing prior treatments, including laser therapy on the
“But after that, I had a minor accident during exercise, and my intervertebral disc at another hospital, the symptoms persisted.
back pain returned. I decided to undergo treatment once again Consequently, the patient sought treatment at Sukumvit Hospital.
at Sukumvit Hospital with Dr. Poonsak. This time, the doctor At that time, there was also an issue with the intervertebral disc,
recommended a minimally-invasive procedure using endoscopic but it was not severe, so a Epidural Adhesiolysis and Neurolysis
discectomy and decompression to treat a herniated disc. This procedure was performed to provide relief and improvement
method avoids the need for a large incision, leaving only small for around four years. However, the symptoms resurfaced with
scars, and allows for a quicker recovery. Afterwards, I underwent increasing back pain radiating down the legs. Before coming to
continuous physiotherapy for an additional 2-3 months, and my Sukumvit Hospital, the patient had visited other hospitals and
condition improved to almost normal. In the follow-up, the doctor undergone computed tomography (CT) scans. The previous
noted overall progress, despite slight muscle weakness that needs hospital recommended major surgery, but the patient, preferring
exercise and additional therapy.” an alternative approach, sought consultation here.